Nonprofit News

SNL comedian takes stage in Milwaukee to fight cancer
Bayshore Community Foundation and Stan Kass, philanthropist and president of Skylark Vending will host “Laugh It Up Milwaukee 2012: Stand Up to Cancer” with SNL comedian Seth Meyers on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center starting at 8:30 p.m.
The event, which is presented in memory of Kass’ wife Lee, will benefit the JCC and Gilda’s Club of Southeastern Wisconsin.
“The JCC believes in partnership and the power of community as we see so many of our friends and neighbors experiencing challenges in their lives,” said Mark Shapiro, executive director of the JCC. “At this year’s event, thanks to the generous support of the Bayshore Community Foundation, we’re using stand-up comedy to stand up to cancer in partnership with Gilda’s Club.” 
The evening will mark the first annual presentation of “Laugh It Up Milwaukee,” an event designed to show the power of organizations coming together to meet the needs of the Greater Milwaukee community. 
The relationship between Gilda’s Club and the JCC began in 2010 after Gilda’s Club suffered devastating losses to their facility by flooding.
“The JCC has been a good friend and community partner to Gilda’s Club, having reached out to us in 2010 with a location to deliver our free program of cancer support,” said Trish Haudricourt, executive director of Gilda’s Club of Southeastern Wisconsin. “Now, the JCC is home to our first ‘Living Room,’ a warm and welcoming environment where those living with cancer participate in support groups and healthy lifestyle activities.  Our program of cancer support adds another facet of ‘wellness’ to the comprehensive wellness program the JCC currently offers its members.”
Meyers began his tenth season on SNL as a cast member this fall and his fifth season as both head writer and “Weekend Update” anchor.  Before focusing his attention solely on “Update,” Meyers was a regular player in sketches, performing numerous characters and impressions, most notably, an uncanny portrayal of Senator John Kerry for the show’s satire of the 2004 Presidential election.  Meyers served as the host of the 2010 and 2011 ESPY Awards on ESPN, and was the keynote speaker at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner last April.  Over the past seven years, Meyers has been featured in ten films, most recently in the 2011 movie I Don’t Know How She Does It.
Reserved tickets for the 21 and older event are available for $75 or $100, Tickets include a cocktail and dessert reception beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the JCC.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.laughitupmilwaukee.org or by calling 800-595-4TIX (4849).

Nonprofits invited to get an early glimpse of what is in store for 2012
Nonprofit executives are invited to attend BizTimes Media’s 11th annual Northern Trust Economic Trends Breakfast on Friday, Jan. 20. The event will feature area executives from a diverse range of industries who will share insights about the year ahead. Nonprofit organizations play an integral role in a flourishing economy. This event will provide southeastern Wisconsin business and nonprofit leaders with early forecasts about the worldwide trends that will affect their organizations in 2012.

The panelists will include:

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  • Michael Knetter, Ph.D., an economist and president of the University of Wisconsin Foundation. Knetter serves as a research associate for the National Bureau of Economic Research. He serves as a consultant to the International Monetary Fund. He previously served as an associate dean of the MBA program and professor of international economics in the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. He also served as a senior staff economist for the Council of Economic Advisors for former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Knetter will provide his annual macro-economic outlook for the year ahead.
  • Daniel Ariens, president and chief executive officer of Ariens Company, based in Brillion, Wis. Ariens Company manufactures outdoor power equipment for consumer and commercial use. Its products include walk-behind lawnmowers, riding lawn mowers, rear engine riders, string trimmers, tractors, zero turn mowers and snow blowers. The company sells its products through a dealer network, as well as home center and farm stores in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company serves landscape contractors, golf, turf, and sports turf industries. Dan Ariens is the great-grandson of company founder Henry Ariens. During his tenure at the helm, Dan has led several strategic acquisitions, creating a family of brands that represent several of the most respected names in the consumer and commercial equipment markets, as well as the replacement parts and accessories segment of the industry. Ariens will speak about the economic challenges and opportunities facing Wisconsin manufacturers in 2012.
  • Mark DiBlasi, president and CEO of Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc. in Cudahy.  Since joining Roadrunner, DiBlasi has transitioned the company from a single-service long-haul LTL (less than load) trucking company to a full-service transportation provider. Through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, the company has more than doubled in size since 2006, and its stock is now traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Roadrunner has annual sales of more than $771 million and more than 1,000 employees. Prior to joining Roadrunner, DiBlasi served as vice president of the Southern Division for FedEx Ground Inc. DiBlasi will speak about emerging trends in transportation and logistics.
  • Bill Haack, chairman and CEO of Zywave Inc. Haack founded Zywave, a provider of best-in-class software solutions for insurance brokers and financial planners around the world, in 1995. He previously served as chairman and CEO of Frank F. Haack & Associates, which grew under his leadership to become the largest independent insurance brokerage in Wisconsin. Haack will speak about cutting edge business technologies.
  • Frank Krejci, president and chief operating officer of Strattec Security Corp., a Milwaukee-based global manufacturer of automotive access products such as locks, key fobs, latches, handles power door mechanisms and contract die casting. Strattec has been providing parts to the automotive business for more than 100 years. The company has grown to have annual sales of more than $267 million and 2,500 employees, and its stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. Krejci’s prior experience included serving as an executive at Wisconsin Furniture, Briggs & Stratton Corp. and Cutler-Hammer. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Krejci will speak about the year ahead in the automotive industry.
  • Sara Meaney, a partner at Hanson Dodge Creative, America’s “leading active lifestyle agency.” Based in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, Hanson Dodge has been assisting brands to reach new audiences, embrace emerging technologies and distinguish themselves as market leaders for three decades. Recent clients that have sought Hanson Dodge’s brand-building services have included Wilson Sporting Goods, Trek Bicycle Corp., Wolverine Boots, Kmart and Volkswagen. Meaney will return for an encore of her presentation last year and discuss the latest trends for businesses in mobile technology and social media.

The 11th annual Northern Trust Economic Trends Breakfast will take place Friday, Jan. 20, 2012, at 7:30 a.m. at the Italian Conference Center in downtown Milwaukee. For additional information, visit www.biztimes.com/trends.

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