Rotary Club of Milwaukee Tuesday Speaker Series

The global pandemic ushered in tremendous change to industries and economies around the world, including one with significant short- and long-term implications – the impact on employment. Record quit rates, massive retirements, and growing numbers of job openings have put businesses on their heels. Economists say the Great Resignation of 2021 shows no sign of letting up in 2022 and that the focus now needs to be on retention.

However, new research conducted by Milwaukee PR firm Kane Communications Group reveals that 50% of Wisconsin’s working women are considering quitting their jobs. This is 25% higher than the national average.

Kane Communications Group CEO Kimberly Kane and Rotarian Karen Hung discuss the research findings and what employers in Wisconsin can do to retain women at their companies.

The Waukesha Parade Murders put Wisconsin bail practices under a spotlight. Our January 18 speakers are two Milwaukee lawyers who each wrote op-eds calling attention to the complexity of bail decisions.

Ralph Weber is a civil trial lawyer, adviser, and corporate/nonprofit board member who writes about human decision-making. Craig Johnson is a criminal defense lawyer and President of the Wisconsin Justice Initiative, which advocates for change in Wisconsin’s justice system.

Messrs. Weber and Johnson will discuss the law and practice of bail and why bail reform requires data-driven decisions.

3D printing, as it stands today, is a global powerhouse. The long presence in the marketplace as strictly a prototyping tool is now a thing of the past. Matthew will be discussing where the major changes in 3D printing have occurred, and the major impact it has made on manufacturing.

Michael, a speaker in high demand and author of Bull and Baird market blog, engaged us about a year ago with tales of crypto currency. Join us for a lively discussion on not only how to think about markets and investing, but easy steps you can take to improve your overall wellbeing in these uncertain times.

On December 7th, we welcomed Jim Kanter, the Chief Commercial Officer and first non-founder C-level executive for Central Standard Craft Distillery. Jim brings more years of hands-on industry experience to the role including nearly 15 years at MillerCoors as General Manager of Wisconsin, VP of Commercial Operations and Marketing Director.

Jim also provided an overview of Central Standard, industry trends as well as exciting future plans for this fast-growing Milwaukee-based business and its iconic brands.

On November 23rd we welcomed Michael Jahr, Senior Vice President at the Badger Institute. As an experienced communications strategist, Michael uses storytelling and networking to build movements, inform public opinion and improve lives.

Today’s economic climate presents very real challenges for employers seeking reliable workers. Michael discusses why consideration should be given to a group of employees who are often left out of the labor force but would greatly benefit from stable employment - those with a criminal record. Michael also addresses Wisconsin’s criminal justice system, who is being released from prison, the benefits of hiring individuals with a criminal record and share testimonials from employers already engaged in hiring people with criminal records.

On November 9th we welcomed  Dr. Gregory Burek and Dr. Erich Roush of the Veterans Program at Advocate Aurora Health. Dr. Burek is the Medical Director of Veterans Program at Aurora, former chief resident in the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Residency Program, and military veteran. Dr. Roush is an army veteran and current psychologist specializing in veteran mental health at Aurora’s Dewey Center in Wauwatosa.

Both Dr. Burek and Dr. Roush addressed the evolving Veterans Retraining Program at Advocate Aurora Health. 

On November 2nd, we welcomed Leon Todd, Executive Director of the Fire and Police Commission. Appointed to the position last November, Todd's role as Executive Director includes providing leadership, guidance, and coordination in public safety matters as a member of the Mayor’s cabinet and as chief administrator of the functions performed by the citizen Board of Fire and Police Commissioners. Todd addressed the organizational structure and history of the Fire and Police Commission (FPC), as well as the duties and responsibilities of the FPC Board and its full-time staff.

On October 26th, we welcomed Mike Paddock. Mike will explore the history of Rotary and the United Nations, its current accomplishments and the global challenges that lay ahead in a COVID-19 recovery. He also addressed his work in the Guatemalan Highlands through his experience in Engineers Without Borders.