Listen to The New Normal Recordings
The Rotary Club of Springfield hosted “The New Normal” virtual program series as part of their weekly club meetings on Monday nights in June , July, and September 21. This series featured a stellar lineup of experts who discussed “The New Normal.” The series envisioned the post pandemic world from the perspectives of leaders representing various segments of our society including the economy, healthcare, agriculture, higher education, international government relations, technology, investment markets, and art. Click on "Read More" below to listen to recordings of the June and July programs for “The New Normal” series on the Illinois economy, health care delivery, agriculture, and higher education, and art. Please enjoy the recordings from the comfort of your own home and contemplate the future.
Recordings of June and July Programs for The New Normal Series
In case you missed our speakers, recordings for most presentations are included below.
Monday, June 1:
Kenneth A. Kriz, Ph.D., University Distinguished Professor of Public Administration, University of Illinois at Springfield: The Illinois Economy in 2020: Difficult Challenges, No Easy Answers
Dr. Kriz reviewed the difficult path that the economy has taken over the last 3 months. He traced the rapid economic decline caused by the coronavirus and described and assessed our current situation and proposed pathways forward. Finally, Dr. Kriz discussed some of the potential long-run impacts from the virus and a heightened awareness of risks to the economy and our livelihoods.
Dr. Kriz has consulted with several public and nonprofit organizations on financial and economic matters, including the cities of New York City, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Omaha, and Wichita and the states of Nebraska and Kansas. Dr. Kriz served as Vice-Chairperson of the City of Omaha, Nebraska Civilian Employees Retirement System from 2006 to 2011 and on the Board of Trustees of the Wichita, Kansas Police & Fire Retirement System and on the Joint Investment Committee for the city’s pension funds from 2014 to 2018.
To watch the recording of the presentation, click on the link below and paste in the password.
Rotary The New Normal Series-Kenneth Kriz Presentation Recording
Recording Password: uR4Cm2QJ
Monday, June 8:
Mary Starmann-Harrison, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hospital Sisters Health System, and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives: Post Pandemic Impacts on our Health Care Delivery System
In her role at HSHS, Starmann-Harrison leads a not-for-profit system with nine hospitals in Illinois — including HSHS St. John's in Springfield, HSHS St. Mary's in Decatur, HSHS St. Francis in Litchfield and HSHS Good Shepherd in Shelbyville — and six hospitals in Wisconsin. The system employs 14,344 people and posts total annual revenues of $2.4 billion. Her presentation covered the short and intermediate term impact of the crisis on hospitals and health care delivery.
Before joining Hospital Sisters Health System in 2011, Ms. Starmann-Harrison served as the regional president and CEO, SSM Health Care of Wisconsin, Madison, from 1998 to 2011, and as CEO, Western Region, Tenet Physician Services, Phoenix, from 1997 to 1998. She received a master’s degree in health service administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Arizona State University. Registration for this session closed at 10:00 a.m. on June 8.
To watch the recording of the presentation, click on the link below and paste in the password.
Rotary The New Normal Series-Mary Starmann-Harrison Presentation Recording
Recording Password: mKAXjJN2
Monday, June 15:
Karl Barnhart, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Brandt Co.: The New Normal of Agriculture
Covid-19 has disrupted our daily lives in ways unimaginable. But throughout and ongoing, people have to eat. Let’s explore what’s already changed about production agriculture and how it is sure to evolve in the future. None of us has a crystal ball, but we already see an industry in transformation.
As EVP and CMO, Mr. Barnhart leads the company’s corporate marketing efforts across the organization’s three global operating divisions. Prior to joining Brandt, he held leadership positions in a number of strategic branding agencies, serving as partner and president of CoreBrand for the last several years. At CoreBrand, Karl was responsible for the company’s direction, client relationships and marketing while managing clients such as Cisco Systems, AT&T, Delphi Automotive, Ranger Boats, NASCAR, Ciba Specialty Chemicals, and MasterCard. Registration for this session closes at 10:00 a.m. on June 15.
To watch the recording of the presentation, click on the link below and paste in the password.
Rotary The New Normal Series-Karl Barnhart Presentation Recording | ||
Topic | Link | Password |
| Rotary The New Normal Series-20200615 2235-1 | View | NbMU4yrE |
Monday, June 22:
Susan Koch, Chancellor of the Springfield campus of the University of Illinois: Higher Education in a Post Pandemic World
Susan J. Koch is Chancellor of the Springfield campus of the University of Illinois, one of three campuses that collectively constitute Illinois’s leading and most comprehensive university system. Chancellor Koch will discuss the potential impact of the Covid 19 crisis upon admissions, curriculum, student life and other aspects of higher education.
As UIS Chancellor, Dr. Koch is the chief executive officer of the Springfield campus, one of the top-ranked regional public campuses in the Midwest. Koch also serves as a Vice President of the University of Illinois and is a member of the UI President’s Cabinet – assisting the President and Board of Trustees in guiding the overall operations of the University of Illinois system whose academic community includes more than 80,000 students and almost 25,000 employees. Registration for this session closes at 10:00 a.m. on June 22.
To watch the recording of the presentation, click on the link below and paste in the password.
