Ascender Academy helps train underserved city residents with software development skills and helps them to find jobs. Our technology training program uses a rapid training model to provide students with the skills needed to gain employment in today’s evolving IT industry. In addition to technical training, soft skill and life skill curriculum is taught to help individuals ascend to new levels of success in the workplace and in their personal lives.

Milwaukee is in desperate need of programs to help the unemployed, underemployed and at-risk young adults. Unfortunately, the city of Milwaukee faces significant poverty, race and education challenges.

Milwaukee has the largest achievement gap between blacks and whites in the country.

children in Milwaukee live in poverty.

Milwaukee is the most segregated city in the U.S.

One might assume from the data above that there are not enough good-paying jobs available in Milwaukee, but that is not the case. There are a large number of jobs available in the technology sector; the issue is that there are not enough sufficiently trained people to fill them. This is a nationwide problem, but an affordable Wisconsin program is needed to address the issue. That’s where Ascender Academy comes in.

BRIAN MCKEE
Founder/CEO

Brian has 14+ years of experience in IT consulting, networking and cyber security. He has worked for companies including GE Healthcare, FIS Global, Waukesha County Technical College and various non-profits. He is driven to help underrepresented communities gain knowledge and skills to fill talent gaps while revitalizing communities.

JOELYNETT MCKEE
Co-Founder/Vice President

Joelynett has worked in higher education leadership for 9+ years, with a diverse background in nonprofit management. Obtaining her Master’s degree in Business Management, her goal is to help lower barriers of entry and create opportunities for those looking to change their life and career paths.

ALICIA OLSEN
Marketing Director

Alicia manages all the marketing, social media and PR efforts for Ascender Academy. She also owns her own marketing consulting firm called Olsen Marketing Solutions, where she helps small- and medium-sized businesses with their marketing needs, from strategy to execution.

PATRICK MCELWEE
Volunteer/Mentor

Patrick is a software engineer for Centare and has helped companies such as Rockwell, QuadGraphics and Direct Supply during his time there.

NICK GARTMANN
Volunteer/Mentor

Nick is a software developer and partner at Rokkincat.

DR. DEBRA NEVELS
Volunteer/Mentor

Having a Doctorate in Education, Dr. Nevels currently serves with the American Cancer Society and as an adjunct college faculty member. Her career has focused on education, community outreach and community building.

KARSTEN HUTTELMAIER
Volunteer/Mentor

Karsten is a Software Engineer at Johnson Controls. He has developed software for 15 years in various industries including healthcare, logistics, insurance, and investing.

We’ve partnered with several local and national organizations, to work together toward building and growing Ascender Academy. From community organizations with complementary missions to corporations who want to hire from our pool of graduates, we thank every one of our partners for their support.

In addition, our curriculum was developed by one of the leading coding schools in San Francisco, which boasts a 99% job placement rate and an average starting salary of $105,000 for graduates.

We wouldn’t be successful without our sponsors, and we appreciate everyone who has donated to the Ascender Academy mission!