Rotary Club of Milwaukee Tuesday Speaker Series

This week in Memorial Hall, Brian Thompson, UW -Milwaukee's Chief Innovation & Partnership Officer, shared how their Lubar Entrepreneurship Center empowers students and community leaders to think like entrepreneurs—spotting opportunities, testing bold ideas, and turning them into real solutions.

This week in Memorial Hall, Dr. Brenda Cassellius reflected on her first six months as Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools. She outlined progress on lead paint stabilization, enhancements to financial reporting, and the rollo

Yesterday in Memorial Hall, Chef Paul Bartolotta, Co-Owner of the Bartolotta Restaurants, shared personal stories about his family and his roots in Milwaukee. He also reflected on the history of the Bartolotta Restaurants and shared how the pandemic reshaped the hospitality industry, including the ways he navigated those challenges.

On Tuesday, Rotarians heard from Michael Antonelli, Market Strategist for Baird Private Wealth Management, on one of today's most talked-about topics- cryptocurrency. Michael offered a refresher on what crypto is, how it's used, and where it came from, while also exploring the investment implications and the current state of the industry.

This week in Memorial Hall, Tracy Johnson, the President and CEO of the Commercial Association of Realtors Wisconsin, Jim Barry, President of the Barry Company, and Matt Hunter, CEO of Hunter Real Estate shared their perspectives on the commercial real estate market in Southeast Wisconsin. They discussed the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry, what's driving demand, and how shifting trends are impacting businesses and communities.

This week in Memorial Hall Dr. John Raymond, President & CEO of the Medical College of Wisconsin shared how stable research funding and strong public private partnerships are so important for advancing health and innovation. He also explained how Milwaukee's research enterprise drives economic growth, regional development, and better health outcomes for all.

Yesterday, Vincent Lyles of Milwaukee Succeeds and Jeff Pertl, Wisconsin Secretary of Children and Families discussed how new state funding for childcare came to be and its impact on families and providers across Wisconsin. They also explored what the future may hold once this temporary investment concludes next year.

This week in Memorial Hall, Rotarians heard from Paul Verdu, Managing Director for Asahi Beer USA, who shared insights on the rapidly evolving beverage-alcohol industry. Paul also discussed how shifting consumer preferences and emerging trends are driving innovation and shaping Asahi's approach to growth.

Milwaukee stands at a turning point, with new opportunities on the horizon that demand fresh thinking. This week in Memorial Hall, Rebecca Gries, Executive Director of the Milwaukee 7 Regional Partnership (M7), explored how the region can build a more resilient and prosperous future by embracing change.

On Tuesday, Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York/New Jersey Host Committee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup shared details on the NY/NJ region's role as the centerpiece of the tournament's U.S. footprint. Alex covered how the region is preparing to host eight matches, including the Final Match, and highlighted the large-scale, cross-region coordination underway to deliver 39 days of unparalleled excitement and fan experiences.