Serving others, connecting work with purpose and meaning, staying grounded and striving for better are some of the values Christine brings to life at Cousins. Christine makes leading with such optimism look easy, but she shares that she’s really intentional about developing these positive leadership competencies. One of Christine’s tips for being a successful leader is to walk away from the laptop, put the work down and just think. That and occasionally blasting some '80s hair band music in the car, keeps Christine motivated to be her best.A partnership with The Brimful Life.

BizTimes MKE: Milwaukee Business Insights

Christine Specht: Put work down and just think│Ep. 28

The 2020 BizTimes M&A Forum featured a panel discussion with Andrea Bukacek, CEO of Bukacek Construction, Sharad Chadha, CEO of Sprecher Brewing, Paul Grunau, chief learning officer at APi Group, and Ryan Martin, CEO of Midwest Composite Technologies. Panelists shared lessons learned from their own M&A journeys, including the importance of trust in a deal and financing coming together, the role culture plays in success after a transaction, and some of the tough decisions buyers and sellers have to make as a deal comes together. The panel was moderated by Ann Hanna, managing director and owner of Taureau Group, an event sponsor. Other sponsors included Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. and Old National Bank.

2020 BizTimes M&A Forum: Lessons in culture, trust and buying and selling businesses│Ep. 27

John Austin, a Senior Fellow with the Brookings Institution, talks about his recent report: “As the venture capital game gets bigger, the Midwest keeps missing out.” According to the report, those working to accelerate economic growth in the Heartland must face some stark realities. The Great Lakes region continues to export wealth to coastal economies, even as investment leaders try to equalize growth between the coasts and the Heartland. The region sees only a tiny fraction of venture capital (VC) deals, despite producing one quarter to one third of the nation’s research and development, new patents, and top talent. Great Lakes VC funds are currently seen as too small or too unknown for investors—at a time when VC is funding fewer firms with bigger exits.In partnership with the Rotary Club of Milwaukee.

John Austin: Why the Midwest is missing out on venture capital│Ep. 26

This episode was recorded live at PodFest in Milwaukee. Beth Ridley talks with David Lee, CEO of the start-up arts and culture non-Profit, ImagineMKE.From screen writer to chef, actor to investment banker and now non-profit leader, David’s professional journey has been eclectic to say the least. But through it all, being interested, curious and willing to learn have been keys to David’s success and what has ultimately led him to his current role that is tailored made for him. In this episode, you’ll get great career advice, leadership advice and arm wrestling advice. A partnership with The Brimful Life.

David Lee: Professional development and arm wrestling advice │Ep. 25

James Hedrick, co-founder and CEO of Azul 3d, was recently named to the 2020 Forbes 30 under 30 in the Manufacturing and Industry category. During a recent Rotary Club of Milwaukee presentation, he talked about the surge of developments in 3D printing and what it means—tailored for a lay audience.  This was a joint program with the Kellogg and Harvard Business School alums.In partnership with the Rotary Club of Milwaukee.

James Hedrick: Developments in 3D printing│Ep. 24

Michael Sheppard, managing partner at IronwoodDrive Financial Group, uses diversity as a differentiator in an industry that has been slow to reflect the changing demographics of consumers. Michael encourages his financial advisors to embrace their differences and be their authentic selves in order to establish trust with clients - which is the key to success.In partnership with The Brimful Life

Michael Sheppard: Driving diversity in financial services│Ep. 23

Procrastinate and Flourish!  This was a favorite saying of former Federal Reserve Chairman, Paul Volcker.  Using his career as a reference point, Sara Walker of BMO Wealth Management discussed the changing role of global central banks and the expectations and limitations they face.  This backdrop created the foundation for an economic and capital markets review and outlook.  Consumer activity was under the magnifying glass in an effort to separate noise from outcomes as we begin 2020.   All of this was designed to help inform business decisions and personal investment decisions as well as answer any questions audience members had.In partnership with The Rotary Club of Milwaukee. 

