Questions?

Featured Speakers

Featured Speakers

Meet Our Keynote Speaker
John McGivern

Keynote Speaker - 9:00am – 10:00am, Connect Ballroom

Sponsored by Ascension Wisconsin Hospital

John McGivern is best known for his Emmy-award winning work on PBS, Around the Corner with John McGivern and now John McGivern’s Main Streets. He shares personal stories in only the way he can — with humor and insight that reminds all of us to enjoy life to its fullest.

Breakout Speakers

We will have three breakout speaker sessions throughout the day. In addition to our wonderful exhibitors, attendees can choose to enjoy any of the featured speakers that are highlighted below.

Breakout Session #1 Options - 10:30am - 11:15am

Transformative Adventures on the Ice Age Trail

Presented by Ice Age Trail Alliance

How to Thrive in Life as a Solo Ager

Presented by Sara Zeff Geber, PhD

Sponsored by Brown & Brown Insurance

Mad Money! What’s Going on in Today’s Financial World

Presented by James Ragan, CFA, Director of Wealth Management D.A. Davidson

Sponsored by D.A. Davidson

Breakout Session #2 - 11:30am - 12:15pm

Still Doing It! Sex and Intimacy After 60

Presented by Dr. Kathy Hartke

The Joy of Pickleball!

Presented by Mike McGuire, Certified ITPTA Instructor

Sponsored by Starion Bank

Breakout Session #3 Options - 12:30pm - 1:15pm

Healthspan – Avoiding the “Decade of Deterioration"

Presented by Scott and Katie Michel, Orange Shoe Personal Fitness

Sensational Container Gardening

Presented by Melinda Myers

Sponsored by Johnson Financial Group

Hitting the Road – Senior Travel Adventures

Presented by Elm Grove Travel

Transformative Adventures on the Ice Age Trail

One of only 11 National Scenic Trails in the country, the Ice Age Trail is a 1,200-mile footpath contained entirely within the state of Wisconsin. More than 2.3 million people use the Ice Age Trail each year. Ancient glaciers carved the path through rocky terrain, open prairies, and peaceful forests. Now day hikers, backpackers, and outdoor lovers of all ages rely on the Ice Age Trail for a place to unplug, relax and enjoy nature. Hear from an Ice Age Trail “Thousand Miler” who has completed the entire trail in short segment hikes as well as an Ice Age Trail volunteer who is spending his time in retirement working to create and maintain the trail while leaving a legacy for future generations. Learn how to get involved with this passionate and caring community that is the Ice Age Trail Alliance.

About Amy Lord

Amy Lord will host a panel of Ice Age Trail experts who will share personal stories about time spent on the trail and how getting involved can change your life for the better!

How to Thrive in Life as a Solo Ager

Are you single? Married without children? Do you have adult children who live far away? Is extended family not a part of your daily life? If you answer yes to any of these questions, you are a Solo Ager. Solo Agers are older adults who are making decisions about their future independently. They are optimistic about quality of life despite facing potential challenges.

Dr. Sara Zeff Geber is the nation’s foremost authority on Solo Aging. In this session, she will encourage Solo Agers to plan today in order to thrive later in life. This interactive presentation will help Solo Agers weigh life options and make decisions about the future – including care plans and living arrangements. It will focus on navigating post-retirement life, including identifying what matters most as you age, resources to provide care in later life, and understanding housing options.

This interactive presentation and discussion will provide you with information on how to be your best advocate in the years ahead and understand the steps that you need to take to build a happy, safe, and secure life regardless of family support. Dr. Sara Geber’s style is light-hearted, conversational, and provocative. Her presentation is based on her new book, Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers which will also be available for purchase following the talk.

About Sara Zeff Geber, PhD

Author of Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers, Certified Retirement Coach and Nation’s Foremost Authority on Solo Aging.

Featured in Forbes.com, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Huffington Post, PBS Next Avenue amongst many others.

www.SaraZeffGeber.com

Mad Money! What's Going on in Today's Financial World

James will give a high level look at stocks and bonds, and how to focus on investment goals during periods of fear and uncertainty.

