25 big ideas for Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin’s future

When we set out to plan for the 25th anniversary issue of BizTimes Milwaukee, we knew we wanted it to be forward-looking and we didn’t want it to focus too much on us and the past. Sure, it is nice to reflect on the growth of BizTimes over the past 25 years, but it is more important to help move our region forward. So, we asked business leaders from around the community to share their vision for Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin’s future. Specifically, we asked them to look ahead at the next 25 years and come up with their “big, hairy audacious goal” or “BHAG” for Milwaukee and the region. We hope the goals described below inspire you to dream big about the future of Milwaukee. Shorter versions of these goals were included in the March 29 issue of BizTimes Milwaukee. Have your own ambitious goal for Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin? Share it with editor Andrew Weiland at Andrew.weiland@biztimes.com and we may run it in our Viewpoints feature.

1. Jeremy Fojut: Create a Department of Transformation
2. Austin Ramirez: Have the highest performing schools in the nation
3. Jeff Morin: Increasing diversity of faculty in higher education
4. Frank Cumberbatch: A Milwaukee reset
5. Ian Abston: Pitch Milwaukee, Madison and Chicago as a power triangle
6. Dr. Eve Hall: Develop a regional transportation system
7. August Ball: Make Milwaukee the environmental comeback kid
8. Benjamin Juarez: Establish the Milwaukee Visions Academy
9. Joel Quadracci: Employers investing in employment opportunity equity
10. Lisa Reardon: Create a vibrant water trail
11. Julia Taylor: A call to action for Milwaukee now for 2046
12. Denise Thomas: Develop a resident attraction plan
13. Matt Rinka: Develop more uses for festival grounds
14. Crystal Miller: The burden of caring should fall on all of us
15. Lisa Caesar: Leverage new media to advance the artistry of MKE creatives
16. Mike Anderes: Build a health operating system for the region 
17. John W. Daniels IV: Build a think tank to support young entrepreneurs
18. Nancy Hernandez: Close the college degree gap
19. Tom Fotsch: Business leaders work toward a ‘colorblind’ community
20. James Barry III: Milwaukee fully implements its comprehensive plan
21. Oby Nwabuzor: Develop thriving ecosystems 
22. Mark Fairbanks: Establish the Brilliant Research Lab for Neurodiverse Creativity 
23. Katherine Gehl: Institute Final-Five Voting in Wisconsin
24. Tim Sheehy: Let’s double down on our greatest asset: our people
25. Todd McLees: Training for digital, data and human skills