Madeline Olsen, a longtime board member, will be running on behalf of ExpandED Schools in the TCS New York City Marathon. Her support has strengthened our work for years. This Q&A explains why she chose to run for such an important cause.
Q&A
Q: What inspired you to run the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon for ExpandED Schools, and what does this opportunity mean to you personally?
A: I first became involved with ExpandED Schools in 2019 when my team hosted an internship program for young people in New York City who were considering a career in banking. Working with these creative and ambitious students was inspiring, and I was humbled by the opportunity to help them explore the art of the possible in finance. Their curiosity and drive left a lasting impact on me.
Motivated to deepen my involvement, I joined the ExpandED Schools junior board and later “graduated” to the senior board in 2023. Each step has reinforced my commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders in our city. Running the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon for ExpandED Schools is both a personal and philanthropic milestone. My goal is to raise as much money as possible to maximize our impact on young people’s education.
Q: How does ExpandED Schools’ mission resonate with your own experiences or values, and how has that connection shaped your training journey?
A: As someone who is not naturally a runner, this is a significant undertaking for me. During my training, I often reflect on the spirit and promise of this generation, and it propels me forward. This opportunity means so much because it allows me to give back to my community in a meaningful way and to champion the limitless potential of New York City’s youth. ExpandED Schools’ mission resonates with me because I come from a lineage of educators and have witnessed firsthand the dedication and selflessness that teachers bring to their work every single day. I have tremendous respect for the tireless efforts that help students succeed.
Although I have chosen a career outside of education, the opportunity to support learning is a calling that I proudly dedicate my time and resources to. I am honored to contribute to ExpandED Schools’ commitment to providing enriching experiences for students and empowering the educators who make it all possible.
Q: As you prepare for 26.2 miles across all five boroughs, what message are you hoping to carry forward for the young people ExpandED Schools supports?
A: There are so many parallels between training for a marathon and growing up in New York City on the journey to adulthood. Both require persistence, resilience, and a willingness to push beyond your comfort zone. In this great city—and in this great country—the harder you work, the greater the opportunities that become available to you.
Running a marathon takes discipline, which I think is the most important quality I hope to model for the young people I work with through ExpandED Schools. My message to them is that hard work and education are the city’s great equalizers. No matter where you start, your commitment can open doors and help you achieve your dreams. I want every student to know that while the road may be long and challenging, their determination will carry them forward, just as it does for every marathon runner crossing the finish line.
Q: What would you want supporters to understand about the importance of this marathon fundraising effort and the difference it will make for students and educators across New York City?
A: I want supporters to know that this marathon fundraising effort is about so much more than just running 26.2 miles—it’s about investing in the future of New York City’s young people and educators. Our reach is significant: we partner with 88 community-based organizations, serve 343 schools, and have positively impacted over 1.6 million students. We’ve trained 2,623 educators and distributed $4.4 million in direct funding to support high-quality learning experiences.
Every dollar raised through this marathon effort helps ExpandED Schools continue to build a vibrant system of school-community partnerships, ensuring that all New York City children have the opportunity to thrive. Your support directly contributes to professional development, capacity-building, enrichment programs, research, and advocacy that benefit both students and educators. And the most exciting part is—we are only getting started!! With your help, we can continue to make a lasting difference for generations to come.