Memorial Alumni Redefining Workplace Culture
Some friendships are forged in high school and last a lifetime, while others take shape years later through shared passions. Although Zach Blumenfeld (’09) and Nick Lombardino (’06) overlapped at Madison’s Memorial High School, they didn’t truly connect until adulthood. Their experiences at Memorial helped shape their personal and professional identities, ultimately leading them to co-found CultureCon—a company dedicated to workplace transformation. Today, as best friends and business partners, they bring people together to inspire positive change in organizational culture, right in the heart of their hometown.
Reflections on Their MMSD Journey
Zach and Nick both grew up on Madison’s west side, attending Glenn Stephens Elementary, Ezekiel Gillespie (formerly Jefferson) Middle School, and Memorial High School. Nick also attended Huegel Elementary. Though they were a few years apart in school, they shared a love for sports, an appreciation for great teachers, and a deep connection to Madison.
For Zach, basketball and tennis were a huge part of his high school experience. He also credits teachers like Joe King (math and tennis coach), Nathan O’Shaughnesse (science), and Bruce Dahmen (beloved leader, coach, and mentor) with influencing his journey. His involvement in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), led by Dave Thomas and Sacia Wheeler, ignited his passion for business and entrepreneurship. Reflecting on his time at Memorial, he shares, “My best friends are still friends I made in high school. I’ll forever be grateful for that!”
Nick’s high school experience was similarly impactful. He developed an early interest in graphic design during Joe Frontier’s Commercial Art and Design class but also found a love for history thanks to Michael Sullivan’s World History class. His involvement in Memorial’s varsity soccer team, coached by Ben Voss, kept him engaged with the school long after graduation. Voss invited Nick back to help organize the annual Alumni Game, strengthening his ties with past and current students. One teacher, however, left a particularly lasting impression: his sixth-grade homeroom teacher, Ms. Cindy La Point.
Nick recently reached out to Ms. La Point to express his gratitude, writing:
“You had a way of teaching that was (and is) truly special – you led with humor, curiosity, and kindness. Equally as important, you met each of us where we were, which I am sure is extremely difficult with the diversity of a classroom. That style has stuck with me and continues to inspire me in the way I approach parenting, work, and interactions with others. The way you made learning feel personal and engaging left a mark on me, and I often think about how powerful that approach is in creating meaningful experiences.“
As an Adjunct Faculty Member at Edgewood College, Nick credits Ms. La Point and Mr. Sullivan for helping to shape his approach to teaching Social Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management.
Launching CultureCon: Bringing People Together for Workplace Transformation
After high school, Zach majored in Sport Management at the University of Minnesota, while Nick pursued Business Marketing and later earned an MBA at Edgewood College. Through an introduction by one of Zach’s former colleagues, Nick and Zach first met in 2017. Their shared passion for organizational culture inspired them to create CultureCon, a global conference series that empowers individuals to drive positive workplace change.
CultureCon’s mission is simple but powerful: connecting humans to inspire positive change around organizational culture. As a Certified B Corporation, the company delivers large-scale conferences, online courses, consulting services, and certification programs to help businesses and individuals create more inclusive, engaging, and productive workplaces.
For both Zach and Nick, keeping CultureCon rooted in Madison has been a priority. Each year, they host their flagship conference in their hometown, showcasing the city’s vibrant culture and welcoming attendees from across the world. Scaling CultureCon has been a team effort, strengthened by the support of many fellow Memorial alumni. Ted Gurman (’98) has taken the stage as a conference speaker, Diara Parker (’07) guided as an advisory board member and consultant, and Ryan Curtin (’09) has helped shape CultureCon’s visual storytelling through videography. The connections formed years ago at Memorial continue to be integral to CultureCon’s success.
Memorial Connections That Endure
Zach and Nick continue to give back to their alma mater, staying engaged with Memorial’s basketball and soccer programs and mentoring future generations of students. Zach has remained particularly involved with the Memorial Basketball program, coaching youth teams, serving as vice president on the Board of Directors for the youth program, and staying connected with coaches like Steve Collins, Jeremy Schlitz, and Mark Newberg. In 2018, he had the honor of giving the keynote speech at Memorial’s graduation, an experience he describes as “the most fun I have ever had in public speaking.”
Beyond Work: A Passion for Life
Outside of CultureCon, both founders have unique personal interests. Zach is an avid sports fan (Go Badgers!), traveler, and sports card collector. He also has a fun side gig: being an extra on TV shows and movies filmed in Chicago, including Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Empire, and The Bear. Meanwhile, when Nick isn’t visiting Zach’s IMDb page, he enjoys baking sourdough with his kids, playing co-ed soccer with his wife Kara Lombardino (Memorial ’06), and skunking his friends James Ircink (Memorial ’06) and Max Wilson (Memorial ‘06) in cribbage. Zach and his wife, Carly, live in Chicago. Nick and his family still reside in Madison.
Their journey highlights the lasting impact of community, lifelong friendships, and the educators who shape us along the way. As they continue to scale CultureCon, they remain deeply committed to Madison and the values instilled in them during their years at Memorial.
Want to learn more about CultureCon? Visit CultureCon’s website to explore their events, programs, and mission-driven work.
