Multiplying Hope

How Maddie Kohler Lannon '12 discovered a simple way to triple her impact on the Mount.

Every October, as the holidays approach, Maddie Kohler Lannon '12 thinks about family, service, and how she was raised. "At the Mount and in my family, acts of service were always instilled in us," she reflects. "When I get to the end of the calendar year, I always have that give-back moment where I ask myself: what have I done this year?"

A Mount experience worth multiplying

For Maddie, a four-year varsity basketball and tennis player and one of four sisters who graduated from the Mount, giving back means ensuring future students have the same foundational experience she did. "The Mount really shaped me," she says. "Being able to go to an all-girls school was such a unique experience. You get way more confident in that environment — whether you're on the court, on stage, or in the classroom."

When she learned about the Beyond Pearls campaign and the new Athletic Center, Maddie saw an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. "As the school continues to grow, they need to keep up with the times. That was clear traveling to other schools for games. Our girls should have that opportunity to expand with the times. The new Athletic Center might be the deciding factor on why a young woman chooses the Mount."

The discovery that changed her giving

That's when Maddie discovered the power of matching gifts through her employer, PepsiCo. "Every October, my company runs 'PepsiCo Gives Back,' and they offer a 1:1 match on charitable donations," she explains. "Last year, it was a 2:1 match — so my gift was tripled. Given that, I don't know why anyone wouldn't make a gift at that time. You're literally multiplying your impact."

"I don't know why anyone wouldn't make a gift at that time. You're literally multiplying your impact."

For Maddie, the math is simple: "Obviously there are people who give a whole lot more than I do, but being able to make my gift 2x or 3x as impactful was so meaningful. Your gift goes so much further." She tries to increase her giving every year, inspired by both her Mount experience and her father Jeff Kohler's passion as Board Chair leading the campaign.

Giving back runs in the family. All four Kohler sisters — Clare Kohler Bennett '08, Emily Kohler Marbot '04, Katie Kohler Dalhoff '05, and Maddie — graduated from the Mount, and their father's commitment to the school has only deepened over the years. Jeff has served on the Board of Directors since 2018 and as Board Chairman since 2022, helping lead the Beyond Pearls Capital Campaign and the groundbreaking of the new Athletic Center. At the Class of 2025 Commencement, he received the Fournier Medal — the Academy's highest honor for distinguished service, named for Mother Saint John Fournier, one of the original founders of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. For Maddie, watching her father's dedication up close has only reinforced her own.

By sharing her story, Maddie is showing leadership in a new way — demonstrating to her peers that maximizing your impact doesn't require giving more out of pocket. "Maddie represents the future of Mount philanthropy," says Kelly Keane Owens '04, Director of Advancement Operations & Alumnae Relations. "Alumnae are finding creative ways to give back, and their enthusiasm inspires others to get involved."

Maddie's message to fellow alumnae? "I give back because I want every girl to have the experience the Mount gave me. Check if your employer offers matching gifts. It's an incredible way to make a bigger difference than you might think possible."

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Why Matching Gifts Matter

Many employers will match charitable donations dollar-for-dollar — or even 2:1 or 3:1 during special campaigns. That means your $100 gift becomes $200, $300, or more, at no extra cost to you.

Does your company offer matching gifts? Visit msjacad.org/support/matchinggifts to find out, or contact your HR department. It takes just minutes to submit the paperwork, and the impact is exponential.