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Emerging Leaders

Leaders in their 20s, 30s, and 40s who are looking to be inspired and inspire others to embrace causes centered around education.

Emerging Leaders are the next generation of professionals who want to make a difference in our community.

Changing Lives

This network has always been a champion of students, specifically around literacy. Their Emerging Readers program was a staple of the group for many years.

Beginning in 2023, their larger focus is on supporting the Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership. This priority is all about transforming schools into places where educators, local community members, families, and students work together to strengthen conditions for student learning and healthy development.

Member Benefits

You can be part of creating lasting change in our community for so many in need. In addition, you can:

Grow your professional network, build new relationships, and partner with likeminded philanthropists and community leaders.
Attend special events like:
- Philanthropic 5 Awards, which recognizes community leaders that have made extraordinary commitments of leadership, volunteerism, and philanthropy.
- Leadership Panels, which offers networking opportunities for local professionals while engaging in conversations on important topics.
- Day of Action, a global volunteer event that occurs annually where thousands of people in more than 400 communities across the world volunteer with their local United Way.

Become a Member Today

If your employer runs a United Way workplace campaign, please give $1,200+ through your workplace. All other donors click “Donate Now & Join” to open a new page and start your online donation. You will need to create a username and password so you can make your gift today.

Donate Now & Join

Council Members

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Emerging Leader Council Co-chairs

professional head shot of Zach St Martin

Zach St. Martin, We Energies

professional head shot of Ashley A Smith

Ashley A. Smith, Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.

head shot of Joshua Smith

Joshua Smith, A.O. Smith Corporation

Emerging Leader Council Members

Lindsey Ashenden, ManpowerGroup

Brian Bulgrin, Deloitte LLP

Christopher Eichner, Froedtert Health

Maricha Harris, Dominican Center

Rachel Idso, Amazon

Kadie Jelenchick, Foley & Lardner LLP

Dana Johnson, Marcus Hotels & Resorts

Brandon Krajewski, Quarles

Alex Lackore, EY

Ginger Lazovik, Falk Ruvin Gallagher – Keller Williams

Matthew Moore, PwC

Devon Norwood, Baird

Bethany Seeboth, Froedtert Health

Sarah Tilkens, GE Healthcare

Jacqueline Whelan, Children's Wisconsin

Chad Winters, HUB International

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Happenings & Impact

group of past philanthropic five award winners

Philanthropic 5 Awards

This award recognizes leader in their 20s, 30s, or 40s who is making a difference in our local community.

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Day of Action

Join United Way's Emerging Leaders to celebrate the annual nation-wide volunteer event.

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Leadership Panels

Join Emerging Leaders to learn how Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership is strengthening neighbors families, students, and the community.

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Related Blogs

Photos of group of 2023 Philanthropic 5 award honorees

Meet the 2023 Philanthropic 5

Meet our 2023 award winners: Ayrton Bryan, DeShanda Clark, Robyn Ludtke, Sharlen Moore, Micah Ogé, and Philanthropic Youth winner Deisy España.

Photos of group of 2022 Philanthropic 5 award honorees

Meet the 2022 Philanthropic 5

Meet our 2022 award winners: Katie Cummings, Marquayla Ellison, Rachel Hunter, Angela Pecoraro, Nick Welle, and Philanthropic Youth winner Amira Adams.

Picture of Margy Stratton with a student and a book.

Helping Children Cultivate a Lifelong Love of Books

Margy Stratton founded Emerging Readers, a program to connect kids with books.

Meet the 2021 Philanthropic 5

Meet our 2021 award winners: Mark Boergers, Caitlin Cullen, Clintel Hasan, James Madlom, Bob Van Himbergen, and Philanthropic Youth winner Anya Ramos.

Meet the 2020 Philanthropic 5

Help us celebrate these individuals at our awards event on Thursday, August 8.

Meet the 2019 Philanthropic 5

Help us celebrate these individuals at our awards event on Thursday, August 8.

Podcast: Meet the P5! August Ball

Welcome to our final episode in 2018 Philanthropic Five interview series. Today we talk with August Ball, founder of Cream City Conservation. August is passionate about giving diverse youth opportunities to explore their interests in environmental fields as well as encouraging diversity in local workplaces, so she combined these interests into her dream job.