About James Ragan, CFA®

James Ragan, CFA® is Director of Wealth Management Research for D.A. Davidson. He and his team provide portfolio-based equity research and market commentary for the firm’s Financial Advisors and their clients. James is co-manager of the D.A. Davidson Dividend Achievers, Focus List, and ESG Achievers model portfolios. In addition, he publishes weekly market commentary discussing the U.S. financial markets as well as a quarterly market outlook. James is a member of the D.A. Davidson Managed Assets Investment Committee.

James has worked in the financial services industry since 1992 with D.A. Davidson, Crowell Weedon (acquired by D.A. Davidson in 2013), and UBS Paine Webber. James also worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. James is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles with both a BA degree in economics and management, and an MBA in finance. In addition, he is a holder of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation.

James lives in Seattle with his wife and has two adult daughters. He enjoys outdoor activities including hiking, volleyball, and skiing in addition to reading and volunteering in youth activities.

Dating and Intimacy after Sixty

All humans are sexual beings from the time they are born until they die. Many older adults enjoy sex well into their 70s, 80s and beyond. Aging may bring life transitions and create opportunities for individuals to expand what sexuality and intimacy mean to them.

We will discuss:

  • Sexuality and intimacy
  • Health benefits
  • Communicating your wants and needs
  • Common age-related physical changes
  • Loss of a partner and dating
  • Reducing risk of sexually transmitted infections
  • Talking to your physician about sexuality concerns
  • Exploring new options
Many mature couples have better love lives than they did in their more youthful days. Sex is healthy!

About Dr. Kathy Hartke

Dr. Kathy Hartke graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1983 and completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency in 1987 at Mount Sinai Medical Center in downtown Milwaukee. During her OBGYN career she delivered more than 6000 babies, counseled adolescents and women on preventive and sexual health, performed gynecologic surgery, infertility treatment for couples, and urogynecologic care. Many young patients matured with her into the golden years and she counseled them on menopause, safe dating, relationship struggles and sexual concerns.

She is the Past Chair of the WI Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. After retiring from clinical OBGYN practice in 2018, she served until 2023 as the Co-Chair of the Wisconsin Maternal Mortality Review Team at the Department of Health Services (DHS).

She is a long-time women’s health advocate and has testified in County and Federal Courts as well as in the Wisconsin State Legislature on behalf of patients and access to women’s health care. She currently serves on a United Methodist Church and Society Committee on Women’s Health and Reproductive Justice in Washington DC.
Dr. Hartke is a certified facilitator for the “Our Whole Lives” (OWL) Sexuality Education program including youth, adults and older adults.
She and her husband Paul met 23 years ago on Match.com and have a blended family of 7 children and 9 energetic grandchildren!

The Joy of Pickleball!

Come see what all the chatter is about around the fastest growing sport in the nation – PICKLEBALL! If you can play ping pong, tennis or any other racquet sport, you can PICKLE! This popular, active, fun game, is on a court half the size of a tennis court and twice the fun! Play is indoors or outdoors and can be enjoyed at many parks, rec centers and clubs throughout the greater Milwaukee area and surrounding suburbs! Learn the history, rules and strategy behind the game, and how you can get involved from Mike McGuire, ITPTA teaching pro.

About Mike McGuire

Mike McGuire is a Level II certified Pickleball instructor of the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association and has been since 2016. He regularly teaches private lessons and conducts clinics and corporate events for players of all levels. Mike also plays competitively with the top players in Southeast Wisconsin. We are excited to have a professional of Mike’s stature be part of the inaugural Enjoy Life Active Aging Symposium.

Healthspan – Avoiding the “Decade of Deterioration

The term “Healthspan” has been gaining more traction in the medical community but what exactly is healthspan?? A person’s healthspan can be defined as how many years a person lives without suffering from a deteriorating quality of life. New research has identified several simple strategies to not only pause the all-to-common side effects of aging, but actually reverse these side effects! Join Scott and Katie Michel from Orange Shoe Personal Fitness as they dive into this topic through an interactive and educational workshop. Attendees will leave with a short “cheat sheet” of daily action items they can use to increase and improve their healthspan today!

