Nice to meet you.

We’re here for Will.

A young man wearing a gray baseball cap, black sunglasses, a blue Under Armour shirt, and a gray zip-up hoodie sitting outdoors under a white canopy.

The Will Kenny Foundation was established in 2024 to honor Will and the things he loved. Today, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit creating opportunities for young people throughout Central Illinois through scholarships, educator grants, and community support.

Will loved science, robotics, and technology, but more than that, he loved learning, building things, and figuring out how things worked. We want to give other kids the opportunity to find what interests them and keep going with it.

A smiling young man and woman taking a selfie in a wooden interior setting.
A smiling young man and woman taking a selfie in a wooden interior setting.

The People Behind the Foundation

Marissa Kenny

Marissa is Will's mom and the heart of the foundation. Bringing her experience as a project manager, she keeps the board organized, focused, and moving forward. She and Will shared a love of music, concerts, and cooking, especially making homemade pizzas together. Family meant everything to Will, and that sense of family is still at the heart of the foundation today.

Will’s Mom | Board President

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Adam Kenny

Adam is Will's dad. From the beginning, he wanted the money given in Will's memory to be used for something positive, and those early conversations helped lead to the Will Kenny SciTech Scholarship. He and Will shared a love of the outdoors, spending a lot of time hiking, fishing, and finding just about every kind of wildlife along the way. Adam encouraged Will's love of animals, especially the ones most people would rather avoid, and passed along a strong connection to their Irish heritage and the traditions of their large Irish family.

Will’s Dad | Board Member

A young man in a navy blue suit and sunglasses holding a glass of champagne, sitting on a gold-stool, next to a woman in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet of flowers, both seated on chairs against a plain wall.

Emily is Will’s older sister and was always protective of her little brothers. She and Will shared a love of concerts and cooking, and even went to Lollapalooza together. One of Will’s happiest days was being Flower Boy at Emily’s wedding, a role he took very seriously. As Treasurer, Emily is always willing to jump in and give her all whenever she’s needed. She’s now a new mom to Isaac, a little boy we know Will would have absolutely loved.

Will’s Sister | Treasurer

Emily Koposky (Kenny)

Two young men in formal suits sitting on chairs against a wall, one wearing sunglasses and holding a small snack, the other making a hand gesture.

Jack Kenny

Jack is Will’s older brother, by just one year, and the two were incredibly close. They grew up fishing, hiking, wrestling competitively, and giving each other a hard time like brothers do. Their personalities couldn’t have been more different. Jack is quieter and more reserved, while Will never met a stranger. But they were always there for each other. When Jack made the high school football team, Will was at every game. Jack is proud to be part of the foundation and has helped at events whenever he can. After graduating from high school, he chose to serve in the U.S. Army.

Will’s Brother | Honorary Board Member

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Jill Wright

Jill is Will's cousin and grew up alongside his mom, Marissa, in their small, close-knit family. She loved Will's quirky personality and knew that every time she saw him, a hug was coming. As Vice President, Jill brings decades of advertising and marketing experience, along with years of nonprofit board experience. She helped build much of the foundation from the ground up, including its bylaws, scholarship requirements, marketing, and outreach. For Jill, it all comes back to making sure Will's legacy continues.

Will’s Cousin | Vice President

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Lisa Smith

Lisa is one of Marissa's closest friends, and when Marissa asked her to be part of the foundation, there was never much question that Lisa would be there. As the owner of Smith + Co Studios, Lisa is well connected in the community and has been a huge help with events, fundraising, and getting others involved. She has also helped bring support for the foundation into the St. Vincent's community, a place that has been an important part of the Kenny family for years.

Friend of the Family | Board Member