What is it?
St. John's Northwestern welcomes industry leaders and relevant experts to help guide the current SJN students. We believe in the power of real-world and shared experiences from these speakers.
If you or someone you know would like to speak, please fill out the form below.
Ian Bennett - February 3
Ian Bennett is a Canadian soccer player who plays for the Milwaukee Wave in the Major Arena Soccer League. Bennett attended St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School and played college soccer at Marian College from 2003 to 2006.
Bennett turned professional in 2007 when he signed with the Charleston Battery in the USL First Division. In the fall of 2007, Bennett signed with the Chicago Storm of the Major Indoor Soccer League. In 2008, he moved to the Richmond Kickers of the USL Second Division. He returned to the Storm in the Xtreme Soccer League for the 2008–2009 season. After the Xtreme Soccer League folded, he joined the Milwaukee Wave in the MASL.
Bennett founded the ib26 Futbol Academy, which focuses on developing soccer techniques and tactics. He currently plays professionally for the Milwaukee Wave of the Major Arena Soccer League, where he has won two championships, earned two league MVP awards, and scored over 450 goals during his 14-year tenure with the Wave. He has also racked up 492 goals over 307 appearances for the club.
Blake Schimmel - February 3
Command Master Chief Blake G. Schimmel, U.S. Navy, is a graduate of St. John’s Military Academy whose distinguished military career includes 14 global deployments and senior leadership roles with Naval Special Warfare, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, and Naval Sea Systems Command. Through real-world experience and personal insight, both speakers will share valuable lessons on leadership, discipline, and perseverance.
He enlisted in the Navy in 1990 and completed basic training at Recruit Training Command, Orlando, Florida. Over his career, he also completed Electronics Technician "A" and “C” schools, Naval Special Warfare Combat Crewman (SWCC) School, Special Operations Radio Operators Course and the U.S. Army Basic Airborne Course.
He completed sea duty assignments aboard USNS SPICA (T-AFS 9), Special Boat Unit Twelve, as a SWCC and USS JOHN L. HALL (FFG 32) with a total of 14 deployments in PACOM, CENTCOM and SOUTHCOM.
Past & Future Speakers
Blake Schimmel
Feb. 3, 2026
Ian Bennett
Feb. 3, 2026
David Potter
Oct. 21, 2025
Benjamin Duveneck
Oct. 21, 2025
Roger Bailey
April 10, 2025
Marella Big Mountain
Mar. 3, 2025
Jessalyn Teed
Mar. 3, 2025
Willie Eppes, Jr.
Feb. 25, 2025
George Koonce, Jr.
April 8, 2024
Eduardo Jany
March 5, 2024
Ross Brouse
Nov. 3, 2023
William Troy
Oct. 5, 2023
Nick Chaillan
Dec. 7, 2022
Where Are We?
All Speaker Series events are held on the campus of St. John's Northwestern.
1101 Genesee Street
Delafield, WI 53018
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