Speakers set for Lakelandās 163rd commencement
51ĀŅĀ× has named the speakers for its 163rd commencement ceremonies, set for Saturday, May 10.
All three speakers will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Lakeland.
Johnson has more than 40 years of experience in human and social services, including leadership roles with Milwaukee public and nonprofit organizations. WCS is a nonprofit that focuses on individuals in underserved southeast Wisconsin communities who have behavioral health needs and/or involvement in the criminal justice system.
Since becoming president and CEO in 2017, Johnson has expanded the organization significantly. Under his leadership, annual revenue at WCS grew from $24 million to $50 million, staff increased from 275 to 570 and services were enhanced for more than 17,000 people annually.
He believes the key ingredients to effective leadership include holding yourself accountable to the highest standards of performance and empowering and supporting others to reach their highest level of effectiveness.
Johnson was recently named president of the board for the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southeast Wisconsin. He was recognized with the 2024 Wisconsin Council on Community Corrections Community Service Award.
Savides is the pastor of First Congregational United Church of Christ of New London, Wis. Previously he served as senior pastor of First Congregational UCC of Appleton, and as pastor of UCC congregations in Watertown and Williams Bay.
He received his bachelorās degree in theatre arts from the University of Minnesota, twice winning the Best Actor Award. After performing professionally for 10 years with SAK Theatre, K.I.D.S. Childrenās Theatre of Wisconsin and the Minnesota Centennial Showboat, he attended United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, receiving the Best Preacher Award upon graduating with a Masters of Divinity degree.
Savides is a fourth-generation preacher, following his father, James, his grandfather, Yuvon, and his great-grandfather, Sava, into the ministry. With composers Rick Yramategui and David Stoddard, Savides joined his theatrical skills with his love of the church, writing 15 separate musicals based on Biblical stories and themes.
He received his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Chicago Theological Seminary with his thesis, āPreaching on the Plain: The Congregation as Company.ā
He served on the 51ĀŅĀ× Board of Trustees as the representative of the Wisconsin Conference UCC. With his wife Dee Keller Savides, he remains active as a performer and playwright and serves on the board of Attic Theatre.
Thomas joined the American Red Cross of Wisconsin in December 2018 as both regional CEO and Southeast Chapter executive cirector. Thomas leads with a philosophy that people come first, starting with the dedicated Red Cross staff and more than 2,500 volunteers across Wisconsin and the U.P. of Michigan.
He was recognized as one of The Milwaukee Business Journalās 100 āPower Brokersā in 2024.
High points for the Wisconsin Region during Thomasās tenure so far include:
Thomas has deep nonprofit and for-profit executive experience, with strengths in sales and operations management, and strategic leadership skills. Most recently, he served as vice president and COO for the Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee. His professional background also includes leadership roles at The Milwaukee Business Journal, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Thomas has and currently serves on numerous nonprofit boards and has been recognized on numerous occasions for his contributions to the community.
