Meet the 2026 Philanthropic 5

All 2026 P5 Award Winners

June 18, 2026

The strongest leaders understand that success isn't built alone, and being a leader in philanthropy means focusing on building stronger, more inclusive, and equitable organizations and communities together. We are fortunate to witness the impact of these individuals every day within our community.

Each year, United Way's Emerging Leaders recognizes and honors community leaders who are dedicated to giving back, getting involved, and taking action for positive change. We celebrate the contributions of these inspiring individuals through our annual Philanthropic 5 and Philanthropic Youth awards. The Philanthropic Youth Award recognizes outstanding youth community leaders under 21 years old.

Meet our 2026 award winners: Marco Briceno, Mallory Deutch, Kat Klawes, Angela Quigley, Ricardo Wynn, and Philanthropic Youth winner, Madeline Peelen.

Join us at this year's event on Wednesday, August 5 at Prairie Springs on Park! Register here.

Thank you to our longtime event sponsor, BMO, and our media sponsor, Milwaukee Business Journal!

Marco Briceno

“Marco is a force multiplier. He doesn't just serve nonprofits – he helps strengthen them. He doesn't just donate – he builds the systems that allow organizations to accept and steward donations responsibly. He doesn't just volunteer – he recruits entire villages of others to join him.”

Marco Briceno is a Senior Territory Manager at Liberty Mutual, where he drives business growth while mentoring underrepresented entrepreneurs and emerging professionals. His commitment to strengthening Milwaukee communities through service and nonprofit leadership reflects in his support of Courage+, and in positions as Board President of the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center and on the board of Pathfinders. In addition, Marco has served as a DECA judge for 14 consecutive years, investing in future business leaders.

Marco’s quiet, humble attitude comes from the moral pillars established during his childhood in Venezuela, which provided insight into understanding that not everyone has the same access to means. He utilizes his experience and education to lift those around him, bringing everyone to the table and creating tangible community change. From small volunteer beginnings at UW-Milwaukee’s LGBTQ Resource Center to coordinating the distribution of Torchbearer grants, his commitment to volunteerism includes more than 1,700 service hours and national recognition for community leadership and impact.

His journey to citizenship and desire to visit his loved ones in Venezuela deepens his understanding of and connection to Safe & Stable Homes. Understanding the hurdles that people face, no matter where they are or what their background is, is core to his efforts in connecting to others and building strong relationships.

As Marco puts it, “To be able to put our best foot forward, to be able to live our most authentic self, we need to have safety first.”

Mallory Deutch

“I count Mallory among the very exceptional few for her talent, integrity, and insistence on questioning how she might be of better service to her community and the things she cares about. She could be passive and choose easy, but she does not and will not. She insists on what’s right and good.”

Mallory Deutch serves as Director of New Advisor Experience at Northwestern Mutual – Downtown Milwaukee, where she is dedicated to shaping the future of financial services through innovative training, mentorship, and leadership of transformative development programs. Mallory’s passion for empowering others is evident in her commitment to nurturing new talent and building a culture of growth and excellence within her organization.

Beyond her professional achievements, Mallory is deeply committed to philanthropy, a value she holds close, inspired by her mother and a lifelong belief in the power of community and family. Her impact is felt across causes ranging from women’s leadership and education to healthcare and cultural inclusion. She actively supports and leads initiatives with a diverse array of organizations, including TEMPO Milwaukee, Forward 48, St. Joan Antida, Horizon Home Care & Hospice, Special Spaces, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, and The International Institute of Wisconsin.

Mallory’s dedication to giving back extends to the animal community as well as a supporter of the humane society. Together with her beloved dog, Latte, they spread joy, comfort, and inspiration, reminding everyone they meet of the happiness that comes from kindness and the importance of giving back. For Mallory, Latte is not only a loyal companion but also a source of daily inspiration, embodying the spirit of unconditional love and generosity that Mallory strives to bring to both her personal and professional life.

As to why Mallory gives back, she explains, “Giving back makes you feel good on the inside. It makes you grateful and appreciative.”

Kat Klawes

“Kat consistently shows up for others with compassion, humility, and a deep sense of purpose. Whether she is creating space for difficult conversations, educating individuals on advocacy, or supporting survivors in finding their voice, she leads with heart and intention.”

Kat Klawes works with 350 Wisconsin and Wisconsinites for Environmental Justice, advancing climate justice efforts focused on pollution accountability, public health, and community-driven solutions. Her passion for community impact is grounded in her work alongside survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and sex trafficking. She is the founder of Survivor Shoulders, a survivor-led support group focused on peer connection and healing, works closely with Lotus Legal Clinic, and has partnered with organizations including NAMI, Aurora Healing Center, and Beyond 4 Walls.

Kat is a nonprofit leader, advocate, and organizer dedicated to building safer, healthier, and more equitable communities across Wisconsin. Drawing from both professional and lived experience, she has advocated for survivor-centered systems that expand access to safety, justice, and long-term support.

