3rd Annual Make a Difference - Wisconsin Investment Conference Held This Week



Brenda Campbell of Make a Difference - Wisconsin



On Wednesday, April 27, the 3rd annual Investment Conference was held by Make a Difference Wisconsin. Brenda Campbell, executive director of Make a Difference, and her volunteers organized another outstanding conference.  Campbell has helped that message reach more than 15,000 students in 68 area high schools. The nonprofit organization offers a five-hour curriculum on budgeting and saving, bank accounts, credit cards and credit history, reports and scores to high school students. Brenda Campbell has helped recruit more than 650 business volunteers who teach the course. The conference serves as the organization's major event of the year - and it was again deemed to be a huge success.

Brady Endl, Marquette University

Brady Endl, graduate assistant for Marquette's Applied Investment Management (AIM) program, volunteered to work at the event. He commented that he was impressed with the conference and was excited to be involved with the organization. Make a Difference's mission is to provide financial literacy programs and resources that empower students to make sound financial decisions. Their vision is to build strong communities where students and their families make informed financial decisions and take control of their financial future.


The 2011 investment conference featured Bill Ackman. Since starting Pershing Square Capital Management in 2004, Ackman has registered a 24% annual return and his firm ranks as one of the largest and most successful activist hedge funds. Other speakers included: Keith Salmon (M&I Investment Management), Daniel O'Keefe (Artisan Partners), and Rick Lane (Broadview Advisors).

Make A Difference in the classroom

Make A Difference Wisconsin, Inc. (MAD-WI) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to enrich the community by empowering students to make sound financial decisions. MAD-WI engages volunteers from the local business and professional community in the delivery of financial education.


Studies show that U.S. teens are graduating from high school without solid financial management skills. The lure of credit card offers and check-cashing stores, combined with a lack of money management education, sets many up for financial crises that can last a lifetime. We want to change that.

The program consists of three seminars focused on budgeting and saving, understanding checking accounts, and understanding credit cards, credit history/scores, and credit reports. The program is typically delivered over the course of six visits to the classroom. Volunteers present the program individually or in pairs and engage students by sharing personal and professional experiences related to financial literacy and through the use of several hands-on activities.

Make A Difference – Wisconsin is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all contributions are tax-deductible. The MAD–WI program is funded through the generosity of local corporations, foundations, and individuals. MAD–WI receives no government funding and is not a United Way agency. All funds raised are used to provide financial literacy programming to Wisconsin youth. To become a sponsor or to make a donation, please follow this link to Make a Difference - Wisconsin.