HPGM Announces Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Actress and Author Sonia Manzano as Guest Speaker for 2017 Gala

For media inquiries, please contact:

Olivia Grych, Mueller Communications

(414) 390-5500

ogrych@muellercommunications.com

Kim Schultz, HPGM

(414) 223-4614

kim.schultz@hpgm.org

HPGM Announces Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Actress and Author Sonia Manzano as Guest Speaker for 2017 Gala

Five-Star event sponsor Johnson Controls and speaker sponsor BMO Harris Bank to host celebrated Sesame Street Icon “Maria”

MILWAUKEE – (January 12, 2017) –The Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee (HPGM), presenting sponsor Johnson Controls, and speaker sponsor BMO Harris Bank, announced today, Sonia Manzano as the guest speaker for the 2017 Five Star Gala, to be held on Saturday, May 13, at the Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.

Manzano will attend the fourth annual HPGM Five Star Gala, to celebrate and recognize HPGM’s 16 years of strong leadership, as well as raise awareness and funds for HPGM’s scholarship programs that have awarded over $350,000 in graduate-level scholarships since 2004, and began awarding undergraduate scholarships in 2016.

“We are beyond thrilled to host the talented and accomplished Sonia Manzano to help celebrate HPGM’s mission of dedicated and unwavering support of encouraging Milwaukee-area Hispanic professionals and students to reach and exceed their goals,” said Grady Crosby, HPGM gala co-chair and vice president public affairs & chief diversity officer of Johnson Controls. “She embodies what a love of education, a nurturing of talent, and an encouraged spirit can do to help make society a better place.”

For over 30 years, Manzano inspired, educated and delighted children and families as “Maria” on Sesame Street. She was one of the first Hispanic characters on national television and was recently named as one of the “25 Greatest Latino Role Models Ever,” by Latina Magazine.

Growing up in the South Bronx, Manzano’s love of the arts and acting was encouraged by teachers. Through hard work and determination she was accepted into the High School of Performing Arts where she was awarded a scholarship to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. In her junior year, she came to New York to star in the original production of the off-Broadway show Godspell, and within a year, Manzano joined the production of Sesame Street, where she eventually began writing scripts. Since then, Manazano has earned 13 Emmys for her writing contributions on Sesame Street and was nominated twice for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series.

“Sonia is a perfect example of how encouragement to let your talent shine can propel not only you, but everyone around you to do great things,” said Raquel Filmanowicz, director U.S. community affairs for BMO Harris Bank. “We thank her for generously sharing her time, talent and story of perseverance, dedication and achievement with us.”

HPGM’s mission paves the way for Milwaukee-area Hispanic professionals to thrive by creatively fostering leadership, mentoring, education, and networking. Part of the night’s events will include highlighting new initiatives, including the launch of HPGM’s tenth Wisconsin student chapter at UW-Madison in 2017.

“So many of us grew up with, and were inspired by, “Maria” from Sesame Street,” said HPGM President & CEO Griselda Aldrete, “Sonia’s talent and contributions have inspired generations to be their best through continued education, shared kindness, and support of one another. We welcome the opportunity to hear her story and offer HPGM members, from students to long-standing professionals, the chance to hear, firsthand, how her talent, hard work, and faith in herself propelled her success.”

Individual tickets and tables of 10 to the 2017 HPGM Gala are available for purchase by visiting www.hpgm.org, clicking here to register, or contacting Kim Schultz at HPGM at either 414-223-4614 or kim.schultz@hpgm.org.

About HPGM

In 2001, HPGM was formed with the vision of showcasing Hispanic talent in the Milwaukee area and providing professionals with the support they need to reach increasing levels of success in their careers. HPGM works to create a dynamic environment for Hispanic professionals to thrive by fostering leadership, mentoring, education, networking, and new initiatives that support Hispanics and Hispanic businesses.

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and multi industrial leader serving a wide range of customers in more than 150 countries. Our 130,000 employees create intelligent buildings, efficient energy solutions, integrated infrastructure and next generation transportation systems that work seamlessly together to deliver on the promise of smart cities and communities. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. We are committed to helping our customers win and creating greater value for all of our stakeholders through strategic focus on our buildings and energy growth platforms. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com or follow us @johnsoncontrols on Twitter.

About BMO Harris Bank

BMO Harris Bank provides a broad range of personal banking products and solutions through nearly 600 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Arizona and Florida. BMO Harris Bank’s commercial banking team provides a combination of sector expertise, local knowledge and mid-market focus throughout the U.S. For more information about BMO Harris Bank, go to the company fact sheet. Banking products and services are provided by BMO Harris Bank N.A. and are subject to bank and credit approval. BMO Harris Bank® is a trade name used by BMO Harris Bank N.A. Member FDIC. BMO Harris Bank is part of BMO Financial Group, a North American financial organization with approximately 1,500 branches, and CDN $688 billion in assets (as of October 31, 2016).