A single instance can change your life. Whether it’s bumping into a stranger in passing or taking the wrong exit on a road trip. In Neil Willenson’s case, it was a chance encounter with a 5-year-old boy who was living with HIV/AIDS.
That experience stuck with him. So much so that he would go on to build an organization dedicated to the children burdened by not only the disease itself, but the stigmatism and societal challenges that come with it.
From founding Camp Heartland to becoming President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee, and a few acting roles in between, Neil’s impact on the community has been substantial – making him a perfect Milwaukeean of the Week candidate.
Check out our Q&A with him below.
What is your background?
I was born in Milwaukee and other than my four years at UW-Madison from 1988-1992, I have never left. I am honored to call the Milwaukee area my home and love working in the heart of the city at Big Brothers Big Sisters headquarters in downtown Milwaukee.
Any stories from your youth that define your path?
I was blessed to have a happy childhood growing up in Mequon. Times seemed simpler then without cell phones, email, and other digital connections.
I spent abundant time outside. I grew up in a house right next to several lagoons at North Shore Country Club. By the age of 12, I was earning $1000 per summer retrieving golf balls from these lagoons and selling them to golfers at a discounted rate. “Hole in One Golf Ball Service” was my first entrepreneurial endeavor and taught me that even young people can set and reach goals.
I aspired to be a Hollywood actor and producer and was pursuing a Communication Arts degree in Radio/TV/Film at UW-Madison. My life took a radical turn after I met a five-year-old boy who was living with HIV/AIDS. I learned quickly that his pain did not come from the disease itself. Rather, it came from discrimination, social isolation, and cruelty that too often surrounded the illness. With this in mind, for nearly 20 years, I was very honored to serve as the Founder of Camp Heartland, later called One Heartland, a national summer camp for children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Along the way, we lost more than 150 of our young campers to complications from AIDS, and that was devastating to say the least. Yet even amidst the sorrow, stories of hope emerged.
Most of the children survived and are living happy and productive lives. That led me to some other philanthropic positions in the community and ultimately my current role as President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee.
I continue to enjoy several acting roles in film, TV programs, and commercials – most recently playing an eccentric CEO in a TV pilot produced at Marquette University called The Interns. (Some more of my credits at: https://imdb.me/neilwillenson)
Where did you study (if you did higher education)?
UW Madison, Communication Arts with a degree in Radio/TV/Film
What do you do for work now?
President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee. Co-Creator and Host of Crowded Table Stories – a social media site, and actor.
Can you talk more about your community involvement?
Highlights:
Founder in high school of Milwaukee Live Charities. We implemented “Live AID” style concerts at Homestead High School in the ’80s to raise funds to help the homeless.
1989-1992 Big Brother mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County
1993 -2010, Founder & President of Camp Heartland/One Heartland for children affected by HIV/AIDS
2010-2023, VP of Community Relations at Kapco, Inc. In this role, I served as Co-Founder of Camp Hometown Heroes for children of fallen U.S. service members and Camp Reunite, a groundbreaking program that reunites children with an incarcerated parent.
2023 – Current: President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee
What are some ways you have impacted the community in your line of work?
Watching the news can be saddening and maddening. It is easy to shrug your shoulders with a belief that there is not much we can do to improve our society. Yet, making an impact on even one life is meaningful.
It has been the honor of my life working with thousands of young people facing adversity. I am hopeful the non-profit programs for which I have served have indeed made a lasting and profound impact on thousands of children and families.
What do you like about living in Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is such an underappreciated city. Having access to both a river and a lake is unique. Our summer festivals are beyond compare. Milwaukee County has a vast number of parks and public spaces.
While winters can indeed be rough at times, our climate is becoming more appealing as we are not largely affected by earthquakes, wildfires, and other natural disasters. Milwaukee is still a hidden gem, but through Top Chef, the RNC and other high profile opportunities, we are being discovered by more and more people. Milwaukee Uncut helps as well!
What do you want to see for Milwaukee’s future?
We have strong community, business, and political leadership in our city right now. Big Brothers Big Sisters is privileged to work alongside hundreds of volunteers and other non-profits to help ensure brighter futures for all young people.
On a personal level, I am excited that Wisconsin once again has a tax incentive for film and TV productions as this should lead to significantly more opportunities for actors and filmmakers.
Anything else we should know about you, your job, community involvement, or life in general?
My wife Adria is a talented visual artist and art teacher at the impressive Notre Dame Schools of Milwaukee. My 21 year old daughter Alanna is studying vocal performance at Lawrence University and my 18 year old son Josh will enter college next fall, where he will pursue work as a film actor and director.
He has been in a variety of local, regional and national TV/Film projects including roles on HBO/Showtime programs and directed a short film shown at Milwaukee Film Festival last year