HELPING CHILDREN GROW
PENFIELD CHILDREN’S CENTER
Penfield Children’s Center is named in honor of Dr. Wilder Penfield (1891-1976), a world-renowned neurosurgeon who strongly advocated early intervention for children with developmental delays and disabilities. His quote, “Never underestimate the capacity of the very young, and never, never let them down,” has been the foundation of Penfield’s mission since 1967. His knowledge and wisdom underlie our philosophy of care for infants and young children even today. Today, serving more than 1,500 children annually, Penfield offers high-quality, integrated services and a safe and stimulating environment for children, families, and community partners to maximize early development and learning.
OUR MISSION
Penfield Children’s Center creates a positive start in life for infants and children, many of whom have developmental delays or disabilities, by providing early education, health services, and family programming.
OUR CORE VALUES

LEAD WITH LOVE
We welcome everyone with compassion, empathy, patience, and kindness. To lead with love, we look for the best in our co-workers, our families, and ourselves.
GROW WITH US
We celebrate our successes and learn from our mistakes. We believe there is always a better way of asking questions that challenge the status quo, improve our process, and make our work easier. We focus on how we can improve ourselves and, in the process, better serve the children and families in our care.
BETTER TOGETHER
Together, we can do amazing things. Children and families trust us and depend on us to work as a team to meet their needs. We are better together when we maximize our strengths, the gifts of our colleagues, and the commitment of our amazing partners.
DO WHAT IT TAKES
We are determined, motivated, and adaptable. We solve problems. We own our work, our actions, and our behaviors. We step up to help our co-workers, partners, and our families. We do what it takes to get the job done right and done well.
BE PRESENT
We bring our best, genuine self to everything we do. Being present allows us to bring our passion and commitment to our work to ensure the best possible outcomes for Penfield.
POLINA MAKIEVSKY
PRESIDENT & CEO

ANN BECKER
VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS

RON JACOBS
CFO

MEGAN WURZ
VICE PRESIDENT OF
DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
PENFIELD CHILDREN’S CENTER
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Al Araque – Chair
Johnson Financial Group
Patrick Fennelly – Vice Chair
Morgan Stanley
Sarah Schneider – Vice Chair
Northwestern Mutual
Jeffrey Barth – Treasurer
Deloitte Tax LLP
Jennifer La Macchia – Secretary
La Macchia Holdings
Steven Thomas – Member-At-Large
Kohl’s Department Stores
Michael Brophy – Immediate Past Board Chair
Advocate Aurora Health (Retired)
Robert Mikulay – Past Board Chair
Partner, City Lights Brewing Co.
PENFIELD CHILDREN’S CENTER
DIRECTORS
Al Araque
Johnson Financial Group
Jeffrey Barth
Deloitte Tax LLP
Michael Brophy
Aurora Health Care (retired)
Dirk Carson
Consultant
Kareeda Chones-Aguam
Milwaukee Bucks
Erickajoy Daniels
Advocate Aurora Health
Peter R. Duback
Baird
Patrick Fennelly
Morgan Stanley
Viktor Gottlieb
Johnson Financial Group
Ann Granitz
BMO Harris Bank
Gavin Hattersley
Molson Coors Beverage Group
Steve Keane
Johnson Controls, Inc.
Rahim Keval
Town Bank
Smriti Khare, MD
Children’s Wisconsin
Phyllis M. King, PH.D.
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Scott Kolodzinski
Johnson Financial Group
Jennifer LaMacchia
LaMacchia Holdings
Robert Mikulay
Partner-City Lights Brewing Co.
Gene Mueller
WTMJ
David Navarre
Godfrey & Kahn
Tony Nguyen
Wells Fargo
Theresa Reagan
Community Volunteer
Kimberly Rennie, PhD
Joe Schmidt
Selzer-Ornst Construction
Sarah Schneider
Northwestern Mutual
Kate Dragisic Schoyer
Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin
Jon R. Schumacher
Financial Independent Consultant
Patricia Schuyler
Community Volunteer
Steve Thomas
Kohl’s
Cathy White
Community Volunteer
Madonna Williams
Community Volunteer
Donald H. Wilson
McHenry Bancorp
Betsy Brown Wyatt
Cramer-Krasselt
Jessica Zeratsky
Dykema
FRIENDS OF PENFIELD
Patrick Fennelly
Chair
Madonna Williams
Vice Chair (PMA)
Anthony Nguyen
Treasurer
Danila Danesi
Director – PMA
Bob Mikulay
Director (PCC & PMA)
Theresa Reagan
Director
Jon Schumacher
Director
Peter Sommerhauser
Director
Deanna Tillisch
Director (PMA)
Cathy White
Director