Fall 2025: Wily’s new Executive Director, Kenn Elmore, appeared on Mix 104.1’s Karson & Kennedy Good Vibe Tribe, a daily segment spotlighting feel-good stories from around Greater Boston.
“Think about how amazing that is, that you've got this young person [Wily Scholar] who on their own gets to college and then on their own they got to do this. So the big idea is that we make these presumptions about people in college and how they do that. College doesn't guarantee that you belong or that you might matter. I think at The Wily Network, what we say is that if you don't have a family structure that's walking with you, we'll build one around you. That's where the Wily Pack comes in. We're not a charity, we're a community.”
Among those tuning in to Mix 104.1 that morning was Marianne Folino, a local volunteer:
“I first heard about The Wily Network this past September while—quite literally—playing hooky and driving to Crane Beach with my friend, Linda. We happened to catch an interview on the radio with Kenn Elmore, the Executive Director of The Wily Network. I remember turning to my friend Linda and saying, “If it weren’t for my grandmother, I could have been one of those students.” That moment really stayed with me. As we sat on the beach, Kenn’s interview and Wily’s mission began to resonate more deeply, and I knew I wanted to get involved in some way.”
Marianne reached out to Wily’s Scholar Engagement Team to become involved in Wily’s mission. When asked what drew her to Wily, Marianne said,
“What struck me most about Wily is that it’s not a traditional support organization—it’s something more personal and holistic. The idea of providing a true support network for students who don’t have one is incredibly powerful. It fills a gap that so many people don’t even realize exists. For me, it hit close to home, and I found it both meaningful and inspiring."
Marianne is a member of the Boston Chapter of 100 Women Who Care, a collective of women dedicated to amplifying awareness and support for local nonprofits. After several weeks of conversation with Wily’s Scholar Engagement Team, Marianne nominated The Wily Network for the group’s quarterly award. Senior Director of Scholar Services, Ine Ogagan, attended the event alongside Marianne, who spoke powerfully about why Wily’s mission resonated with her and the importance of community support. The 100 Women Who Care of Boston raised over $8,000 for The Wily Network.
“My involvement began through another organization I’m part of —100 Women Who Care. It’s a group that gathers quarterly to collectively donate and vote on where the funds will go. I joined with the hope of nominating Wily—and incredibly, the second time I attended, Wily was selected. Being part of helping direct $8,000 to such an impactful organization was one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve had. It made the mission feel even more real and reinforced how meaningful even a single action can be.”
Marianne’s journey from radio listener to Wily champion is a testament to the power of community, and to what happens when we choose to build our Pack.
“Every bit of time, energy, and support you give truly matters. The gratitude and sense of community within Wily are unmistakable, and it’s clear that what you’re doing is making a real difference in people’s lives. I’m so grateful to be even a small part of it, and I look forward to continuing to support this incredible organization.”
Thank you to the Karson & Kennedy Show, Marianne, and the entire Boston chapter of 100 Women Who Care for your incredible support of Wily Scholars.
Our mission is only possible because of partners like you. Interested in getting involved with Wily?
