Be Part of Shaping Education in Milwaukee and Your Future Workforce

BizTimes Media’s Milwaukee Education Spotlight event will introduce and connect high-performing schools in Milwaukee and their leaders with the broader business community in the region. It will feature education and business leaders and schools that are having success across education sectors. They will share insights about what works, existing challenges and how businesses can become more involved.

On Thursday, February 29, 2024 business leaders from around the region, educators and nonprofits gathered for the second annual Milwaukee Education Spotlight.

This event builds bridges between the worlds of business and education. Attendees learned best practices for partnerships between business and schools, how to help support educators in Milwaukee and had an opportunity to share what business leaders need from their future employees.

• Dale Kooyenga, President, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) [1]
• Allison Wagner, Executive Director, All-In Milwaukee [2]

• Andy Stith (3), President, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School + Angie Sandoval (4), Community
  Involvement Analyst, Johnson Control
• Blanca Gonzales (5), Executive Director, i.c.stars + Sarah Dollhausen-Clark (6), Assistant
  Director of Talent Partnerships & Pipelines, Northwestern Mutual

Moderator: Arthur Thomas, Managing Editor, BizTimes Media

• Hank Kohl (7), President & CEO, MPE Inc. + Amy Levek (8), Principal, Whitefish Bay High School
• Danny McCormick (9), Director of Career Programs and Partnerships, Carmen Schools of Science
  & Technology + Kari Conradt (10), President, Amplify Graphics & Branding

Moderator: Arthur Thomas, Managing Editor, BizTimes Media

TABLE #1: St. Augustine Preparatory Academy

Aug Prep is a beacon of hope. With our focus on excellence in academics, college, and career readiness, diverse extracurriculars, and leadership development, Aug Prep students are poised to transform Milwaukee’s future.

Table Hosts

• Abby Andrietsch, St. Augustine Preparatory Academy
• Julie Tolan, Lauber Partners

TABLE #2: Milwaukee Academy of Science

The intersection of education and workforce is being reimagined at MAS. Join MAS and Milwaukee Tool for a discussion on their partnership and the possibilities that exist for your company.

Table Hosts

• Anthony McHenry, Milwaukee Academy of Science
• Brianne Stewart, Milwaukee Tool

TABLE #3: Hmong American Peace Academy

The Hmong American Peace Academy is the first Wisconsin Public Charter School serving 1,900 students, providing a high-quality education while honoring and preserving their Hmong heritage.

Table Hosts

• Chris Her-Xiong, Hmong American Peace Academy
• Jason Handel, Northwestern Mutual

TABLE #4: St. Joan Antida High School

At St. Joan Antida High School, our diverse all-girl student body develops the whole person in career pathways focused on healthcare, engineering, and/or business to become leaders in Milwaukee.

Table Hosts

• Marikris Coryell, St. Joan Antida High School
• Tim Anheuser, Kapur and Associates, Inc.

TABLE #5: i.c.stars

We offer intensive training and a two-year practicum. Through project-based learning, our stars work in teams to solve a range of real-world problems. They work with our corporate partners to cultivate leadership skills, learn civics, and develop a community-first mindset.

Table Hosts

• Blanca Gonzales, i.c.stars
• Sarah Dollhausen-Clark, Northwestern Mutual

TABLE #6: GPS Education Partners

The employability and character skills our students learn prepare them to be career- and college-ready. As students graduate with industry certifications, businesses gain a more immediate robust, diverse, and innovative talent pipeline.

Table Hosts

• Jeremy Joecks, GPS Education Partners
• Amy Levek, Whitefish Bay High School
• Hank Kohl, MPE Inc.

TABLE #7: SHARP Literacy

SHARP Literacy is a transformative force for elementary education in underserved neighborhoods. With our unique blend of art, technology infused workshops and project-based learning, SHARP is shaping the next generation.

Table Hosts

• Tamela Smith, SHARP Literacy
• Jim Mueller, Brown & Brown

TABLE #8: All-In Milwaukee

The All-In Milwaukee promise is to support limited-income, diverse students to complete college, build their careers and transform Milwaukee.  We are building the future diverse workforce of our city while reversing the brain drain.

Table Hosts

• Allison Wagner, All-In Milwaukee
• Ray Manista, Northwestern Mutual

TABLE #9: College Possible

College Possible advances equitable education and economic mobility primarily through two initiatives: College Access programming for high school juniors and seniors, and College Success coaching for college students.

