Rotary Club of Milwaukee Tuesday Speaker Series

Law enforcement agencies at all levels are committed to working with stakeholders to address human trafficking. We have to understand what human trafficking is and how best to fight it. As the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the area, United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger discussed the various forms of human trafficking we face in our region and suggested ways we can work together to prevent exploitation, bring justice to traffickers, and help victims.

We celebrated our 2019 Rotary Person of the Year, Rob Henken, President of the Wisconsin Policy Forum.

Chief Judge Maxine Aldridge White was unanimously appointed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court on three occasions, March 2015, May 2017 and June 13, 2019. She is the highest ranking administrative authority for the judicial branch of government in Milwaukee County, including personnel and fiscal management for 47 Circuit Courts and administrative authority over the 19 Municipal Courts. She chairs the Committee of Chief Judges, chairs the Milwaukee Community Justice Council, in addition to other duties. Previously she presided over Civil, Felony and Family cases.

Chief Judge White discussed the latest developments in juvenile justice reform in Wisconsin, highlighting landmark Supreme Court cases, the impact of research on adolescent brain development, trauma and the national trends toward effective treatment for young offenders.

The Milwaukee Press Club and the Rotary Club of Milwaukee presented a joint program on Tuesday, July 16, featuring Allan H. “Bud” Selig, Commissioner Emeritus of Baseball. The program featured a conversation between Selig and Tom Haudricourt, beat reporter for the Milwaukee Brewers and Major League Baseball for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The two discussed Selig’s book, For the Good of the Game, published July 9 by Harpercollins Publishers.

Selig was available for a limited time to sign copies of his book, which were available for sale at this event.

Mark Hogan provided an update on economic development efforts of WEDC and the State of Wisconsin and how WEDC has worked with regional partners to achieve job creation and retention wins in Southeastern Wisconsin. His presentation also highlighted how WEDC's programs enhance the quality of life at the local and regional level, and provided an update on talent attraction and retention efforts at both state and regional levels. 

For the past 100 yeas, the Milwaukee Urban League (MUL) has continued to build partnerships that empower communities and change lives. The early years of MUL not only included finding jobs and housing, but included the creation of a medical clinic and pharmacy to address healthcare needs for African-Americans. MUL strategically began to expand it's programming to further meet the needs of the community, adding social and recreational programs for youth and adults. Because of extensive segregation and discrimination during the early years, MUL became the connector to bridge gaps in housing, jobs, health, education, and economic development. Today, MUL focuses on three E's - Education, Employment, and Economic Vibrancy. Education and employment are two cornerstones that work to create the economic vibrancy that lifts our most vulnerable citizens out of despair and into more productive and successful lives. President and CEO, Dr Eve Hall, spoke to MUL's 100 year journey leading to today's work.

Sir Winston Churchill spoke to the Rotary Club of Milwaukee 75 years after the D-Day Allied Invasion of Nazi-occupied France.

Racine has joined the ranks of such well-known metro areas as Austin, Edmunton, Idianapolis, Las Vegas, Miami, and Philadelphia by earning its designation as a North American Smart City. Mayor Cory Mason described how "Inventtion City" defied the odds to become the first in Wisconsin and the smallest city in North America ever to be awarded that designation. He also discussed what a Smart City is; the exciting vision the City of Racine has to capitalize on its designation; and how Rotarians and Southeastern Wisconsin can be a part of this incredible opportunity as the other "Great City on a Great Lake" advances equity, sustainability, workability, and economic growth by leveraging technology.

Rotarian Richie Burke, founder of GoGeddit Marketing & Media (ggmm.io) and host of the GoGedders Podcast gave a brief speech on the state of audio and the rise of podcasting as a platform. Immediately following he conducted a live podcast highlighting and interviewing two Rotary Scholars Mayra Alaniz and Kenyon Terrell about their stories and how the program has affected their paths.

A vocal advocate for our service members, veterans, military families and familes of the fallen, Kimberly Mitchell is the first non-Vietnam Veteran to be CEO of Veterans Village of San Diego which serves more than 3,000 veterans annually by providing various programs for homeless vets. Kim was adopted by an Airman from an orphanage in Da'Nang Vietnam after she was found in her deceased mother's arms on the side of the road. She grew up on a family farm in northern Wisconsin. Kin served for 17 years in the US Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer and holds a Bachelor's degree in Ocean Engineering from the United States Naval Academy.

Click here to view the PowerPoint from Kim's Presentation.