Paul Verdu, Managing Director for Asahi Beer USA
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Tuesday Speaker Series
Release Date: 08/21/2025
Veterans Community Project with Janice Bell and Ben Hendershot
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Tuesday Speaker Series
In honor of Veterans Day, Rotarians welcomed Janice Bell and Ben Hendershot from the Veterans Community Project to share their innovative approach to ending veteran homelessness. They also highlighted plans for VCP’s new Milwaukee campus, which will feature 40 tiny homes and onsite services on a 7-acre site along North 60th Street.
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Chris Corkery, Founder and CEO of Hundred Acre
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Tuesday Speaker Series
Yesterday, Chris Corkery, Founder and CEO of Hundred Acre, joined us to share the story of his state-of-the-art indoor hydroponic farm in Milwaukee, where fresh produce grows year-round—without soil, pesticides, and using 95% less water than traditional farms. Chris also highlighted how Hundred Acre’s vertical farming technology creates “endless summer” conditions to produce five times more food per square foot, redefining the future of local agriculture.
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Celebrating 80 Years of the United Nations with Jack Leslie
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Tuesday Speaker Series
This week in Memorial Hall, we marked the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations with an address by Jack Leslie, a renowned communications strategist and international development leader. Jack called for rebuilding trust and creating a new global framework that empowers local leadership and partnerships to better address today’s challenge around the world.
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Serhiy Koledov, the Consul General of Ukraine in Chicago
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Tuesday Speaker Series
This week in Memorial Hall, we were honored to welcome Serhiy Koledov, the Consul General of Ukraine in Chicago. The Consul General spoke about the current situation in Ukraine, sharing insights on the nation’s economic recovery and the growing opportunities for investment in the country.
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Talent Retention in Wisconsin with Ian Abston, Maurice Thomas, and Joe Poeschl
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Tuesday Speaker Series
This week's program featured Rotarians Ian Abston, Maurice Thomas, and Joe Poeschl, who shared how the next generation of Milwaukeeans is intentionally building networks that strengthen both personal and community growth. They also shared inspiring stories of connection and collaboration through Forward 48, the region’s premier leadership development program.
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Brian Thompson, Chief Innovation & Partnership Officer at UWM
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.
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Dr. Brenda Cassellius, Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools.
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Tuesday Speaker Series
This week in Memorial Hall, reflected on her first six months as Superintendent of . She outlined progress on lead paint stabilization, enhancements to financial reporting, and the rollo
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Paul Bartolotta, the Co-Owner of the Bartolotta Restaurants
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Tuesday Speaker Series
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.
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Michael Antonelli, Market Strategist for Baird Private Wealth Management
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Tuesday Speaker Series
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.
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Commercial Real Estate in Southeast Wisconsin
Rotary Club of Milwaukee Tuesday Speaker Series
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.
info_outlineThis 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.