A Legacy Worth Building

When I reflect on my time as a student-athlete, it’s not the team dinners or the thrill of competition that I think about. What has stuck with me are the moments that shaped me off the court – the moments that showed me what it truly means to be a leader: a servant leader. 

At Marquette, servant leadership was a value that was embedded in the Jesuit curriculum. This is a value that I’ve upheld before I started college in 2020 and has continued to grow throughout my collegiate, athletic, and professional careers. I believe in lifting others, giving back without expectation, and embracing everyone with acceptance and respect. It was an honor to be so heavily involved with MILOTSO. As a student-athlete, I had a platform and the ability to influence. I could use my platform as a way not only to be seen, but to help others be heard. I had a responsibility to engage with the youth in the community; this gave them a voice – a chance to be heard. That alone makes every minute I’ve put into making MILOTSO into a reality worth it. What has stuck with me most is walking into those gyms with those kids and seeing them light up, knowing that the Marquette Volleyball girls showed up for them. That was everything.

Working with the kids at Running Rebels, Milwaukee College Prep, and many other amazing organizations in the Milwaukee area opened my eyes to the ripple effect of showing up. Our presence as student-athletes gave kids ideas on what their futures could look like. Those kids we would connect with would also show up for us. Multiple kids would show up to Marquette volleyball matches and attend volleyball camps in the summer. We were able to connect with the kids beyond the surface, and that impact sparked big dreams. That’s what MILOTSO is all about – building that bridge between student-athletes and the next generation of greats. Our presence shows those kids what they’re capable of when someone cares and invests time in them.

Now, in my post-student-athlete, professional life at Baird, I’m proud to work at a firm that shares those same values. Through Baird Gives Back, our associates are encouraged to stay connected to our communities, not just through donations, but through time, energy, and real engagement. This spirit is embedded in the culture of Baird. I take great pride in working for a firm that upholds the same belief in philanthropic work that I do. Having grown up fortunate in many ways, I want to help others who don’t have access to the same opportunities and resources I did. The transition from college athletics to the business world has felt seamless, as I can continue to live by the same principles: lead with empathy and uplift others.

Being a part of MILOTSO has been a transformative experience. Through the work that we do at MILOTSO, I can see firsthand how our presence changes how the youth in Milwaukee view the world. The memories I have made and the lessons I have learned taught me one important thing: it takes one person to make a difference. And that’s a legacy worth building. MILOTSO has been, and will continue to build that legacy. I’m grateful for having the opportunity to work with MILOTSO, and I am even more thankful that I have been able to continue serving the Milwaukee community following my collegiate athletic career.