Matthew J. Merrill has over 20 years of experience in youth development and nonprofit leadership. He has degrees in Public Relations and Broadcast Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since leaving his first career at the YMCA and his home state of Wisconsin in 2015, he has served as the Director of Development and Grant Writer for Chicago Children's Theatre, one of the nation's premier professional theatre companies for young audiences and their families. In addition to writing, theatre, and youth work, Matt has run more than 12 marathons and remains passionate and loyal to his Wisconsin sports teams. He lives in Chicago with his wife Martha, two children Harper and Cooper, and two dogs Luna and Milligan. RIP Charley, our first and forever pup.