We're pleased to welcome District 6250 Governor Scott Ryan to Madison South Rotary on November 16th. Scott will share updates from around the district, talk about Rotary priorities for the year ahead, and spend some time getting to know our club and the work we're doing in our community.

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Empowering Leadership Teams with Amy Jo Esser

Amy Jo Esser is a leadership development expert, keynote speaker, and creator of Winning Rhythms™: The Finish Line Formula. She helps leaders and high-performing teams bridge the gap between potential and sustainable excellence by mastering the daily rhythms that drive consistent execution, stronger leadership, and long-term results. For our younger members, this is a must-see presentation that will help you build tools to excel further in your fields.

Let's Go!!!

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Robert Wynn is a nationally recognized leader in economic development, financial education, and wealth-building whose career spans more than four decades. He is the founder and president of CLIMB USA, Inc. (Communities Learning to Invest and Mobilize for Business), a nonprofit organization advancing financial capability and wealth creation through innovative Community Based Investment Enterprises.

Throughout his career, Mr. Wynn has founded or co-founded several organizations dedicated to expanding economic opportunity, including the Urban Economic Development Association (UEDA), Asset Builders of America, Land Rich, Akamai LLC, and ProSquared LLC.

Before launching CLIMB USA, Mr. Wynn served as Financial Education Officer for the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, where he created pioneering initiatives including Wisconsin's statewide Money Conferences, Millionaires Clubs, the Finance and Investment Challenge Bowl, and the Governor's Summit on Venture Capital. Earlier, as Director of Minority Business Development for the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, he helped establish innovative capital programs that generated more than $80 million in financing for minority-owned businesses.

A Morehead Scholar, Mr. Wynn earned his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina and his law degree from the University of Michigan. He has served on the boards of BetterInvesting, the University of North Carolina General Alumni Association, and American Players Theatre, and is the recipient of numerous honors, including BetterInvesting's George Nicholson Lifetime Achievement Award, Wisconsin's Financial Literacy Legacy Award, and the 2026 Wealth Liberator Award.

Mr. Wynn and his wife have lived in Madison for forty of their 43 years of marriage.

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Director Dr. Rudy Johnson will give a high-level 5-10 minute overview of the WSLH and then Forensic Toxicology Director Kayla Neuman will give a 20 minute talk about the OWI testing for the state (responsible for 85% of all the OWI testing in WI), including some quick info on alcohol and drug trends in WI drivers

Rudy Johnson - Director, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene

Dr. Rudy Johnson is Director of the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene at UW-Madison, the state’s public, environmental and occupational health laboratory. Dr. Johnson is a toxicologist with national leadership experience in emergency response and measuring human exposure to toxic substances. Prior to joining the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene in November 2025, he served as director of the military exposures research program at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and before that held progressive leadership roles at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including serving as chief of the Emergency Response Branch for eight years.  He holds a B.S in Chemistry from the Virginia Military Institute and a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Purdue University.

Kayla Neuman - Director of Forensic Toxicology, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene

Kayla Neuman is the Director of Forensic Toxicology at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene where she oversees a staff of 29. She holds a B.S. in Chemistry and Criminal Justice from Carroll University and a M.S. in Forensic Science from the University of Florida. Ms. Neuman is a member of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) and holds a position on the Drugs and Driving Committee. She is also certified as a Diplomate in Forensic Toxicology by the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT) and became a member of the National Safety Council-Alcohol Drugs and Impairment Division in 2024.

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MROHF’s mission is to create pathways to stability and self-sufficiency by providing housing, supportive services, and community programs that help people overcome barriers such as housing instability, job loss, or family crises. 

Their vision is for communities where everyone facing life transitions or hardship has access to housing, resources, and opportunities to build a better future.  LaShonda Lewis will be joining us for the presentation. 

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Join us as Andrew Drake shares his experience as a contestant on Wheel of Fortune.

