Speakers

The Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin, Inc., was founded in 1975 with a goal of promoting a greater knowledge and appreciation of the role played by persons of Swedish descent in the growth and development of the State of Wisconsin through the story of immigration and settlement as well as recognizing the contributions Swedish-Americans have made to the American Experience. This program gives us an opportunity to honor our connection with Swedish Rotarians.

The Foundation Fighting Blindness was established in 1971 by a passionate group of families driven to find treatments and cures for inherited retinal diseases that were affecting their loved ones. At that time, little was known about these blinding retinal degenerative diseases. Very little research was being done, and there were no clinical trials for potential treatments. Today, the Foundation Fighting Blindness is the world’s leading private funder of retinal disease research. That funding has been a driving force behind the progress toward cures, including the identification of more than 270 genes linked to retinal disease, and the launch of 40 clinical trials for potential treatments.

In 2005, the City of Milwaukee’s 13th District Alderman and ten business owners formed the Airport Gateway Business Association, or AGBA, to revitalize the area around the airport. The City of Milwaukee approved Airport Gateway Business Improvement District #40, or AGBID, in 2006. Today, AGBA and AGBID position themselves together as The Gateway to Milwaukee, a business association that will market the district as an attractive environment for consumers and travelers, further community relations, and support local business development efforts.

Walkers Point Youth & Family Center's mission is to meet the needs of runaway, homeless and other troubled youth and their families from Milwaukee's diverse communities by providing services to empower youth, help them resolve personal and family problems, strengthen family relationships and support safe and stable homes.

Francesca Johnson is an Agency Liaison with the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Her goal is to work with businesses and organizations to educate the public about identity theft, privacy protection and other consumer protection topics through free presentations.