Executive Leadership Series
The Executive Leadership Series brings professionals together with local executives who are making an impact in their careers and community. The series is designed to give you greater access to local leaders, new perspectives, and meaningful connections with professionals who share a desire to grow, lead, and give back.
Executive Leadership Series
Leadership Up Close: Conversations with Milwaukee's Executive Leaders
What can you learn when you have the opportunity to sit down with some of our community's top leaders—not just hear from them on a stage?
This year's Executive Leadership Series puts conversation at the center of the experience. Guests will choose two sessions with local executives, offering the opportunity to hear their perspectives, ask questions, and explore the experiences that have shaped how they lead with purpose in their careers, organizations, and community.
Thursday, November 19, 2026
4:30 p.m. – 7:00 P.M.
Foley & Lardner LLP
777 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Registration & Networking
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Breakout Session #1
5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Breakout Session #2
6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Break/Networking/Raffle
6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Closing Conversations
Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be available.
Choose Your Conversations
You'll have the opportunity to participate in two 30-minute conversations with our featured leaders. Select the sessions most relevant to you and come ready to listen, ask questions and engage.
Closing Conversation
We’ll come back together to share key takeaways, valuable insights, and questions sparked by the breakout conversations. Hear what resonated across the room and leave with perspectives from all four featured leaders, not just the two sessions you attended.
Leadership Experiences That Give Back:
Throughout the evening, guests will have opportunities to support United Way while connecting with leaders across our community. Explore unique leadership experiences and opportunities designed to build connections, continue the conversation, and give back—all benefiting United Way’s Community Campaign.
featured leaders
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 to fighting for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our local community. Under Amy’s leadership, United Way raised more than $425 million for the community since 2018.
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 Amy 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.
A native of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Amy holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Notre Dame Law School.
JoAnne Anton
President & CEO, Herb Kohl Philanthropies
JoAnne Anton is President & CEO of Herb Kohl Philanthropies, where she leads the foundation’s strategy, investments, and community partnerships. Previously, she spent more than two decades in public service, holding senior roles with federal, state, and local elected officials, while also playing an active role in her family’s businesses.
Throughout her career, Anton has served at pivotal moments for Wisconsin. She served as Director of Governor Tony Evers’ Transition Team and held a leadership role with the Milwaukee Bucks during the planning and development of the team’s new downtown arena and subsequent ownership transition.
Today, JoAnne co-chairs the Milwaukee Reading Coalition, is a member of the Secure Futures Advisory Council, and serves on the boards of First Federal Bank of Wisconsin, the Greater Milwaukee Committee, the UW–Madison La Follette School of Public Affairs, Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County. She is also a past president of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee.
JoAnne earned her bachelor’s degree from Marquette University and her master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
Anthony Hudson
Head of Distribution, BMO
Anthony Hudson is the U.S. Head of Distribution for BMO, overseeing employee experience, client loyalty, and profitability across the U.S. branch network. Previously, he served as Regional President, Head of Retail Banking for BMO in Wisconsin. Prior, Hudson led the Economic Equity Advisory team for BMO within their EMpower initiative. Here Hudson helped launch and accelerate work to foster inclusive economic recovery across the U.S. footprint.
Today, Anthony serves as trustee for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and is a committee co-chair for Project REACh, an organization launched by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, focused on economic access and change. Hudson was named a 2024 Milwaukee Top 100 Power Broker and a 2017 Milwaukee Business Journal 40 Under 40 awardee.
He holds a B.S. in Business Administration (Finance) from Xavier University in Cincinnati and completed an executive banking program through the Consumer Bankers Association at Furman University.
Margaret "Peggy" C. Kelsey
EVP, WEC Energy
Margaret “Peggy” C. Kelsey joined WEC Energy Group as Executive Vice President in September 2017, later assuming roles as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary (2018) and Compliance Officer (2021). She manages all corporate legal matters while overseeing environmental, ethics, and compliance functions.
Peggy’s professional honors include the Milwaukee Business Journal’s Woman of Influence (2005) and Best Corporate Counsel (2012), UWM’s Graduate of the Last Decade Award (2008), the Wisconsin Titan 100 inaugural class (2023), and an honorary Doctor of Laws from Mount Mary University (2025).
She serves on the Marquette University Women’s Council and sits on the boards of directors for the Greater Milwaukee Committee, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, North Shore Bank, Teach for America – Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Foundation, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, and the Zoological Society of Milwaukee.
Peggy holds a bachelor's degree in history from Mount Mary University, a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University, and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
John R. Raymond Sr., MD
President & CEO, Medical College of Wisconsin
John R. Raymond Sr., MD, is a physician-scientist, nephrologist, educator, and academic leader whose career has focused on advancing medicine through clinical care, biomedical research, medical education, and institutional leadership. Since 2010, he has served as the sixth President and CEO of the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW).
Throughout his career, Dr. Raymond’s work has reflected a sustained commitment to advancing kidney medicine, training future physicians and scientists, and strengthening academic medicine to improve community health.
Dr. Raymond's leadership is reflected in his commitment to the social mission of academic medicine. His scholarship and institutional work have addressed health disparities, community health, medical education, gender equity, professionalism, and the responsibilities of academic health centers to the communities they serve. He has also contributed to scholarship examining racial and ethnic differences in health outcomes, including COVID-19 outcomes in southeastern Wisconsin.
Dr. Raymond earned his medical degree in 1982 from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and completed his internship, residency, chief residency, and nephrology fellowship at Duke University Medical Center.