Podcast: Meet the P5! Dan Sweeney

Today I talk with P5 winner Dan Sweeney. Dan works in community development at Wells Fargo – a job he loves and one that allows him to partner with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity to strengthen the communities in which Wells Fargo operates. Dan is also a board member of LISC and Historic Milwaukee.

Podcast: Meet the P5! Kris Havlik

Today we talk with Kris Havlik, one of our 2018 Philanthropic Five award winners. An estate planning attorney with Foley & Lardner, Kris was part of the effort to bring Wills for Heros to Wisconsin. Wills for Heroes is a national program started after September 11, 2001, to provide free estate planning to first responders.

Podcast: Meet the P5! Ranell Washington

Welcome to part two of our 5 with the 5 interview series with the impressive, thoughtful, and fascinating 2018 Philanthropic 5 award winners. Winner Ranell Washington is a finance professional with Town Bank. In addition to his day job, Ranell is co-founder of Social X, a young professional organization committed to drawing diverse talent to Milwaukee and encouraging them to call this city home.

Podcast: Meet the P5! Kelsey Brenn

Today I’ll talk with United Way Philanthropic 5 winner Kelsey Brenn of St. Augustine Preparatory Academy. Kelsey is the school’s CFO by day, and fills the rest of her time with community-focused activities…and a lot of exercise.

Meet the 2018 Philanthropic 5 Winners!

Each year, United Way's Emerging Leaders honor five community leaders and one Philanthropic Youth winner for their commitment to the community through the Philanthropic Five awards.

It’s Never too Early – or too Late – to Start Volunteering!

Jason Parry and his family have made a summer tradition of volunteering at United Way's annual Day of Action.

Podcast: Leadership Panel on Innovation & Automation in the Workforce

What will your job look like in 5 years? How about 10? 20? Innovation and automation in the workforce was the topic at hand at a recent Leadership Panel, put on by United Way’s Emerging Leaders and IT United Donor Networks, and generously hosted by GE Healthcare.

Meet United Way Board Chair Cory Nettles

Cory Nettles, founder and managing director at Generation Growth Capital, Inc., was recently named chairman of the board for United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County and will serve a two-year term. Cory, who has been involved with United Way for his entire professional life, took a moment to share his passion with us.

Fall in Love with Your Community in October!

Fall is officially here! Grab your Pumpkin Spice Latte and come do some good with United Way this month.

Teen Nonprofit Leader Encourages a Love of Writing in Kids

Katie Eder discovered her passion for creative writing at a young age. Now, she runs a nonprofit to empower kids to write, edit, and publish their own stories.

Go Do Good in August!

Summer is in full swing! Here are some fun ways to Live United in August.

Congratulations to our 2016 P5 Winners!

Meet the winners of the 2016 Philanthropic 5 (P5) Awards.

United Way Honors Inspiring Young Professionals

Congratulations to our 2015 PY Award Winner!

United Way has nominated Gopika SenthilKumar, recent graduate of Brookfield Central High School, to receive the inaugural 2015 Philanthropic Youth (PY) award.

Once You Learn to Read, You Will Be Forever Free

Last year when I discovered the Emerging Readers Program at United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, I knew I needed to be a part of it.

Congratulations to our 2015 P5 Winners!

Meet the winners of the 2015 Philanthropic 5 (P5) Awards.

Day of Action Sets a Worldwide Example

Over 100 volunteers and families from the 4-county region helped make an impact towards improving academic success during United Way’s Day of Action on June 19, 2015.

2014 P5 Winners: Meet Derek

Meet Derek who’s passion and advocacy for people in the community runs deep. “A true example of the impact behind giving of time, talent and treasure.”

2014 P5 Winners: Meet Griselda

This year, United Way honored five outstanding community leaders for their commitment to making Milwaukee a better place. Each week, we’d like you to get to know each one better, starting with Griselda.

Congratulations to our 2014 P5 Winners

Meet the 2014 Philanthropic 5 Award Winners!

Career Advice from the 2014 P5 Award Winners

What's the best advice each of the 2014 P5 winners have received? What would they like to share with the next generation?

2008 P5 Winner Q&A

Catch up with past Philanthropic 5 Winners

Get Involved

For more information about joining the Emerging Leader program, please contact Kristen Hagen via email or at 414.263.8190.