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Since 1948, the Arthritis Foundation has led the fight to conquer arthritis, which now affects nearly 60 million adults and 300,000 children in the United States as well as their families and loved ones. The Arthritis Foundation is boldly pursuing a cure for America's #1 cause of disability while championing the fight to conquer arthritis with life-changing science, resources, advocacy and community connections.  Sara Peterson will be joining us for this informative presentation. 

GUEST RSVP LINK:  https://portal.clubrunner.ca/7391/Stories/guest-registration-form

OccuPaws Guide Dog Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Madison, WI, is an International Guide Dog Federation-accredited school. Through an in-home training program, we provide fully trained guide dogs at no cost to visually impaired residents of Wisconsin.

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Join us at our upcoming Rotary meeting to hear from Andy and Jenny of Extended Hands Pantry about their work addressing hunger and supporting children and families in Dane County.

Founders of The River Food Pantry, Andy and Jenny have dedicated decades to improving access to nutritious food. Their work has grown to include meals for children when school is out, after-school snacks, and tutoring.

They’ll share the story behind Extended Hands Pantry, its approach to helping neighbors choose food with dignity, and the needs they’re seeing in our community.

GUEST RSVP LINK:  https://portal.clubrunner.ca/7391/Stories/guest-registration-form

GUEST RSVP LINK:  https://portal.clubrunner.ca/7391/Stories/guest-registration-form

Renee Moe will be speaking about the good work United Way of Dane County does for our community and region. 

For over 100 years, United Way has partnered with local nonprofits, businesses, community leaders, donors and volunteers to create solutions that address the most complex challenges that no single person or organization can solve alone.   

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The IceCube Neutrino Observatory is the first detector of its kind, designed to observe the cosmos from deep within the South Pole ice. An international group of scientists responsible for the scientific research makes up the IceCube Collaboration.

Encompassing a cubic kilometer of ice, IceCube searches for nearly massless subatomic particles called neutrinos. These high-energy astronomical messengers provide information to probe the most violent astrophysical sources: events like exploding stars, gamma-ray bursts, and cataclysmic phenomena involving black holes and neutron stars.

Francis Halzen, IceCube principal investigator and professor at UW- Madison, just recently won the 2026 Physics Nobel Prize for this important and groundbreaking work. 

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Brainbow STEAM Studio is an innovative, mobile learning provider based in Beloit, Wisconsin, dedicated to bringing hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) experiences directly to the community. Catering to curiosity-driven learners from ages 1 to 103, the studio specializes in interactive workshops, enrichment programs, and vibrant mobile birthday parties hosted at schools, camps, churches, and libraries. Each session combines scientific inquiry with artistic expression, empowering participants to create and take home functional projects like customized slime bars, kinetic art, and paint-pour ceramics. Through localized partnerships—including specialized homeschool programs and neighborhood green initiatives—Brainbow STEAM Studio fosters a collaborative, screen-free environment where creativity meets critical thinking.

GUEST RSVP LINK:  https://portal.clubrunner.ca/7391/Stories/guest-registration-form

Operation Not Alone is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit whose mission is to honor and support veterans and active-duty service members through personalized packages and community‑driven acts of gratitude, offering programs that connect people with those who serve.

GUEST RSVP LINK:  https://portal.clubrunner.ca/7391/Stories/guest-registration-form

WayForward Resources is a vital non-profit organization dedicated to creating food security and housing stability throughout Dane County, Wisconsin. Serving the community through free resources like a local food pantry and clothing center, as well as eviction prevention services, the organization acts as a critical safety net for thousands of families each year. Joining us today to share more about this impactful work is Jill Bradshaw, the Community Engagement Manager at WayForward Resources. Jill works directly with local organizations, volunteers, and special events to build community awareness and address the growing need for food and housing security across our neighborhoods.

GUEST RSVP LINK:  https://portal.clubrunner.ca/7391/Stories/guest-registration-form