The American Red Cross of Southeast Wisconsin is proud to announce the 2024 Brave Hearts fundraising gala. Let’s celebrate as a community by honoring this year’s exemplary heroes from southeast Wisconsin and supporting the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross.
At the annual Brave Hearts Gala, we honor honored individuals and groups for acts of immense bravery, dedication and service to the community. Incredible heroes walk among us delivering kindness and making a difference every day.
Blood Services Hero | Community Impact Hero | Disaster Relief Hero
Emergency Response Hero | Military Hero | Red Cross Hero | Youth & Young Adult Hero
In addition to recognizing the exemplary 2024 Heroes, the American Red Cross of Southeast Wisconsin announces the prestigious William J. Murgas Hero Award, formerly the Hero of the Year Award, presented by Northwestern Mutual. This is the first year the award has been renamed in memory of William J. Murgas.
The William J. Murgas Hero Award recognizes the consummate spirit of heroism and humanitarianism at a distinguished level. It acknowledges the demonstration of long-term commitment to improvement of the lives of others through actions, deeds, and philanthropic works in the corporate and civic communities.
William “Bill” Murgas was a lifetime board member at the Southeast Wisconsin Chapter who dedicated 67 years of his life to service as a volunteer for the American Red Cross. Bill began his Red Cross journey in 1956 as a member and Explorers unit advisor after returning home from military service in Europe. Over the years he became a champion of the Red Cross’ mission and his involvement grew to include CPR and First Aid training in the 1970s, and disaster volunteerism into the 1990s. Murgas continued his legacy of generosity with a match for our holiday campaign and this spring is scheduled to be inducted into the American National Red Cross Chairman’s Council.
Murgas was a devoted humanitarian and a philanthropist who lived by the adage “service is the price you pay for the space you occupy.” This quote is splashed across the walls of the Red Cross office in Milwaukee, where one wing carries his name, and this principle guides volunteers and employees across all lines of service – in blood donations, disaster relief, life-saving training, military service and volunteering.
Over the years Murgas’ impact on the American Red Cross of Wisconsin has been immeasurable. More information can be found here.
Tami Garrison is a corporate affairs leader with over 15 years of experience developing, executing and evaluating strategic corporate social responsibility programs that align with community needs and business objectives. She is a collaborative leader with a reputation for designing strategic programs that effect positive change and engage stakeholders. In her current role as the Senior Director of Social Responsibility at Generac, she has oversight for the company’s community programs as well as Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives. Tami is a highly engaged non-profit board director with expertise in board governance, strategic planning and non-profit leadership. She has an extensive history of serving the Milwaukee community and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Milwaukee Parks Foundation, VISIT Milwaukee and the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. She has also previously served as the board chair for TEMPO Milwaukee as well as The American Red Cross of Southeast Wisconsin. Tami is originally from Southern California. After traveling the country extensively during her 12-year career with Hyatt Hotels, Tami has settled into Milwaukee and is proud to call this area home. She is married and is the proud mother of two boys.
Mark Kass is editor-in-chief of the Milwaukee Business Journal, an award-winning southeastern Wisconsin business newspaper and web site. He has been editor since 2003 and has led the paper to win dozens of awards, including from the Milwaukee Press Club and the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. Under his leadership, the paper is the leading source of business news in southeastern Wisconsin. He has written for the New York Times, Chicago Sun Times, Crain’s Chicago and Milwaukee Magazine. He lives in downtown Milwaukee with his wife Kaye. He also has daughter Abby. Mark and Kaye are very active in the community, previously co-chairing fundraising events for the Wisconsin Humane Society, Harry & Rose Samson Jewish Community Center, the American Red Cross of Southeast Wisconsin and the Sojourner Family Peace Center.
Bart Lundy currently holds the head coach position for the Milwaukee Panthers men’s basketball team. He was head coach at Queens University of Charlotte from 2013–2022, and previously an assistant coach at the University of North Texas from 2012–2013. Before going to North Texas, Lundy was the Director of Basketball Operations at Marquette University from 2009–2012. He is a native of Galax, Virgina. During his college years he played at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke before transferring to Lenoir-Rhyne University. Before moving to Marquette, he was the head coach of the men's basketball team at High Point University from 2003–2009. Lundy's first head coaching job was at Queens University of Charlotte from 1998–2003 and his teams went to the NCAA Div. II Tournament three times in six seasons. He was named the Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year in 2000–01. Lundy is married to wife Suzanne, and has five children: Grace, Ian, Kellen, Alec, and Liam
