Mary Ellen Stanek named board chairwoman of Milwaukee World Festival, the group that runs Summerfest

Mary Ellen Stanek was named Thursday as the new board chairwoman of Milwaukee World Festival Inc., the organization that oversees Summerfest.

Stanek is managing director of Robert W. Baird & Co. and co-chief investment officer of Baird Advisors and president of Baird Funds.

"In her personal life, Mary is an investment rock star," outgoing board chair Howard Sosoff said. "Within Milwaukee, Mary is a force for good."

Stanek serves on numerous boards, including Northwestern Mutual and WEC Energy Group, Boys & Girls Clubs, Children's Hospital Foundation and the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Stanek called it "an incredible honor" to accept the position.

"This is such a community asset," Stanek said, noting Summerfest is a place "where people gather across the entire community."

She'll preside over a key executive transition. Don Smiley has said that 2023 will mark his final year as CEO of Milwaukee World Festival Inc. Sarah Pancheri is the organization's president.

Stanek said in an interview that a "great foundation" has been built over 55 years at Summerfest and that the change in leadership is "well-planned and well-orchestrated."

She said her goal is to continue to invest and elevate in Summerfest and the grounds.

"I think that accessibility is so key," she said.

Smiley saluted Sosoff for helping shepherd Summerfest through the pandemic, as well as extensive renovation of the grounds at Maier Festival Park.

Also added to the board were Joan Prince, vice chancellor emerita at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, vice chair. Prince is Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson's appointee to the board.

Charles Harvey, a retired Johnson Controls executive, was appointed as an at-large member.

Summerfest will run June 22 to 24, June 29 to July 1 and July 6 to 8 at Maier Festival Park.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mary Ellen Stanek named board chairwoman of Milwaukee World Festival