Launched in November 2024, CONNECTIONS is a program that profiles the members of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee. Tom Luljak, a fellow Rotarian, interviews some of our city's most interesting people who help to make southeastern Wisconsin a great place to work and live.
Jenna Renno, Executive Director, Bernie's Book Bank
What happens when a child doesn't have a single book to call their own?
In this episode of CONNECTIONS, our host Tom Luljak sits down with Rotarian Jenna Renno, Executive Director of Bernie's Book Bank of Greater Milwaukee, to explore how putting books directly into the hands of children can help build a lifelong love of reading.
Jenna also shares how the organization provides children with eight free books each year, its plans to reach 70,000 children across the Milwaukee area, and why collaboration, volunteers and community support are essential to improving literacy.
Listen or watch CONNECTIONS wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube on the Rotary website.
11 Aug 2026
Dan Nelson Jr., President and CEO of Nelson Schmidt Inc.
In this episode of CONNECTIONS, our host Tom Luljak sits down with Dan Nelson Jr., President and CEO of Nelson Schmidt Inc. to discuss his role with Rotary's Maritime Committee and the work that goes into bringing Live @ the Lakefront to the Milwaukee community each year. Dan also shares insights from his career in marketing and communications, the evolution of the industry, and how his background in biology and psychology has influenced his approach to understanding consumers and their decision-making.
29 Jun 2026
Mary McCormick, Retired Executive Director, Rotary Club of Milwaukee
Check out the latest episode of CONNECTIONS, as our host Tom Luljak sits down with our longtime Executive Director Mary McCormick as she reflects on her 25 years of leadership with the Rotary Club of Milwaukee.
Mary discusses the member-driven initiatives that have transformed Milwaukee, the growth of the Club's scholarship and international service efforts, and the leadership philosophy that guided her throughout her 25-year career.
You can listen to CONNECTIONS wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, on the Rotary website, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.
26 May 2026
MEDIA EDITION: Kynala Phillips of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Ron Smith of the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Introducing CONNECTIONS: The Media Edition, a podcast from the downtown Rotary Club of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Press Club that explores how local journalists and media organizations are adapting to today's rapidly changing media landscape. Through conversations with reporters, editors, and community leaders, the show examines how newsrooms are covering Milwaukee's neighborhoods, building trust with residents, and addressing issues impacting local communities. Each episode offers an inside look at the challenges, innovations, and civic importance of community-focused journalism.
In this special first episode of CONNECTIONS: The Media Edition, hosts Tom Luljak and Maredithe Meyer speak with Kynala Phillips of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Ron Smith of the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service about the evolving role of neighborhood journalism in Milwaukee. They explore how both organizations are building trust within communities, expanding coverage of historically underrepresented neighborhoods, and creating more community-centered approaches to local news reporting.
16 Mar 2026
JoAnne Anton, President & CEO, Herb Kohl Philanthropies
In this episode of CONNECTIONS, host Tom Lujak talks with JoAnne Anton, President and CEO of Herb Kohl Philanthropies, about her remarkable career in public service and community impact. JoAnne reflects on her longtime partnership with Herb Kohl, sharing stories about his commitment to service, education, and the people of Wisconsin. She also discusses her path from Milwaukee's family dry-cleaning business to leadership in philanthropy and the lasting impact of Kohl's legacy across the state.
11 Feb 2026
Jerry Stepaniak, Chair of Rotary's World Community Service Committee, and Laura Johnson, Marquette University Engineering Student
On this episode of CONNECTIONS, host Tom Luljak sits down with fellow Rotarian Jerry Stepaniak and Marquette University student Laura Johnson about Rotary Club of Milwaukee's partnership bringing clean water to communities in Guatemala.
They share how hands-on collaboration is transforming lives abroad while shaping the next generation of civic-minded engineers. You'll hear inspiring stories from the field and see how Milwaukee leaders and students are making a real difference together.
12 Nov 2025
Chad Bauman, Executive Director of the Milwaukee Repertory Theater
In this episode, Rotarian and Milwaukee Rep Executive Director Chad Baumann discusses the theater's $80 million renovation and its transformative impact on Milwaukee's arts community.
He also highlights the Rep's strong audience engagement, educational outreach, and the vital role of philanthropy in sustaining Wisconsin's underfunded arts sector.
Listen to the conversation on CONNECTIONS wherever you get your podcasts—including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and the Rotary website.
2 Oct 2025
Milwaukee Health Commissioner Mike Totoraitis, RCM Executive Director Mary McCormick, and polio survivor Kristine Hinrichs
In this special episode of CONNECTIONS, Milwaukee Health Commissioner Mike Totoraitis, RCM Executive Director, Mary McCormick, and polio survivor Kristine Hinrichs discuss Rotary’s decades-long fight to eradicate polio.