Support for survivors goes beyond groups and advocacy. For Kat, it’s about helping people navigate complex, unfamiliar systems and giving power to those with lived experience in the decisions that shape their lives. Through Surviving Shoulders, Kat has helped thirty-four people leave unsafe situations and stay safely housed. She holds this honor with a quiet, understated pride.

Philanthropy to Kat is, “not just about giving, but about changing systems that cause harm.”

Angela Quigley

“Angela leads by example, inspiring others to become active in their communities through her consistent action. Her commitment to service has made her a trusted mentor, and she shares her knowledge generously.”

Angela Quigley is co-owner of Married In Milwaukee, Metro Milwaukee’s to resource and publication for weddings. She sits on various nonprofit boards and committees including Radio Milwaukee and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County’s Pride United donor network, and she regularly volunteers for local organizations including Guest House of Milwaukee, League of Women Voters, PERSISTers, Pathfinders, Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation, and many more.

Beyond her entrepreneurial drive, Angela is a lifelong Milwaukeean committed to making her hometown the best place it can be. Her passion for giving back has always started with a deep level of empathy, acknowledging that everyone has both seen and unseen struggles with their own stories to tell, like those who she meets while volunteering at Project Homeless Connect. Angela is a community advocate, volunteer, and civically engaged citizen, leading first with positive intent and following through with acts that are rooted in democracy and engaging government leaders, which directly supports Safe & Stable Homes.

Peace and love most motivate Angela, with John Lennon’s song “Imagine” resonating in her heart. Instead of believing that positive change is unachievable, she strives to answer the question, “Why do we think it’s unachievable?” and focuses her efforts on attainable positive change in our community and beyond.

Her advice to anyone looking to make a difference: “Giving back to your community, even in small ways, is a win for us all. And while you can't do everything, you can do something. Put good into the world every day!”

Ricardo d. Wynn

“Ricardo’s leadership is defined by how he engages others. He listens with intention, builds trust, and creates pathways for individuals to contribute and lead. His ability to move from listening to implementation is one of his strongest leadership qualities and a key reason his work resonates so deeply.”

Ricardo D. Wynn serves as Community Engagement Manager for the Milwaukee County Office of Equity, where he leads initiatives focused on building trust, civic participation, community partnerships, and expanding access to essential resources.

Ricardo is a public health and community engagement leader with a dedication to advancing equity, access, and opportunity for underserved communities across Wisconsin. His leadership also extends to over a decade of leading youth-focused initiatives within Milwaukee’s LGBTQ+ Ballroom community. nonprofit governance and advocacy, serving on the boards of the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center and the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project, where he serves as Vice President, and recently completed service on the Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin board.

Community impact matters deeply to Ricardo, and he is passionate about creating spaces where people feel supported, connected, empowered to thrive, and ready to take the next step. He views his own story and continued education as a ladder: there are steps to take and it's not always glamorous, but it is how we elevate ourselves and our future. Ricardo's commitment to celebrating someone’s journey, not just their success, comes from his belief that his purpose is to help build on the foundations set by the generations before us.

On philanthropy, Ricardo reflects that, “Philanthropy is understanding that you are supporting causes. Whether that’s contributing financially, or to the advancement, or the awareness, or to the marketing of the cause, you are supporting causes.”

Philanthropic Youth - Madeline Peelen

“Maddy says ‘yes’ to using her gifts to support the greater community. She is creative and has fun ideas for how to make events happen as well as putting in the time to actually execute those ideas. That integrity and dedication is the heart of a true youth leader.”

Madeline Peelen is a rising junior at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School who is passionate about service, science, and environmental stewardship. She regularly volunteers in the labor and delivery and postpartum care units at Ascension St. Joseph Hospital, supporting patients and families while gaining experience in a healthcare setting. The impact in helping families in the hospital gives Madeline a greater sense of purpose.

Madeline has also led service initiatives benefiting children and families across the greater Milwaukee area, including organizing donations of dental hygiene “tooth fairy” bags for local shelters and food pantries. At school, she spends time assisting in the science labs after hours and serves as co-president of DSHA’s Eco Club, where she helps plan environmental initiatives for the school community.

Her passion for environmental science extends beyond the classroom. This summer, Madeline will volunteer with children’s camps at the Milwaukee County Zoo, and she hopes to continue serving in local community gardens throughout her junior year as she prepares for a future in environmental science. No matter where Madeline is volunteering, her dedication to service begins with her faith. She believes that the intersection of faith and philanthropic efforts is where we can truly make a difference.

According to Madeline, “Service is incredibly important to me because it allows me to build my character and give back to my community. I have developed a deeper interest in philanthropy because it’s something that anyone can do, requiring no skills, talents, or prior knowledge, except a good amount of compassion.”