Chris Wyttenbach | Trinity Fellow 2006-08 | by Lisa Roman
Businessmen and tourists stop to grab their morning must at the Ambassador Hotel’s Caffe Deco in Milwaukee. A young barista systematically fills each order, though not always correctly. Mixing up decaf and regular coffee. It could happen to any new worker. But only Chris Wyttenbach, determined and creative, could turn his trouble into innovation. He created a signature drink, the “Mochabach,” with four shots of espresso, steamed soy milk and mocha.
“I don’t think anyone ever ordered it – but it was always on the menu,” says Wyttenbach, whose barista career ended shortly thereafter. Nine years later, Wyttenbach is sitting in the same cafe. Sipping on his large coffee topped with soymilk, he smiles at the memory.
When not concocting caffeine creations, Wyttenbach studied public service with a nonprofit specialization thanks to Trinity Fellows, a graduate school program at Marquette University, down the street from the Ambassador.
“If you’re looking for a quality school, quality education, some real practical experience in the nonprofit space, I don’t think there is a better opportunity out there,” he says of Trinity.
It is a rigorous, 21-month work-study program that allows students to earn a master’s degree while working at a nonprofit in Greater Milwaukee. The program accepts 10 fellows a year. Applicants must have completed two years of service after their undergraduate studies and be interested in the promotion of justice and faith through service.
“I was challenged in the classroom setting,” Wyttenbach said. “But most importantly to me, everyone that was there cared about service, cared about giving back. They all showed it in different ways [but] that’s what motivated these folks.”
In 2006, Wyttenbach was assigned to be the communication coordinator at the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. “Having experience with the downtown YMCA with their mentoring program, I kind of found my path and [Trinity gave me] the tools to succeed at that path,” he said.
After graduation, Wyttenbach continued his path of service by directing Athletes for Hope. The nonprofit is based in Bethesda, Maryland, but he still lives in Milwaukee as he facilitates the involvement of professional and Olympic athletes with local charities.
“It is my objective to connect them to positive, impactful and charitable opportunities,” Wyttenbach says. He enjoys his work. It covers the broad spectrum of ways to make a difference. This is something he has always had difficulty pinpointing. “It doesn’t matter what you do,” he said he believes. “Do what you want. Just do good.”
Sitting in the café, Wyttenbach enjoys his venti coffee as he talks about his wife and their two small children. He spent his youth in Milwaukee and is raising his own family in the city he calls home. He’s wearing a patterned button-up with a navy sweater, though his usual work attire is jeans and a t-shirt. “I work from my kitchen island. I flip open my laptop, and there you go.”
Although the kids and clutter occupy his office space, his work is pristine. Going on his sixth year with Athletes for Hope, Wyttenbach understands the need to give back. He began volunteering his senior year at nearby Pius XI High School. He did a semester of service called the Big Buddy Program. Paired with an elementary student at St. Anthony’s School of Milwaukee, every week Wyttenbach would help his buddy with his math and reading homework.
“I really enjoyed it,” he says. “I think that, to be honest, it kind of put me on my path as to what I wanted to do professionally, but also personally. How I wanted to live my life.”
Next he went to school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He graduated with degrees in legal studies, political science and sociology. Continuing his service path, he decided to work with autistic children while in college, teaching area children basic language skills to better interact with others. “I loved it. I’m still in touch with the kids that I worked with.”
One of them, now 24 years old, even attended his wedding.
Wyttenbach knew he wanted to join Peace Corps while in college. This international service organization sends volunteers to “tackle the most pressing needs of people around the world,” according to its website. Wyttenbach wanted to serve others – and the uncertainty of where he would go drew him to the program. He spent two years after graduation in Morocco.
“I finished, got my degrees, said my goodbyes and that was that,” Wyttenbach says.
As director of Athletes for Hope, he talks with world-class athletes to learn about their interests and what they care about. He then recommends organizations in which the athlete might be best matched. The athlete then takes steps to get involved with the organization.
Prospective USA Olympian hammer thrower Britney Henry heard Wyttenbach speak at an annual USA Track and Field meeting in 2009. She came away thinking that he and Athletes for Hope “truly care about their mission” and want to help athletes help others.
“I have always wanted to volunteer my time to something that I was passionate about, but I never knew how to go about it,” Henry stated in an email. She said Wyttenbach helps “get you in contact with who you are passionate about and set up times and places for events to happen.”
Henry has volunteered monthly at a children’s hospital in San Diego the past four years.
“During the visit, I hand out stuffed animals and other games that kids love,” she said. “I also take my hammer along to show the kids what I do and what I work toward each day.”
