Nearly 50 Corporate Leaders Join Forces in Support of Tomorrow’s Workforce

On July 30, the Aim Higher Foundation welcomed nearly 50 Twin Cities executives to its fourth annual Corporate Partners event. This year’s event, held at the Rooftop of the Borough in Minneapolis, was generously co-hosted with Jester Concepts and Ancoats Construction and sponsored by Tradition Capital Bank.

Archie Black, retired CEO of SPS Commerce, kicked off a robust discussion of how investing in the children today will help prepare corporate leaders of tomorrow.  Archie noted, “My wife, Jane, and I have been blessed to be able to send our four sons through Catholic school – 64 cumulative years! Our sons have benefitted from strong academics and a values-based formation that has equipped them with the confidence to step into leadership roles. Not all children have this opportunity. The families Aim Higher serves face extraordinary financial barriers that we can’t even imagine; household incomes of $35,000 for newly awarded families of four. We are honored to partner with the Aim Higher Foundation to help break down barriers for these families, and we encourage more corporate partners to step forward. When these kids are given a chance, we all win.”

David Wood, owner and President of Ancoats Construction, echoed similar sentiments. “Out of gratitude for what we have been blessed with, my wife and I have determined that our philanthropic focus is to help children who are born into circumstances beyond their control. Aim Higher Foundation fits this so perfectly. The foundation’s singular focus on breaking down financial barriers with need-based scholarships is impressively effective. It’s something we are proud to get behind.”

Brent Frederick, entrepreneur and owner of Jester Concepts, added his thoughts. “I was introduced to the Aim Higher Foundation’s mission three years ago. While not a Catholic myself, my wife is Catholic and we send our children to a Catholic school. I’ve seen firsthand the life-changing impact that academic excellence and values-based formation makes in children. It’s simply just the right thing to do to make this possible for all children, regardless of their zip code. I highly encourage more corporate leaders to step forward. Come to Night of Light on September 27 to learn more. Sponsor the event. Offer a package for the auction. Get behind these kids and help them realize their potential.”

Ricky Austin, President of the Aim Higher Foundation, reflects on this year’s Corporate Partners event, “We are deeply grateful to Jester Concepts, Ancoats Construction, and Tradition Capital Bank for making this event possible. The momentum they are helping to build for the Aim HIgher Foundation’s mission in the corporate space is invaluable. Tonight, we added nearly 50 more leaders to this movement. Tomorrow’s workforce (today’s children) must get the support they need to reach their full potential. Catholic schools are delivering an education that is working. Test scores, character formation, community and civic involvement are just a few of the markers that prove this is where we should be collectively investing. But, too many families can’t access these schools without our help. We encourage even more local corporate leaders to join the movement.

Call to Action!

Corporate leaders locally and across the country are increasingly engaging in this important conversation: What can we do to ensure tomorrow’s workforce is well-equipped to navigate a rapidly changing world?  How can we ensure all children have access to quality education and character formation so that they can enter the workforce with confidence and conscience?  More and more families are turning to Catholic schools – but they face financial barriers.

The Aim Higher Foundation’s singular focus is to break down these barriers with need-based tuition assistance scholarships. 

Support the Aim Higher Foundation by sponsoring our upcoming Night of Light Celebration on Saturday, September 27, 2025.  

Please contact Claire Buethe, [email protected] or 612-819-6711 x105.