Entrepreneurial Leadership Program

Ellen Thomasson Malecek Entrepreneurial Leadership Program

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and flourishing at Viz, thanks to the Ellen Thomasson Malecek Entrepreneurial Leadership Program (ETMELP). This program allows Viz students to explore their passions and develop the critical skills necessary to become successful entrepreneurs.

Project-based, experiential learning opportunities, integrated throughout the curriculum, are designed to inspire and encourage students with the same entrepreneurial spirit and sense of creativity as Ellen Thomasson Malecek ‘89, a Viz graduate and the program’s namesake. The course begins with the basics—what is entrepreneurship—and builds from there. As our student’s progress, they learn how to develop a business plan, market a business, create proposals, and prepare presentations. These essential skills are reinforced through class projects, and students also benefit from guest speakers, tapping into the expertise of thriving business professionals.

Since its launch in 2015, the program has evolved while staying true to its core purpose. Chris Kenny, Entrepreneurial Project Manager, took the lead in the 2022-2023 school year, bringing a fresh perspective. Under Chris' leadership, the program has developed associations with key organizations, including Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competitions, the Professional Women's Alliance speaker series, the WWT STEM Student Forum, and Junior Achievement.

The Entrepreneurial Leadership Program is primarily funded by the Ellen Thomasson Malecek Entrepreneurial Leadership Program Endowment Fund. To support this program, please click below to make a gift. Viz appreciates your generosity!

Ellen's Story

The Entrepreneurial Leadership Program is primarily funded through the Ellen Thomasson Malecek Entrepreneurial Leadership Program Endowment Fund. If you would like to make a gift to the endowment fund, please click below. Viz appreciates your generosity!

Ellen was a proud 1989 graduate of Visitation Academy and always cherished the wonderful and transformative experience she had at Viz.

When she passed away in 2012, her family and classmates wanted to honor her entrepreneurial drive and love for Visitation Academy, and the Ellen Thomasson Malecek Entrepreneurial Leadership Program was born.

Viz will forever be grateful to Ellen’s friends and family whose financial contributions enabled Viz to launch the ETMELP here at our school. It is an invaluable educational asset and provides our students hands-on exposure to the field of business.

Crescent Coffee

The idea for Crescent Coffee came from two enterprising students, Elizabeth Isaak and Bailey McGartland, who are both part of Visitation’s Ellen Thomasson Malecek Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, a program of study that combines a project-based, experiential learning curriculum with professional mentorship to help students develop the critical skills necessary to be a successful entrepreneur.

Follow Crescent Coffee on Instagram @vizcrescentcoffee

Hours: Mondays, 7:15-8:55 a.m.

Here Comes the Graduate

In 2021, two enterprising Viz seniors, Martha Seaton and Kate Hanlon, who were in the ETMELP, took over this initiative from the Viz Mothers' Club. Viz invites graduates to sell, donate, or consign the beautiful white gowns worn for graduation festivities each year. This program provides a wonderful opportunity for future graduates to purchase gently worn dresses, a beautiful culmination to their Viz journey and a tradition as old as the school itself.

Visitation Academy is an independent, private Catholic school offering a coeducational Montessori preschool and Kindergarten program, the area's only all-girl elementary program for Grades 1-5, and an all-girl middle school and all-girl high school.