Rotary Club of Milwaukee Tuesday Speaker Series

On October 19th, we welcomed Damian Buchman, founder and Executive Director of The Ability Center, and Frank Cumberbatch, VP, Engagement at Bader Philanthropies. Damian and Frank will shared how their passion for service to others and their lived experiences led them to create The Opportunity Center.

On October 12th, Dr. Roebber addresses how Climate change is a problem that extends across all spatial and temporal scales and describe the big picture as to what the future looks like for the upper Midwest.

On October 5th President of the Milwaukee Bucks. Peter shares stories from the championship run that electrified Milwaukee and Wisconsin, and provide a look ahead to the 2021-22 season where the Milwaukee Bucks look to defend their title as NBA World Champions.

On September 28th we welcomed Captain Don Montoro, Commander Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan. Captain Montoro assumed his current position in June, 2020. As Commander, he leads efforts on Lake Michigan in Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, Aids to Navigation, Marine Safety and Homeland Security for the states of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Captain Montoro discusses the leadership lessons learned over a career spanning three decades.

On September 21st we welcomed author of The Milwaukee River Greenway: A Wealth of Nature in the Heart of the City, Eddee Daniel. The Milwaukee River Greenway, a system of connected parks along the river, is larger than New York’s Central Park. But, unlike that world-famous urban park, it is not well known. As the Artist in Residence for the River Revitalization Foundation, Eddee was able to photograph his journey through the Greenway to create his new book. Eddee shared the story about how the Greenway came to be protected and his stunning photographs will demonstrate what a treasure we have in our midst.

On September 14h we welcomed Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. Tom Barrett was elected as Milwaukee's 40th mayor in 2004, and has won reelection four times. This past August, President Joe Biden nominated Mayor Barrett to serve as the United State's ambassador to Luxembourg. Hear from Mayor Barrett Tuesday as he addressed his nomination as well as the work ahead for Milwaukee and its leaders.

On August 31st we welcomed Glenn Reid, CEO of Marathon Machines. Glen is a veteran Silicon Valley engineer / entrepreneur who has built many iconic products including iMovie and iPhoto at Apple, where he reported directly to Steve Jobs. His first job after college was at Adobe when it was a startup with 25 people, and has founded seven companies. He recently relocated his company, Marathon Machines, to Milwaukee, and co-founded the Valley Institute to build cultural bridges between the coasts and the great Midwest. Glenn will share lots of stories and experiences from a 30-year career in the heart of Silicon Valley and now 2 years in the Menomonee Valley.

On August 24th we welcomed Peggy Williams-Smith, CEO and President of VISIT Milwaukee. Peggy is responsible for promoting Milwaukee as an attractive travel destination and enhancing its public image as a dynamic place to live, work and visit. She also serves as the key spokesperson, ensuring ongoing and active communication with all tourism industry, public and private constituents and develops advocacy programs to communicate the mission and raise awareness of the organization. Peggy will give an overview of a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), and what short & long-term recovery looks like for tourism in Milwaukee.

On August 17th we welcomed Geeta Sankappanavar, the Co-founder of ESG Financial Inc. Most recently, Geeta served as President & co-founder of Grafton Asset Management, a ~$1B energy investment firm based in Calgary Alberta, where she was responsible for strategy, oversight and execution of all Grafton’s business and operating units. Prior to co-founding Grafton Asset Management, she was at New Vernon Capital, a $3B blue-chip asset management firm focused on India and the Emerging Markets. Geeta is taking her business building know-how in new directions with the formation of ESG Financial, a social impact fintech company whose mission is to create a more sustainable, equal and just world. More than a bank, ESG has set out to build a community and a better world. Join us today to find out how you can be part of solution.