Rotary The New Normal Series-Susan Koch Presentation Recording | ||
Topic | Link | Password |
| Rotary The New Normal Series-20200622 2243-1 | View | SfWdbXY7 |
Monday, July 13:
Kathy A. Johnson, Senior Foreign Service (ret.): What Will be the New Normal for The United States and the International Community?
In the best of times international relations are dynamic and evolving. How will the U.S. and other countries react to the challenges they will face as we enter a period of adjustment in the post Covid-19 months and years? Ms. Johnson used the broad experience she gained as a long-time U.S. diplomat to provide us with insights as to how our country and others might see the future of international relations.
Kathy A. Johnson is a 31-year career member of the Senior Foreign Service (ret.). She was the Director of the United States Diplomacy Center (2014-2017), the first museum and education center in the United States dedicated to telling the story of American diplomacy. She led the Center team from ground-breaking to opening of this award-winning new museum, including the design and launch of an innovative nation-wide education program on diplomacy.
As Management Counselor, Ms. Johnson managed operations for U.S. Mission Australia (2011-2014), which includes the U.S. Embassy and three Consulates General. She served as Diplomat in Residence in Chicago (2010-2011) and as Foreign Policy Advisor to the Commanding General of USTRANSCOM (2007-2010). In the latter role, she advised the Commander and worked with U.S. embassies in Europe and Central Asia to successfully negotiate air, land, and sea transit agreements. This work enabled the U.S. Department of Defense to bring supplies to our troops in Afghanistan via intermodal routes saving U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars in transportation fees.
Ms. Johnson was selected for a prestigious corporate fellowship to serve as the Foreign Policy Advisor to the Exxon Chad Pipeline Project in Houston, Texas. She led team-building and organizational development for team members from seven multinational corporations and advised on interactions with host governments, tribes, and villagers. Her other overseas assignments with the Department of State included Syria, Mexico, Austria, and Poland, as well as assignments in Washington, D.C.
Ms. Johnson is currently working as an independent consultant and the CEO of the Veterans Memorial Foundation. Ms. Johnson is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Aurora College, with a B.A. degree in History, a M.A. degree in National Security Strategy from the Air War College, and an M.B.A. from Texas A&M University.
To watch the recording, click on the link below and paste in the password.
Rotary New Normal Series--Kathy A. Johnson Presentation
Monday, July 20:
Bruce Sommer, UIS Director of Economic Development and Innovation: The Role of Technology in the New Normal
Bruce Sommer joined the UIS Department of Management in the College of Business and Management as an executive-in-residence in Spring 2012. In 2018, he was appointed as the Director of Economic Development and Innovation. He is currently working to expand the economic impact of UIS and drive business and social incubation in Springfield and in the greater state of Illinois.
Bruce teaches graduate courses in Entrepreneurship and Family Business Management. He has been teaching a variety of graduate courses in Entrepreneurship, Private Equity/Venture Capital and Quantitative Methods over the past 10 years at the University of New Hampshire’s Whittemore School of Business and Economics. His research, published in academic journals and popular press, primarily focuses on emerging business start-ups and early-stage venture investing. He began his research career in 2001 at the Center for Venture Research, the nation’s leader in business angel research, and he continues to advise various state and local economic development organizations.
Bruce has founded three of his own businesses and has been a founding advisor to a multitude of others. He sits on boards of both mature and early-stage companies. He is co-founder and managing director of NextGen Ventures, an investment firm focused on IT, green-tech, energy, and agriculture and leads business angel groups in the Midwest and East Coast. Bruce is also founder of the Kindle Fund, a socially responsible investment fund that promotes social community development through investments in dynamic social entrepreneurs.
This session was not recorded. We hope you didn't miss it.
Monday, July 27:
Joe Cella, Regional Vice President for American Funds: Investing in a Post-Pandemic Environment
The onset of the Covid-19 virus has had many economic impacts. The investment markets have reacted with volatility in almost all sectors. Mr. Cella spoke about how the market reacted in recent weeks. He discussed the market in terms of sectors, which may experience continuing discord and difficulty and those that may present opportunities. He also touched on several factors, which could have outcomes that are difficult to predict and which could influence the markets to react in different ways.
Joe Cella is a Regional Vice President at American Funds, part of Capital Group, covering Illinois, Missouri and Iowa. He has eight years of industry experience and has been with Capital Group for four years. Prior to joining Capital, Joe worked as a wholesaler at ALPS Portfolio Solutions. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Colorado. He also holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® certification. Joe is based in St Louis, Mo.
This session was not recorded.
Monday, September 21
Preston Jackson, Illinois Sculptor and Painter: The New Normal for Art
Famed Illinois sculptor, painter, and lecturer Preston Jackson made the final presentation for our Club's “The New Normal” program series at our Monday, September 21 club meeting. Preston envisioned the post pandemic world from the perspective of impacts on art. Members participated in person at Maldaners Upstairs or online via Webex. Because of Covid-19 restrictions, members of the public were invited to view this presentation virtually. A link for viewing the recorded program virtually is provided below. Please join us from the comfort of your own home to contemplate the future of art.
The Covid 19 pandemic has dramatically impacted presentations of art of all types in all types of venues from live performances in theaters and clubs to presentations of figurative art in galleries, studios, and outdoor parks. Preston discussed how the pandemic has affected the arts and what the future for art presentations will be.
Rotary New Normal Series--Preston Jackson Presentation