Sara Walker: From 'Procrastinate and Flourish' to 'We're in a Good Place'│Ep. 22

Tina Jones has been executive director of Girls on the Run of Southeastern Wisconsin since 2012. On this episode she and Girls on the Run ambassador Lyrique Jackson join host Beth Ridley of The Brimful Life to talk about the organization, lessons learned from running and the upcoming Sneaker Soiree. Jones also discusses how she’s learned to take things as they come and Jackson shares how Girls on the Run has helped her deal with getting angry quickly. In partnership with The Brimful Life.

Tina Jones of Girls on the Run: Taking on challenges one mile at a time│Ep. 21

Is it possible to have a non-partisan discussion about impeachment?   Former Milwaukee County Circuit Judge John Franke believes the answer is “yes,” and started the New Year by giving Rotarians a look at the ultimate check and balance given to us by our Constitution.  The President cannot fire Congress; why is it that Congress has the power to send the President packing?  In what ways is an impeachment quite different than a criminal proceeding?  What should we expect of our elected representatives in what has been a highly partisan process?  Franke offers a non-partisan discussion about the history and development of our impeachment procedures and consider why an impeachment need not so divide us.In partnership with the Rotary Club of Milwaukee

John Franke: A non-partisan guide to impeachment │Ep. 20

In addition to speaker presentations, the 2020 BizTimes Economic Trends Conference featured a panel discussion featuring Michael Knetter, economist and president of the University of Wisconsin Foundation, John Kissinger, president and CEO of GRAEF-USA Inc., Austin Ramirez, president and CEO of Husco International, and Jack Salzwedel, CEO of American Family Insurance. Event sponsors included Annex Wealth Management, BMO Harris Bank and SVA along with supporting sponsors Bridgewood Advisors and Vistage. 

BizTimes Economic Trends Panel Q&A│Ep. 19

Beth Ridley interviews entrepreneur extraordinaire, Faye Wetzel, founder and owners of Faye's contemporary women's fashion boutiques in Mequon and Brookfield. Faye attributes her success as an entrepreneur in the ever changing retail industry to staying curios, leading with purpose and strong values and making panic her friend.In partnership with The Brimful Life.

Faye Wetzel: Entrepreneurs should make panic their friend │ Ep. 18

David Riemer, senior fellow at Community Advocates Public Policy Institute, discussed his new book "Putting Government in its Place: The Case for a New Deal 3.0" during a recent Rotary Club of Milwaukee program. Riemer makes the case that the New Deal model has sputtered since the 1970s in the face of international competition and disruptive technology. He argues for strengthening broad-based economic security programs and bolstering market regulation while also eliminating means-tested welfare programs and market-manipulating subsidies. A partnership with the Rotary Club of Milwaukee.

David Riemer: Strengthening broad-based economic security with a New Deal 3.0│Ep. #17

Kimberly Kane, president and CEO of Kane Communications Group, started Kane Communications with a goal of being a different kind of company and a different kind of leader. With a focus on client outcomes, employee growth and development as well as diversity and inclusion, Kane Communications is the type of company you’d love to work for and work with.A partnership with The Brimful Life.

Kimberly Kane - Creating the type of company you’d love to work for │ Ep. 16

Steve Glickman is the co-founder and former CEO of the Economic Innovation Group (EIG), a bipartisan research and policy organization in Washington, D.C. focused on addressing economic inequality through the creation of a new marketplace for private equity investments in distressed communities. In a recent presentation to the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, Glickman discussed the successes and challenges of the first two years of the Opportunity Zone program in the U.S – as well as best practices for investing in a fund. See his slide presentation here.In partnership with the Rotary Club of Milwaukee.

Steve Glickman - The opportunity created by Opportunity Zones│Ep. 15

Amanda Baltz is an entrepreneur, business leader, mom of five and CEO of Spaulding Medical. She finds harmony between her personal and professional lives and the energy to pour into her work and home families by focusing on herself first.A partnership with The Brimful Life.

Amanda Baltz - The secret to being fabulous at work and home│Ep. #14

The BizTimes MKE podcast, powered by BizTimes Media, is designed to keep you informed and provide ideas and strategies to help improve your business. Each episode features thought-provoking insights and best practices from business and community leaders.

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BizTimes MKE: Milwaukee Business Insights

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