As Walsh College celebrates a century of bringing quality business education to southeast Michigan, there’s nobody better to lead the way than David and Kathryn Petoskey.

The power couple is co-chairing Walsh’s Centennial Campaign, which kicked off at the 2021 Leadership Awards Dinner last fall.

The three-year campaign aims to raise awareness of the rich history and wide array of offerings at Walsh, as well as raise $7.5 million to set the stage for the school’s future.

The Petoskeys have volunteered with Walsh throughout their entire 26-year marriage. Their dedication was renewed at the awards dinner when a scholarship recipient approached their table.

“She thanked us, and it impacted Kathy and me emotionally. It was real. It was heartfelt,” David Petoskey says. “Helping this person succeed is rewarding, and this campaign will do that 100-fold if we do it right. It means success for the college, success for the students, and success for the donors.”

LAYING THE FOUNDATION

David Petoskey grew up in Madison Heights and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Walsh in 1990 with a double major in finance and marketing. He took part in his first Walsh charity golf outing the year he graduated and hasn’t stopped supporting the school since. In 2006, he joined the Walsh Foundation board, and the following year joined the board of trustees. Now, he’s vice chair of the board.

“My passion actually grew as I got more involved in the business community and saw how many Walsh students work in the financial world in southeast Michigan and beyond,” David says. “I’m running into Walsh graduates all the time. It has solidified what we’re doing here in the region.”

Kathy says her husband’s enthusiasm for Walsh was infectious.

“Ever since I’ve known him, he’s been involved in Walsh and played a bigger role as time went on. It’s hard not to get excited when you’re going to events, meeting personnel, meeting students, so I’ve always supported Dave in being part of Walsh College,” she says.

Kathy grew up in Ferndale and graduated from Western Michigan University with a BBA in accounting. She now works as director of finance and human resources alongside her husband at Wealthcare Management Services, the Bloomfield Hills-based financial planning firm David founded in 1995.

She says they didn’t hesitate when Walsh leaders approached them to co-chair the Centennial Campaign.

FUNDING THE FUTURE

In their new roles, the Petoskeys’ primary goal will be to lead fundraising efforts over the next three years. In addition to bolstering Walsh’s scholarship program and endowments, the money will fund innovative technology for immersive learning, professional development and continuing education programs, and forward-thinking partnerships and departmental initiatives.

Founded in 1922, Walsh has become one of southeast Michigan’s largest graduate business schools, offering classes in several locations and online. As Walsh has grown, it has maintained its focus on business and technology education while staying agile enough to change with the times.

The Centennial Campaign kicked off at the 2021 Leadership Awards Dinner with the announcement of $500,000 in lead gifts.

“The Centennial Campaign allows us to continue our legacy of providing an immersive, engaging education driven by outstanding faculty and innovative technology and teaching methods,” Walsh Interim President and Chief Executive Officer Suzy Siegle says.

BUILDING THE TEAM

As the campaign gets off the ground, the first order of business is to pave the way for success. To the Petoskeys, that means putting the right people in place. They’re currently assembling a 10-member Centennial Cabinet Board, finding exemplary volunteers to approach companies and donors and help them see the value of supporting Walsh.

“We want to create awareness around this campaign and get involvement from the Walsh community and the southeast Michigan business community. That is going to be imperative to help make this successful,” David says. “We’ll be doing some asks, having meetings with donors on what our vision is and how they can contribute. We’re working with what’s best for each donor.”

Cabinet volunteers will represent a diverse array of industries, from manufacturing and technology to health care and finance.

“It’s a team effort,” he says.

The teamwork starts with David and Kathy. The couple live in Bloomfield Hills, and when they’re not working together, they enjoy golfing, attending sporting events, and spending time with family. With their daughters, Lauren and Sydney, in grad school and college, respectively, they have more time to devote to Walsh’s Centennial Campaign, keeping it on target toward its goals.

“I am honored to be working with Kathy to lead Walsh’s Centennial Campaign as we focus on transforming lives and communities through education,” David says.

Kathy agrees.

“It’s a very exciting school,” she says, “and this campaign will assure that Walsh’s next 100 years will be just as innovative as it is now.”

For more information about Walsh College and to find out how you can contribute to the Centennial Campaign, visit https://foundation.walshcollege.edu

Campaign Cabinet

The Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations recognizes the importance of volunteers as integral partners in planning for and achieving success in our three-year, $7.5 million Walsh Centennial Campaign.

To that end, a Centennial Campaign Cabinet has been formed to advance the mission of Walsh, its academic departments, and its initiatives. As volunteer leaders, they will help guide fundraising activities and continually promote charitable giving opportunities.

The Centennial Campaign Cabinet will consist of an Executive Campaign Cabinet made up of about 10 individuals. These individuals will represent the Walsh community and be influential alumni, business leaders, and community leaders who can give their time and talents to support the campaign over three years. Chairs will oversee committees that focus on specific business sectors where our alumni are employed: accounting, manufacturing, automotive, estate planning, finance, banking, IT, foundations, and business services.

If you are interested in volunteering your support to help Walsh reach its Centennial Campaign goals, please reach out to Interim President and Chief Executive Officer Suzy Siegle at ssiegle@walshcollege.edu.

Co-chairs of the Gala: Walsh alumni Dennis (’91) and Christine Harder (’99) and Kahn Hall (’13). Dennis, Christine, and Kahn have a long history of chairing our Leadership Awards Dinners and welcome you to join their committee as we mark 100 years of Walsh College. We look forward to seeing you as we celebrate Walsh’s centennial together.