Kelly Colgan lifts UP our heroes and raises $21,000 for Habitat  

Kelly Colgan, CEO of Colgan Air Services, competed this year as a nominee in the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra’s annual Conductor Wannabe contest. But for Kelly, it wasn’t just about the music—it was about making a meaningful impact. Each of the six community volunteers selected for the friendly fundraising competition chose a nonprofit to support, and for Kelly, the choice was clear: Habitat for Heroes. 

Habitat for Heroes is more than a program—it’s a commitment to providing safe, affordable housing for veterans. Born from a grassroots collaboration of veterans, their families, local businesses, and veteran organizations, the initiative is united by a powerful mission: to serve those who have served. 

For Kelly, that mission hits close to home. “I grew up in a family full of veterans,” she says. “Because of my relationships with them, I understand the challenges that veterans face. I’m grateful that Habitat is there to provide services for veterans—especially one that provides the most basic needs for people.” 

Kelly’s passion resonated across the community. Backed by fellow veterans, generous donors, and longtime partners like the American Legion, she raised an astounding $42,000—setting a record for the most funds raised by a single contestant in the history of the contest. 

Half of the money raised will benefit the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, supporting its mission to bring music and cultural programming to the region. The other half—$21,000—will directly support Habitat for Heroes, helping build and repair homes for veterans, improve accessibility for those with service-related injuries, and fuel volunteerism for years to come. 

“This was completely out of my comfort zone,” Kelly reflects. “But I’m so proud to have participated in this and incredibly grateful to everyone who came together in honor of those who served.” 

Habitat is proud to partner with Kelly Colgan and deeply thankful for her advocacy. Her record-breaking achievement means more veterans will have a place to call home—and her story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when community and compassion come together. 

On May 3, Kelly will take the stage with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, making her conducting debut and closing out the six-week-long competition. 

Thank you, Kelly, for helping us lift UP our Heroes! 

Recap Kelly's journey by visiting her Facebook page here