PD Bootcamp #4 | Mentorship Morning (Virtual)

John Gurda
Milwaukee Historian & Writer

John Gurda is an undisputed voice of Milwaukee’s past, but this time he’s turning the lens on himself. For over four decades, he’s helped us understand how every brewery, neighborhood, and immigrant community shaped our city’s character. He’s authored twenty-three books—including the landmark The Making of Milwaukee, which inspired an Emmy Award–winning PBS documentary—yet his real legacy is bringing history to life in a way that connects our shared past to our future potential. From his vantage point as lecturer, tour guide, and newspaper columnist, John has shown countless residents why Milwaukee’s story matters.

Now, he’s ready to talk about his road to becoming a city’s historian, a path he calls “the road less taken.” Rather than a straightforward history lesson, this session will reveal how he found his calling in local history, built an unconventional career on curiosity and community engagement, and rose to be one of Milwaukee’s most recognizable voices. If you’ve ever wondered how passion and perseverance can turn into leadership—even when the path isn’t obvious—don’t miss this chance to hear John’s personal story of turning curiosity into influence.

More About the Speaker
Born and raised in Milwaukee, John Gurda started studying his hometown in 1972, blending thorough research with a gift for storytelling. His book The Making of Milwaukee became a definitive text on the city’s evolution—spanning early settlement, industrial booms, and the kaleidoscope of cultures that have shaped local life. It also sparked an Emmy Award–winning documentary series on Milwaukee Public Television. Alongside his writing, John has spent decades giving lectures, guiding tours, and penning a beloved history column for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He holds a B.A. in English from Boston College, an M.A. in Cultural Geography, and an honorary Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Throughout his work, John’s unwavering belief is that understanding our roots is key to forging our future—and that an “unconventional” path can lead to transformative leadership.

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