MILWAUKEE, Wis. (July 14, 2026) – The Harvard Business School Club of Wisconsin today announced Donelle Hauser, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lad Lake, and Polina Makievsky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Penfield Children’s Center, as the 2026 recipients of the Club’s nonprofit executive leadership scholarships. They were selected from more than 30 strong applicants from throughout the State of Wisconsin.
The scholarships will support Hauser and Makievsky’s participation in Harvard Business School’s Social Enterprise Certificate Program, Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management, taking place July 26-31, 2026, on the Harvard Business School campus. The program brings together nonprofit executives from across sectors and geographies to step back from day-to-day leadership demands, engage with Harvard Business School faculty, learn from peers and explore proven approaches to strengthening organizational performance and impact.
For 28 years, the HBS Club of Wisconsin has made nonprofit leadership development a signature community initiative, helping Wisconsin nonprofit executives gain access to world-class management education and bring that learning back to their organizations and communities.
“Being selected for this scholarship is a tremendous honor and a meaningful investment in Lad Lake’s work with youth and families,” said Donelle Hauser, President and CEO of Lad Lake. “Lad Lake helps young people move from crisis to hope, and I’m excited to bring back new perspectives from Harvard Business School that can strengthen our team, our partnerships and the outcomes we create with the youth and families we serve.”
“This scholarship is an incredible honor, both personally and for the work Penfield is doing every day for Milwaukee’s youngest children,” said Polina Makievsky, President and CEO of Penfield Children’s Center. “I’m looking forward to learning alongside leaders from across the nonprofit sector and bringing back practical tools and frameworks that can help Penfield continue to grow, scale what works and build the kind of organization Milwaukee’s children deserve.”
Hauser has served as President and CEO of Lad Lake since 2021. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded mental health, education, residential treatment, workforce development and community-based services that now impact more than 1,100 youth and families annually. With more than 30 years of leadership experience in child welfare, behavioral health, juvenile justice and education, Hauser is recognized as a collaborative and innovative leader committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable youth.
Founded in 1848, Lad Lake is one of Wisconsin’s leading youth and family service organizations, providing residential treatment, crisis stabilization, mental health services, alternative education, workforce development, family support and community-based programming. The organization employs approximately 220 professionals and operates an $18 million continuum of care focused on youth well-being and family stability.
Makievsky joined Penfield Children’s Center as President and CEO in January 2023, bringing more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, human services and community impact. Since joining Penfield, she has led the organization through a period of growth and transformation, including the launch of four new service and program lines, growth in full-time staff and expanded philanthropic and public-sector support. She has also helped elevate Penfield as a statewide voice for Birth-to-Three funding and championed the national scaling of Early Pathways, Penfield’s evidence-based mental health treatment model for infants and young children.
Penfield Children’s Center has served Milwaukee families for nearly 60 years, providing early education, Head Start programming, early intervention therapies, infant and early childhood mental health services, prenatal support, autism services, respite care, family engagement and advocacy. Penfield serves close to 1,800 children annually, from pregnancy through age five, many of whom face developmental delays, disabilities, trauma or the effects of poverty.
“For nearly three decades, this scholarship has been one of the Club’s most meaningful ways to advance lifelong learning and strengthen Wisconsin communities,” said Ellen Galezewski, President of the HBS Club of Wisconsin. “We are thrilled to recognize Donelle and Polina, two exceptional nonprofit leaders whose organizations are creating opportunity, stability and hope for children and families. The Club looks forward to seeing the impact of their experience at Harvard Business School ripple through their teams, their organizations and the communities they serve.”
About the HBS Club of Wisconsin Scholarship
A core pillar of the Harvard Business School Club of Wisconsin’s mission is developing local communities and advancing lifelong learning. Through its nonprofit executive leadership scholarship program, the Club supports Wisconsin nonprofit leaders attending Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management program. Since 1998, the Club has awarded more than 70 scholarships to Wisconsin nonprofit executives, helping them strengthen their organizations and increase their impact across the state. To contribute to the scholarship program, you can click here.
About Lad Lake
Founded in 1848, Lad Lake is a nonprofit organization dedicated to guiding the growth of youth and families so they can reach their fullest potential. Through residential treatment, education, mental health services, crisis stabilization, workforce development and family support programs, Lad Lake serves more than 1,100 youth and families annually across southeastern Wisconsin. The organization is committed to helping young people overcome adversity, build resilience and achieve lasting success. For more information, visit www.ladlake.org.
About Penfield Children’s Center
For nearly 60 years, Penfield Children’s Center has been a leader in early childhood development in Milwaukee, providing educational opportunities, behavioral health and therapy services, special care nursing and an extensive network of community partnerships to support all aspects of early childhood needs. Penfield serves close to 1,800 children annually, from pregnancy through age five, many of whom face developmental delays, disabilities or the effects of trauma and poverty. As a federally funded Head Start center and a Milwaukee County Birth-to-Three provider, Penfield offers a full continuum of integrated care under one roof. For more information, visit penfieldchildren.org.
