WAUWATOSA – March 6, 2024 – Patti Gorsky, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Wisconsin since 1999, has announced her impending retirement in early 2025. Gorsky navigated the organization through several business transformations and branding strategies over the years, resulting in significant increases in both revenue and mission impact.
This year, Make-A-Wish Wisconsin is celebrating the 40th birthday of its founding and the 25th anniversary of Gorsky’s leadership. When she began her tenure in 1999, the organization had a budget of $1M and granted about 120 wishes. The organization’s current budget is $9M with more than 400 wishes granted annually. This year, the Wisconsin Chapter is budgeted to grant 405 wishes, more wishes than it has ever granted before.
Make-A-Wish Wisconsin recently granted its 8,000th wish for 18-year-old Lulu, whose wish was to sing with an orchestra. Lulu was featured at the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Founder’s concert at the Bradley Symphony Center on February 24, 2024.
“Patti’s impressive leadership has meant exponential growth in donations, wishes granted and the magic of a wish come true benefiting generations of children and their families throughout Wisconsin,” said Board Chair Joe Imhoff. “Her vision, passion and dedication to the Make-A-Wish mission have been unparalleled. Patti has led growth and organizational improvement across Make-A-Wish Wisconsin, and nationally, through her work with Make-A-Wish® America.”
Among its many awards and recognitions, Make-A-Wish Wisconsin has been a recipient of Make-A-Wish America’s coveted “Power of One” award on three separate occasions, the first chapter to have done so.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin’s School of Journalism, Gorsky’s professional accomplishments include the Executive Education Program for Nonprofit Leaders at Harvard’s Graduate School of Business, The Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award, TEMPO Mentor Award, Donald Driver Driven to Achieve Award, among others.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve as Wisconsin’s ‘Fairy Godmother,’ the highlight of my professional career,” said Gorsky. “Make-A-Wish Wisconsin is an outstanding chapter because of the exceptional team we have built over the years, including hard-working staff, dedicated board and committed volunteers,” she added.
In addition to working at Make-A-Wish, Gorsky also served as Director of Community Affairs/Marketing at WITI TV6, Public Relations and Communications Director at the Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau (now Visit Milwaukee), and as Community Relations Press Secretary to Milwaukee County Executive William F. O’Donnell.
Gorsky will continue in her role as the board completes a nationwide executive search and will work closely with the board to assure a smooth transition of leadership by early 2025.
Make-A-Wish America, comprised of 58 chapters, is the world’s largest wish-granting nonprofit organization.
ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH WISCONSIN:
Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Since the Wisconsin chapter was founded in 1984, more than 8,000 Wisconsin families have experienced the power of a wish, resulting for many in a turning point in the fight against their illnesses. Currently, more than 500 children are waiting for their life-changing wishes to be granted through Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. According to a wish impact study, a Make-A-Wish experience leads to increased emotional and physical health for wish children. For more information on making a donation or getting involved, please visit wish.org/wisconsin or call 800.236.WISH.
