
Investing in the leaders of tomorrow.
Through a generous $3.75 million gift from Rooted Philanthropic, Hill-Murray is proud to introduce the Rooted Philanthropic Leadership Institute (RPLI). The mission of RPLI is to expand access to comprehensive leadership education for all Hill-Murray students while being firmly rooted in our Catholic identity and Pioneer spirit.
RPLI is led by Denise Bates, the architect of our nationally recognized Future Leader Program, which was named “2024 Program of the Year” by MINNDEPENDENT.
By inspiring a passion for leadership, RPLI empowers our students through bold ideas, transformative experiences, and inclusive communities.

Bold Ideas
Bold ideas encourage action. RPLI delivers on leadership development through the encouragement to think beyond the norms to create change.

Transformative Experiences
Leaders thrive through transformative experiences that explore and enhance their core strengths.

Inclusive Communities
By creating inclusive communities that lead through service and integrity, our students feel empowered to explore possibilities and gain independence in their leadership journey.
Leadership Programs
RPLI gives Hill-Murray students the opportunity to accelerate their leadership journey in three unique ways:
Future Leader Scholarship
Awarded to 20 Students
Provides tuition support to incoming 9th graders each year and forming a tight-knit cohort that stays together the entire four years of high school.
RPLI Leadership Pathway
Launching Fall 2026
Open to all students, this series of elective courses will help to develop, build and strengthen essential leadership skills.
Leadership Certificate
Available to 10th Graders
Available to all grade 10 students who complete the designated leadership experiences and service projects over the course of the year.
RLPI is rooted in our
Four Core Pillars
People
Leaders invest in relationships by listening to better understand others and by speaking to express their ideas.
Play
Leaders cultivate playfulness by embracing creativity, curiosity and joy, and take on challenges with innovative strategies.
Purpose
Leaders discover their purpose, articulate their values, and develop their personal leadership philosophy.
Performance
Leaders apply the skills they’ve built over the past three years to create positive change in the communities they serve.
“Through the generosity of Rooted Philanthropic, Hill-Murray students will develop as confident leaders who thrive through transformative experiences to help make the world a better place.”
– DENISE BATES, PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Be the leader
you were meant to be.
For more information on Hill-Murray, RPLI and our investment in student leadership, contact: Denise Bates 651-748-2440 or dbates@hill-murray.org