Table Host

• Marco Morrison, College Possible

TABLE #10: Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School uses an innovative work-study program, partnering with over 100 Milwaukee-area organizations, to develop the future workforce for Milwaukee and provide a comprehensive education to students from families with limited financial means.

Table Hosts

• Andy Stith, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
• Angie Sandoval, Johnson Controls

TABLE #11: Carmen Schools of Science & Technology

Carmen Schools of Science & Technology is more than a school network; we are a community of educators, students, and families working together to inspire, innovate, and ignite the potential within young people.

Table Hosts

• Danny McCormick, Carmen Schools of Science & Technology
• Kari Conradt, Amplify Graphics,

TABLE #12: Milwaukee Public Schools, Internship and Youth Apprenticeship Program

The Milwaukee Public Schools work-based learning program provides work-readiness and employment opportunities for all students. In collaboration with businesses, students gain hands-on experiences to be future ready.

Table Hosts

• Emily Brown, Milwaukee Public Schools, Internship and Youth Apprenticeship Program
• Jennifer Buchanan, We Energies

TABLE #13: Milwaukee College Prep

MCP is closing the opportunity gap in Milwaukee. Our scholars demonstrate significantly higher proficiency in ELA and math compared to their Milwaukee-area peers. Our schools are recognized by Wisconsin DPI as “exceeding expectations”.

Table Hosts

• Al Keith, Milwaukee College Prep
• Leslie Dixon, Baird (retired)

TABLE #14: Seton Catholic Schools

Seton Catholic Schools give Milwaukee students a running start spiritually, intellectually, and socially.  We enable the achievement of high expectations through our high performing schools.

Table Hosts

• Brian Couch, Seton Catholic Schools
• Jim Stern, A. O. Smith Corporation

TABLE #15: Center For Urban Teaching

CfUT’s person first, calling over career, experiential training has achieved the highest teacher retention rate and continues to increase the number of teachers and leaders serving annually despite industry trends.

Table Hosts

• Krysta DeBoer, Center For Urban Teaching
• Craig Shuler, DigiCOPY
• John Mullins, DigiCOPY

TABLE #16: 3DE BY Junior Achievement of Wisconsin

3DE by Junior Achievement revolutionizes high school education, connecting classroom learning to the real world, proven to increase attendance and graduation rates. Launched locally in fall 2023, this competency-based case methodology holds great promise for students’ success.

Table Hosts

• Michael Frohna, 3DE BY Junior Achievement of Wisconsin
• Dina Washington, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin

TABLE #17: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee

Graduation Plus (Grad Plus) at Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee is a to-and-through college program serving nearly 800 scholars. Since 2008, Grad Plus has graduated nearly 700 scholars, many of whom have manageable student loans or no debt.

Table Hosts

• Andre Douglas, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee
• Andrea Freitag, BMO

TABLE #18: City Year

At City Year Milwaukee, we believe that every child can succeed. City Year Milwaukee is an education non-profit with a dual-mission of expanding educational equity for students furthest from opportunity and developing diverse leaders through a year of AmeriCorps national service.

Table Hosts

• Stephanie Maney-Hartlaub, City Year
• Jessica Knight, BMO

TABLE #19: Golda Meir School

Golda Meir School is Milwaukee’s premier public school destination. Serving grades 3-12, we provide a world-class education that equips students with the 21st-century skills they need to succeed in life.

Table Hosts

• Tina Gleason, Golda Meir School
• Stacy Zaja, Northwestern Mutual

TABLE #20: LUMIN Schools

LUMIN Schools’ career exploration program for 452 middle schoolers features leaders of color in the Lemons 2 Lemonade Leadership Series. Seventh and eighth-graders can become LUMIN Ambassadors, receiving incentives and leadership training.

Table Hosts

• La’Ketta Caldwell, LUMIN Schools
• Libby Castro, LP/ws Studios

TABLE #21: Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy

HFCA’s Dual Enrollment program allows for scholars to take college courses early for both high school and college credit. We believe that through this experience, students learn the soft and academic skills necessary for college persistence.

Table Hosts

• Rodney Lynk, Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy
• Howard Fuller, Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy

• 2023 Milwaukee Education Spotlight

Interested in sponsoring an event? To reap the benefits of the ultimate in-person marketing opportunity contact Linda Crawford, Director of Sales, to discuss opportunities. Event sponsorships are limited.