About Scott Michel

Scott started his career with Orange Shoe after graduating from UW – La Crosse with an Exercise Sport Science degree and a concentration in Strength and Conditioning and a degree in Education. Scott has been with the Orange Shoe family since 2004 and when he’s not helping clients as a personal trainer in the Pewaukee studio, he wears the hat of the franchisor and works with the other Orange Shoe owners and the 60+ personal trainers throughout the Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago and Florida markets.

About Katie Michel

Katie Michel is a personable and passionate Yoga and Pilates Teacher dedicated to sharing the benefits of yoga with eager clients. She conducts warm and inviting sessions that foster an invigorating, centering, and calming environment and has an amazing ability to empathize and develop relationships with people of different abilities and backgrounds. She prides herself on clear explanation of the benefits of poses with a focus on proper alignment and provides verbal and assisted adjustments to modify and enhance poses based on individual needs. Katie has taught over 10,000 hours of yoga. When Katie is not on the yoga mats, she is helping develop new Orange Shoe sites in the greater Milwaukee Area, Chicago, and Florida markets.

Sensational Container Gardening

Keep your containers looking their best all summer long. Melinda will provide tips on caring for your container gardens and ways to reduce maintenance without sacrificing beauty and productivity. Plus she’ll share ideas for creating new container gardens now. You’ll see plant combinations designed to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, pots of easy-care and favorite herbs and attractive vegetables to boost the flavor and nutritional value of your meals.

About Melinda Myers

Nationally known gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has over 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition, Minnesota and Wisconsin Month-by-Month Gardening, Minnesota and Wisconsin Getting Started Garden Guide and Small Space Gardening

She hosts the nationally-syndicated “Melinda’s Garden Moment” TV & radio program and The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series. Myers is a garden columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and writes a nationally syndicated newspaper column. Prior to her current media work, Melinda hosted “The Plant Doctor” radio show on WTMJ (620AM) in Milwaukee for over 20 years as well as seven seasons of “Great Lakes Gardener” on PBS. 

Myers has a master’s degree in horticulture and was a horticulture instructor with tenure. Myers was recently inducted into the national Association for Garden Communicators Hall of Fame. Melinda hosts many free webinars that can be found on her website at www.MelindaMyers.com where you can also find gardening videos, audio tips, monthly garden checklists, and more.

Hitting the Road – Senior Travel Adventures

You’re retired and find yourself with newfound time on your hands. How should you spend it? Do you enjoy adventure, exotic cultures, scenic sightseeing, learning the history of foreign lands or simply relaxing on a beach with crystal blue water? If so, this breakout session is for you. Jenny Cagle, owner and President of Elm Grove Travel, will discuss the hottest trends in senior travel. 

From budget travel to luxury trips, solo and small group travel to organized tour groups, river cruises to safaris – there is something to fit everyone’s specific needs and pocketbook. Getting older doesn’t mean that it’s time to slow down. Getting older means that it’s time to get out and complete your bucket list of travel dreams. Don’t let travel planning become overwhelming. Professional travel advisors like Elm Grove Travel can streamline the planning process and get you on your way so you can relax and enjoy creating priceless new memories. Now who is ready to hit the road?!

About Jenny Cagle, Elm Grove Travel

Jenny has over 25 years of experience planning amazing vacations for her clients and leading her team of ten travel advisors to help people realize their travel dreams. Personally, Jenny has visited over 30 countries. In addition, Jenny serves on the board of directors for the Elm Grove Business Association and is an active member of many local organizations. Jenny also serves as the Chairperson and CEO of MAST Vacation Partners, an organization of over 200 midwest travel agencies. Elm Grove Travel has been making vacation dreams come true since 1961. It remains a local family owned business. Jenny is the second generation owner, having worked with her Mother, Sue Hollenstein until her retirement in 2019.