Meet the people behind the mission.
Mo Cheeks
President
Mo believes Madison’s public schools are shaping the city’s future right now. Since becoming President in June 2026, Mo has brought people and businesses together to raise funds so 25,000 MMSD students and their families can thrive. A former City of Madison alder, Mo was the founding board chair of Schools Make Madison Advocates, MPSF’s 501(c)(4) advocacy arm; he helped build the case that led Madison voters to pass two referenda, in 2020 and 2024. He and his wife have two children at Thoreau Elementary, which makes this work both professional and personal for Mo.
Mary Bartzen
Community Partnerships Director
Mary knows the best school partnerships begin with a simple question: What do you need? Since joining the Foundation in 2003, she has connected local organizations with our public schools in ways that are responsive, practical, and built to last. She launched A Principal Experience, which brings community members inside our schools to see the work firsthand, and now leads the Adopt-a-School program. She and her husband are proud parents of two Memorial High School graduates.
Kelly Keenan
Development Coordinator
Kelly helps turn community support into meaningful investment in our public schools. Since joining the Foundation in 2023, she has served as Development Coordinator, identifying funding opportunities and managing grants and corporate sponsorships from the first conversation through the final report. She has a talent for finding where a funder’s goals and our schools’ needs overlap, then building a strong case for support. Earlier in her career, Kelly served with AmeriCorps, running an environmental day camp in Minnesota. A UW Madison alum, she is glad to be back.
Caleb Kulinski
Advocacy Director
Caleb is the person we turn to when a local, state, or federal decision could affect our schools. He digs into the details, explains what they mean for students and educators, and helps the Foundation decide where and how to act. Since joining the team in 2023, Caleb has set our advocacy agenda, led a referendum campaign, coordinated statewide outreach, and organized Board of Education candidate forums. He holds a master’s degree in international public affairs from UW Madison’s La Follette School and previously directed advocacy for the Indy Hunger Network before returning to Wisconsin.
Terri Kysely
Operations Manager
Terri joined the Foundation in summer 2022. She and her three children are proud Memorial High School alumni. As Operations Manager, she handles the administrative and systems work that keeps Foundation programs, the Board of Directors, and committees running. Outside work, you will find her with family and friends.
Thomas Qualls
Community Engagement Director
Tom builds relationships that put essential resources in educators’ hands and help remove barriers for students. Since joining the Foundation in 2023, he has led the Teacher Support Network and cultivated the business partnerships and donor relationships that help sustain it. He brings experience from both our public schools and the nonprofit sector, including eight years in MMSD as a special education assistant, a behavior interventionist and family liaison. That firsthand perspective grounds his commitment to stronger public schools and greater opportunity for every student.
Megan Ross
Marketing and Events Coordinator
Megan creates events that turn the Foundation’s mission into something people can see, feel, and take part in. Since joining the Foundation in January 2026, she has brought donors, educators, and community members closer to our public schools and the people who make them thrive. As a parent of two children at Kennedy Elementary, Megan believes public education builds informed citizens, stronger communities, and opportunities for every family.
“I am proud and honored to be part of a team that is both personally and professionally dedicated to having excellent, well-funded public schools in which learning is celebrated and all students graduate ready for college, career, and community involvement.”
Mary Bartzen, Community Partnerships Director
Our Board of Directors
Jill Jokela
Chair
WI Department of Workforce Development, Retired
Michelle Slawny
Chair-Elect
Associated Bank
Mary Romolino
Past Chair
Acme Nerd Games
Suvi Bhandari
Secretary
BMO
Alyssa Dockendorff
Treasurer
Wipfli
Jeremy Cesarec
FINN Partners
Kathy Costello
MMSD Principal, Retired
Jeannette Deloya
MMSD Social Worker & Mental Health Director, Retired
Beth Giles
Madison College Appointee
Beth Goeddel
Clasen Quality Chocolate
Brenda Gonzalez
DMI Appointee, UW-Madison
Joe Gothard
Superintendent, Madison Metropolitan School District
Tracey Griffith
Building Trades Council of South Central Wisconsin
Shayna Hetzel
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Gary Jordan
American Family Insurance
Ted Jun
Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin
Dan Kennelly
Quad Capital Partners
Jennifer Kraemer
Kraemer Brothers, LLC, Retired
Badri Lankella
WI Department of Natural Resources
Joe Luedke
Baird Private Wealth Management
Gina Malagold
Song for Charlie
Anne Marie Malecha
Dezenhall Resources
Mandy Marcum
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Richard McGregory
Madison College
Nichelle Nichols
Board of Education President
Non-Voting Member
Christina Ripley
WEAC
Reuben Sanon
Deputy Mayor
Non-Voting Member
Monica Schraml
M3 Insurance
Jordan Taylor
Godfrey & Kahn
Don White
Realtor and former MMSD Middle School Teacher
Careers
Create a career that has impact.
Looking to drive progress in the community? That’s what we do. Join our team and go to work each day knowing you’re part of something selfless: creating amazing opportunities for students throughout Madison.
Newsroom
Stay up to date. Visit our newsroom.
If you’re a reporter on deadline, or just interested in our latest news, check out the newsroom.
Contact Us
Have questions? It’s easy to reach us.
Whether you want more details about a specific program, have questions about volunteering, or need help deciding where to donate, we can help.