Executive Leadership Series
The Executive Leadership Series creates an opportunity for professionals to hear from local executives who are making an impact in their careers, organizations, and community.
Executive Leadership Series
Beyond the Panel: Leadership Insights & Interactive Breakouts
What does it mean to be a leader — not only in your career, but in your community? Join us for an evening of leadership insights and interactive conversations with executives who live out that balance every day.
The program begins with a panel moderated by president and CEO of United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, Amy Lindner, where our featured leaders will share their perspectives on growth, purpose, and impact. Afterward, attendees will join the breakout session of their choice to go deeper into the topic most relevant to their own journey.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insight from local executives while also meeting and building relationships with other professionals who share the same drive to grow and give back.
Thursday, November 6
4:30 p.m. – 7:30 P.M.
The Pfister Hotel
Imperial Ballroom
424 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Registration & Networking
5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. | Panel
5:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Breakout Sessions
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Reception
Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be available.
Questions, please contact Erin Keating at 414.263.8125 or via email.
Interactive Breakouts
Please review session topics prior to completing your registration.
Leading Through Change: Building Connection in New Spaces
Steve Hilton, Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Explore how to navigate new environments, whether it’s a career move, a new city, or a leadership role, while staying grounded in purpose and community. Learn how embracing transition can become one of your strongest leadership tools.
Women, Influence & Impact
Marla Habert, Milwaukee Bucks Foundation
Explore what it means to lead with authenticity and thrive as a woman in industries where influence and visibility often take extra intention. Strengthen your confidence, resilience, and executive presence while staying true to your values.
Redefining Work: Finding Purpose and Belonging
Rodney Jones-Tyson, Baird
Shift your mindset from “just doing a job” to creating meaning in the work you do every day. Learn how aligning your passions with your professional and community life can foster a deeper sense of purpose and belonging.
While every effort will be made to accommodate session preferences, we cannot guarantee that each guest will be assigned to their first choice.
Meet Our Panelists
Moderator
Amy Lindner
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
Amy Lindner is the president and CEO of United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County and is committed in creating a future where everyone, everywhere can reach their full potential.
Previously, Amy served as the president and CEO of Meta House, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit whose mission is to end the generational cycle of addiction by healing women and strengthening families, and she was a partner at the law firm of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren.
Amy has been recognized widely for her work including a Fellow by the Wisconsin Law Foundation, a 2014 Community Leader by the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee, a 2015 Milwaukee Business Journal 40 Under 40 award winner, a 2020 Milwaukee Business Journal Power Broker, a 2020 Betty Award by Milwaukee Magazine, and in 2024 by the Milwaukee Business Journal with a Women of Influence award.
Under Amy’s leadership, United Way has raised more than $350 million for the community since 2018.
Panelists
Steve Hilton
Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Steve Hilton is the Senior Vice President of Operations at Marcus Hotels & Resorts, where he provides strategic leadership across the company’s award-winning portfolio. He joined Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 2016 as General Manager of the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District, successfully opening the property in 2017. Under his leadership, the hotel quickly became a market leader across nearly every metric and was honored as Marriott International’s “Hotel of the Year” in 2019.
With more than 30 years of hospitality management experience, Steve has built a reputation for operational excellence, team development, and outstanding guest service. His career includes overseeing both branded and independent properties nationwide, where he consistently delivered strong results and enhanced each hotel’s market presence. Known for his ability to elevate performance and drive success, Steve’s leadership continues to strengthen Marcus Hotels & Resorts and set a standard of quality across the industry.
Marla Habert
Milwaukee Bucks Foundation
Marla Habert serves as the Executive Director of the Milwaukee Bucks Foundation, the official charitable arm of the Milwaukee Bucks. In her role, Marla leads the Foundation’s mission to enhance the health and well-being of underserved communities throughout Milwaukee. She also supported the Foundation’s focus on advancing initiatives that promote healthy behaviors, highlighted by the launch of the Bucks Health & Wellness program, and she led the establishment of the D.E.E.R. Accelerator.
Her career in philanthropy spans academic medicine and higher education, with previous roles at Harvard Business School as Senior Assistant Director of Development and at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate, as Assistant Director of Development. Prior to joining the Bucks, Marla served as the Assistant Vice President of Philanthropy in the Office of Institutional Advancement at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW).
She continues to leverage her expertise in philanthropy and community engagement to drive sustainable, high-impact investments that strengthen communities and expand opportunity throughout Milwaukee.
Rodney Jones-Tyson
Baird
Rodney Jones-Tyson is the Global Chief Human Resources Officer at Baird. In this role, Rodney is responsible for focusing on strategic issues and working to further organizational effectiveness, associate development, and Baird’s global inclusion & diversity strategy. Rodney oversees Human Resources, Corporate Real Estate & Workplace Solutions, Baird Travel and assists with the administration of the Baird Foundation.
Beginning his career at Baird in 1998 as an investment banker, Rodney was responsible for originating and executing merger and acquisition and equity financing transactions. Prior to his current role, he was Baird’s Chief Risk Officer and was the Global Chief Operating Officer for Baird’s Global Investment Banking group.
Rodney is a member of the board of directors of Associated Bank (NYSE: ASB), Centerspace (NYSE: CSR) and United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County. He is most proud of Baird’s recognition as one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For since 2004.