Wyttenbach hopes to expand Athletes for Hope to college athletes. He is working with the University of Virginia women’s rowing team and Louisiana State University’s football team. “I work with the athletes directly,” he said. “We try to do projects that are impactful and make the world a better place.”
“I don’t think anyone ever ordered it – but it was always on the menu,” says Wyttenbach, whose barista career ended shortly thereafter. Nine years later, Wyttenbach is sitting in the same cafe. Sipping on his large coffee topped with soymilk, he smiles at the memory.
When not concocting caffeine creations, Wyttenbach studied public service with a nonprofit specialization thanks to Trinity Fellows, a graduate school program at Marquette University, down the street from the Ambassador.
“If you’re looking for a quality school, quality education, some real practical experience in the nonprofit space, I don’t think there is a better opportunity out there,” he says of Trinity.
It is a rigorous, 21-month work-study program that allows students to earn a master’s degree while working at a nonprofit in Greater Milwaukee. The program accepts 10 fellows a year. Applicants must have completed two years of service after their undergraduate studies and be interested in the promotion of justice and faith through service.
“I was challenged in the classroom setting,” Wyttenbach said. “But most importantly to me, everyone that was there cared about service, cared about giving back. They all showed it in different ways [but] that’s what motivated these folks.”
In 2006, Wyttenbach was assigned to be the communication coordinator at the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee. “Having experience with the downtown YMCA with their mentoring program, I kind of found my path and [Trinity gave me] the tools to succeed at that path,” he said.
After graduation, Wyttenbach continued his path of service by directing Athletes for Hope. The nonprofit is based in Bethesda, Maryland, but he still lives in Milwaukee as he facilitates the involvement of professional and Olympic athletes with local charities.
“It is my objective to connect them to positive, impactful and charitable opportunities,” Wyttenbach says. He enjoys his work. It covers the broad spectrum of ways to make a difference. This is something he has always had difficulty pinpointing. “It doesn’t matter what you do,” he said he believes. “Do what you want. Just do good.”
Sitting in the café, Wyttenbach enjoys his venti coffee as he talks about his wife and their two small children. He spent his youth in Milwaukee and is raising his own family in the city he calls home. He’s wearing a patterned button-up with a navy sweater, though his usual work attire is jeans and a t-shirt. “I work from my kitchen island. I flip open my laptop, and there you go.”
Although the kids and clutter occupy his office space, his work is pristine. Going on his sixth year with Athletes for Hope, Wyttenbach understands the need to give back. He began volunteering his senior year at nearby Pius XI High School. He did a semester of service called the Big Buddy Program. Paired with an elementary student at St. Anthony’s School of Milwaukee, every week Wyttenbach would help his buddy with his math and reading homework.
“I really enjoyed it,” he says. “I think that, to be honest, it kind of put me on my path as to what I wanted to do professionally, but also personally. How I wanted to live my life.”
Next he went to school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He graduated with degrees in legal studies, political science and sociology. Continuing his service path, he decided to work with autistic children while in college, teaching area children basic language skills to better interact with others. “I loved it. I’m still in touch with the kids that I worked with.”
One of them, now 24 years old, even attended his wedding.
Wyttenbach knew he wanted to join Peace Corps while in college. This international service organization sends volunteers to “tackle the most pressing needs of people around the world,” according to its website. Wyttenbach wanted to serve others – and the uncertainty of where he would go drew him to the program. He spent two years after graduation in Morocco.
“I finished, got my degrees, said my goodbyes and that was that,” Wyttenbach says.
As director of Athletes for Hope, he talks with world-class athletes to learn about their interests and what they care about. He then recommends organizations in which the athlete might be best matched. The athlete then takes steps to get involved with the organization.
Prospective USA Olympian hammer thrower Britney Henry heard Wyttenbach speak at an annual USA Track and Field meeting in 2009. She came away thinking that he and Athletes for Hope “truly care about their mission” and want to help athletes help others.
“I have always wanted to volunteer my time to something that I was passionate about, but I never knew how to go about it,” Henry stated in an email. She said Wyttenbach helps “get you in contact with who you are passionate about and set up times and places for events to happen.”
Henry has volunteered monthly at a children’s hospital in San Diego the past four years.
“During the visit, I hand out stuffed animals and other games that kids love,” she said. “I also take my hammer along to show the kids what I do and what I work toward each day.”
Wyttenbach hopes to expand Athletes for Hope to college athletes. He is working with the University of Virginia women’s rowing team and Louisiana State University’s football team. “I work with the athletes directly,” he said. “We try to do projects that are impactful and make the world a better place.”