They share personal stories, global progress, and the ongoing efforts to protect millions of children worldwide ahead of World Polio Day on October 24th.
Listen to the conversation on CONNECTIONS wherever you get your podcasts—including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and the Rotary website.
29 Aug 2025
Paige Radke of UMB Wealth Management, Antoine Carter of the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation, and Carol Alexander Barnes of KCB Buildings LLC
On this edition of CONNECTIONS, host Tom Luljak sits down with three young and ambitious Rotarians who are shaping the future of Milwaukee: Paige Radke of UMB Wealth Management, Antoine Carter of the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation, and Carol Alexander Barnes of KCB Buildings LLC.
They share their perspectives as up-and-coming leaders, offering insight into how the next generation of Rotarians is making an impact in their professions, their community, and within the club.
23 Jul 2025
Ian Abston and Michael Hostad, Co-Founders of Light the Hoan
On this edition of CONNECTIONS, host Tom Luljak shines a light on the good work of fellow Rotarian Ian Abston and Michael Hostad…two of the people who are the driving force behind lighting the Daniel Hoan Bridge in Milwaukee. We’ll hear about the impact Lighting the Hoan has had on Milwaukee’s image around the world…and how it has affected the way Milwaukeans themselves feel about their home town.
25 Jun 2025
Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21
Milwaukee Downtown CEO Beth Weirick discusses her decades of service and passion for transforming Milwaukee into a vibrant community in an interview with host Tom Luljak.
19 May 2025
Kevin Shafer, Executive Director of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
In this episode of CONNECTIONS, host Tom Luljak sits down with new Rotarian Kevin Shafer, the Executive Director of MMSD - the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.
Kevin has been working on water issues for much of his career and is recognized as a national leader in water management. He’s been called a visionary because of his work to stop sewer overflows into Lake Michigan and using Green Infrastructure.
We’ll hear about Kevin’s ability to create strong partnerships between MMSD and other leading organizations committed to keeping Milwaukee and Wisconsin’s waterways safe for future generations.
21 Apr 2025
Beth Ridley, Founder & CEO of Ridley Consulting Group
Founder and CEO of Ridley Consulting Group, Beth Ridley, joins host Tom Luljak on the newest episode of CONNECTIONS.
10 Mar 2025
Frank Cumberbatch, Vice President of Engagement at Bader Philanthropies
In this episode of CONNECTIONS, host Tom Luljak has a Frank discussion…as in Frank Cumberbatch, Vice President of Engagement at Bader Philanthropies.
Frank’s responsibilities include leading the Foundation’s exploration of a neighborhood, place-based strategy to complement the Foundation’s existing grantmaking, with an emphasis on the Harambee neighborhood.
We’ll hear how Frank's own determination and discipline lifted him from a life of poverty in Trinidad to an existence in the U.S. he could only dream about as a profoundly shy, severely asthmatic boy.
11 Feb 2025
Erin Richards, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Newsroom Development for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
In the fourth episode of CONNECTIONS, Tom Luljak sits down with Erin Richards, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Newsroom Development for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
7 Feb 2025
Dr. Jeremy Kedziora, Endowed Chair of Artificial Intelligence at MSOE
Rotarians heard from Dr. Jeremy Kedziora, Endowed Chair of Artificial Intelligence at MSOE, for a data-driven exploration of three key AI trends shaping 2025. This insightful talk will covered the plateauing of large language model performance, the rise of agentic systems, and AI’s evolving impact on the labor market. He also highlighted how MSOE is leading in this space, offering a glimpse into the innovative AI initiatives happening on campus.
8 Jan 2025
Kent Lovern, Milwaukee County District Attorney
In this episode of CONNECTIONS, incoming Rotary President and Milwaukee County District Attorney Kent Lovern joins host Tom Luljak. As a seasoned prosecutor, Kent recognizes that action in the criminal justice system should be coupled with community efforts that diminish poverty and expand economic opportunity. He celebrates the many ways that Rotary has expanded his knowledge of Milwaukee and friendships outside circle.
9 Dec 2024
Corey Zetts, Executive Director of Menomonee Valley Partners
Rotary Club of Milwaukee member Corey Zetts, Executive Director of Menomonee Valley Partners, shares how Milwaukee inspires her and the influence of philosophy on her work and projects like the B-Line Park.
11 Nov 2024
Saj Thachenkary, Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement at MSOE
Launched in November 2024, CONNECTIONS is a program that profiles the members of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee. Tom Luljak, a fellow Rotarian, interviews some of our city’s most interesting people who help to make southeastern Wisconsin a great place to work and live.
On this episode, Tom sits down with the current 2024 Club President and Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement at MSOE, Saj Thachenkary.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 34 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
55
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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