In March, MSOE alumnus Kermiath McClendon ‘12 was inducted into the distinguished Masterminds cohort of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). Every year, the Masterminds are recognized for their exceptional work as leaders in the community for their work that aligns with UNCF’s mission to provide equal access to higher education for underrepresented students in the United States. Kermiath’s induction is a culmination of the work he’s done for the city of Milwaukee since graduating from MSOE.

Kermiath was born and raised in Milwaukee and earned an associate degree in business management from the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC). “I pursued further education to deepen my understanding of small business and economic development, aiming to support the local businesses in my community that were struggling to survive. I wanted to uncover what was missing for them.”

He found MSOE while attending a job fair on its campus just before completing his degree at MATC. He met the administrator for the MSOE School of Business and learned about its robust program and placement rate of graduates. Encouraged by his family and peers at MATC, Kermiath enrolled at MSOE to pursue his undergraduate degree in business administration with a focus on finance management.

As a student, Kermiath was able to develop many skills through collaborative projects and hands-on experiences. “The most memorable team project I participated in was the CFA Institute Research Challenge in Madison during my financial analyst class. This challenge allowed us to work alongside a financial CPA portfolio manager and even meet the CFO of Marcus Corp., the company our team was evaluating. Although we did not win, the experience was invaluable and unforgettable .”
After graduating from MSOE, Kermiath started his career involved in socioeconomic impact in the Milwaukee area. He worked in multiple sectors of business, including corporate, nonprofit, public, insurance, investment and philanthropy. Kermiath joined the Greater Milwaukee Foundation in 2020 and has flourished in his career as the impact investing manager. In this role, he oversees the social impact investing program, advancing community development by providing affordable access to capital.
One project that he’s particularly proud of being involved with is the introduction of the ThriveOn Small Business Loan program, designed to help local businesses in low-to-moderate-income Milwaukee neighborhoods. These loans support businesses who were hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Since the launch, we have completed three cycles of the program, investing a total of $1.8 million in 38 businesses at low, favorable interest rates. Additionally, we offer monthly business coaching to support these businesses in achieving their goals and addressing operational needs.”

Outside of his work at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Kermiath also serves as a member of MSOE’s Alumni Association Board. Over the last six years, he’s helped enhance alumni participation and provided mentorship to current students on campus. In 2024, Kermiath also became one of the founding members of the W. Wallace Cannon Society, MSOE’s first Black alumni society.

Kermaith has always believed in the power of investing in people and looking out for others, making sure to pave the way for them to achieve their goals. His advice to MSOE students applies to their personal as well as their professional growth: “Do your best to cultivate your relationships reciprocally. As you advance in your career, ensure you support the development of others, especially younger colleagues. Finally, identify your values and the ‘why’ behind what you do. Both will guide and push you in challenging times.”

As a 2025 Mastermind, Kermiath also plans to continue his work making an impact in the city of Milwaukee by supporting the areas that need it the most. His goals include increasing the number of UNCF scholarships awarded to Milwaukee students, enhancing UNCF participation among local fraternities and sororities and developing a local UNCF fundraising strategy.