Partners for Progress Breakfast: Building a Thriving Community Together
On September 25, the Madison Public Schools Foundation hosted its 4th Annual Partners for Progress Breakfast at the newly renovated Vel Phillips Memorial High School. The morning began in the school’s bright atrium and cafeteria, where community leaders, educators, and sponsors gathered for networking and breakfast, accompanied by several student musicians from Memorial’s orchestra. This year’s theme, Destination MMSD: Building a Thriving Community and Elevating Education Together Through Partnership, captured the spirit of the day: celebrating collaboration while looking ahead to the opportunities and challenges that lie before Madison’s public schools.
Foundation President Melinda Heinritz opened the program by reminding attendees that the Foundation’s most powerful work lies in convening member of the community for the sake of students. She shared, “The key word is right in the middle: Together. Everything we do now or aspire to do is because we deliver and dream together. Everything MMSD does today and tomorrow to establish us as a destination district is because we embrace our kids and see their potential together.”
This theme of unity and shared responsibility was echoed throughout the morning, emphasized in remarks from Memorial Principal Matt Hendrickson and Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard. Principal Hendrickson reflected on the transformation of Memorial, made possible by the community’s support of recent referenda in 2020 and 2024, while Dr. Gothard provided updates on district-wide initiatives. His remarks highlighted progress on 4K expansion, MMSD’s new strategic framework, and the district’s brand refresh, all tied to the goal of making Madison a “destination district.” Dr. Gothard also engaged the audience in a brief Q&A, underscoring how partnerships are vital to achieving these ambitions so all students have the best to thrive.
One of the most memorable moments of the morning came from Memorial senior Julianne Pagas, who offered her student perspective on the renovations at Vel Phillips Memorial. From expanded music facilities and advanced woodworking labs to the planetarium’s awe-inspiring impact, Julianne illustrated how investments in infrastructure directly translate into student pride, curiosity, and achievement. She reflected, “The ‘wow factor’ when you walk into our building is real. It makes me proud to know that our school has the resources that inspire curiosity and wonder, not just for students like me, but for the entire community that comes to visit.” Her testimony grounded the morning’s themes through student experiences, reminding everyone in the room of the tangible results of their generosity.
The program concluded with calls to action from Dr. Chris Kastman of Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, the event’s presenting sponsor, and Cathy Gillman, former Foundation board chair and proud Memorial parent. Both emphasized that partnership and philanthropy fuel the Foundation’s work to support MMSD. Cathy urged attendees to participate in the Foundation’s Champion What Matters campaign, underscoring that individual gifts of time, talent, and treasure accelerate progress for all students.
The Partners for Progress Breakfast closed with student-led tours of the newly renovated school, offering guests a firsthand look at the spaces where students learn, perform, and create. Attendees left inspired, energized, and reminded that strong schools make for a strong community. As the Foundation looks toward its 25th anniversary in the coming year, the morning served as a powerful reminder that when Madison comes together for its schools, the results benefit us all.
Thank you to Memorial High School for your hospitality and support, Principal Matt Hendrickson and his wonderful staff who ensured the event ran smoothly even during a normal school day, and to all the students who demonstrated their musical talents and led tours of the newly renovated space.
Today, more than ever, our community partners are essential for the in-the-moment and long-term advancement of MMSD and Madison. We invite you to join in becoming a Schools Make Madison Champion.
To learn more and to explore additional ways to engage, contact Kelly Keenan, Resource Development Coordinator at kkeenan@SchoolsMakeMadison.org
