2021 Past Speaker Series

Join us for the Psi Upsilon Virtual Speaker Series, live online Thursday Sept 23th 6:30pm EDT

A Fireside Chat with Mark Hedstrom, Omega ’95 (Chicago), Country Director for the US at Movember

Our speaker will be Mark Hedstrom, Omega ’95 (Chicago)

Mark Hedstrom is the Country Director for the US at Movember and a senior executive with extensive experience in both entrepreneurial environments and global organizations. As a special part of the discussion, Kian Heiat, Community Development Coordinator, will discuss undergraduate philanthropy opportunities associated with the Big Mo On Campus initiative. Undergraduates are encouraged to attend and consider Movember as a potential vehicle for philanthropic hours this year. Sept 23th at 6:30 EST

Movember is the leading charity changing the face of men’s health. We know what works for men – and what doesn’t. Mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer – we’re taking them all on.

Since 2003, Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world, challenging the status quo, shaking up men’s health research and transforming the way health services reach and support men.

BY 2030, WE AIM TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF MEN DYING PREMATURELY BY 25%.

1. MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION Learn more
2. PROSTATE CANCER Learn more
3. TESTICULAR CANCER Learn more

About Movember and Biggest Mo On Campus


Details on the virtual series here:
To suggest a speaker or topic contact jonathan@psiu.org

Join us for the Psi Upsilon Virtual Speaker Series, live online Thursday October 7th 6:30pm EDT

A Fireside Chat with Todd D. Simon, Tau ’86 (University of Pennsylvania)Philanthropist and Chairman & CEO of Omaha Steaks

Our speaker will be Todd D. Simon, Tau ’86 (University of Pennsylvania)

Todd Simon is a 5th Generation owner of the Omaha Steaks^® group of companies, serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Simon joined Omaha Steaks more than 35 years ago after graduating from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Omaha Steaks and the Simon family have a strong commitment to community leadership and philanthropy, and Todd has been extremely involved in shaping his family’s leadership in supporting the arts.

Mr. Simon is a past Chairman and Vice-President of the Omaha Community Foundation where he is also a member of their Strategic Planning and Impact Investing committees.  He is Vice-President of the Board of Directors of the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts where he chairs the Development Committee.  Mr. Simon is a founding board member of United States Artists – a national arts organization that raises private money to award significant fellowships each year to America’s finest living artists in all disciplines.  He is also on the Board of Directors of the Mid-America Arts Alliance and is a member of the American’s for the Arts Business Committee for the Arts.

In 2017, Todd was the recipient of the Humanities Nebraska Sower Award which is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to public understanding of the arts and humanities in Nebraska.  He has also been named Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year by the Nebraska Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and along with his wife, Betiana, was named a 2013 Humanitarian of the Year by Inclusive Communities.

About Omaha Steaks


Details on the virtual series here:
To suggest a speaker or topic contact jonathan@psiu.org

Join us for the Psi Upsilon Virtual Speaker Series, live online Wednesday June 10th 6:00-7:30pm EST

Psi U Experience: Virtual Wine Tasting: Donelan Family Wines

Cushing Donelan, Gamma ’05 (Amherst College) was a very popular part of our Speaker Series last year, and Donelan Family Wines are highly regarded boutique vintners.

The Psi Upsilon Foundation is excited to offer brothers an exclusive Psi U Experience.

Brothers (and guests they wish to invite) will have the ability to engage with Cushing during an exclusive virtual tasting on June 10th, at 6:00 EDT.

Cushing has curated THREE exclusive packages for our brotherhood, delivered to your door in time to participate in the tasting.

After you register to attend the free seminar you will be directed to a page on Donelan Family Wine to view the special wine offerings.

Learn about Donelan Wines

Details on the virtual series here:
To suggest a speaker or topic contact jonathan@psiu.org

Donelan Wines is a boutique winery located conveniently in the middle of Santa Rosa, CA. The winery features Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rhone Blends from the Sonoma County.

Cushing brings his diverse experience in brand development and entertainment production to Donelan Family Wines. Never one to sit on the sidelines, Cushing saw the opportunity to enhance the brand’s evolution and create new partnerships, and was eager to dig his hands into the family business.

Truly a man of many interests, Cushing studied art history and studio art in college, served as Executive Assistant to actor Matthew McConaughey and his company (j.k. livin productions), and continues to be an Executive Producer with oneinarow productions. Read Cushing’s full bio.

Join us for the Psi Upsilon Virtual Speaker Series, live online Thursday May 6th 5:30pm PDT

A Fireside Chat with Sam Schmidt,Lambda Sigma ‘86(Pepperdine University)

Our speaker will be Sam Schmidt,Lambda Sigma ‘86(Pepperdine)

Sam Schmidt is paralyzed. Now an Indy Racing League owner, he was a driver when he sustained a C-3/4/5 spinal cord injury while practicing for the 2000 season opener at Walt Disney World Speedway.

He created the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (SSPF) that year to raise funds for medical research, innovative equipment used for rehabilitation, and quality-of-life issues, and is now Chairman of the Board of Conquer Paralysis Now.

Absolutely no funds raised for SSPF have ever supported his racing team, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.

“We’ve been spreading the message that you need to stay in shape and keep working hard because some type of treatment is going to come,” Sam says. “Frankly, I’ve come to the realization that I’m helping a lot more people since I’ve been injured than I ever could as a driver.”

CPN started in 2000 as the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation. Sam’s original intent was to fund research and provide advocacy and programming for SCI patients and their families. Though SSPF achieved many successes over the next decade, the ultimate goal remained elusive: a cure.

Achieving functional recovery from chronic SCI will be a historic milestone in the advancement of human knowledge and empowerment. The dramatic moment when an individual previously diagnosed with irreversible paralysis takes his or her first steps will be celebrated around the world. It will be a testament to humanity’s progress in the mastery of science and nature.

We want to find a cure. We believe a cure is possible.

Live via ZOOM webinar: Register Here


About Conquer Paralysis Now

Details on the virtual series here:
To suggest a speaker or topic contact jonathan@psiu.org

Join us for the Psi Upsilon Virtual Speaker Series, live online Thursday April 24th 6:00-7:00pm EDT

Change Management in “Interesting Times”; a discussion with Dr. Elise Walton, PhD.

Our speaker will be Dr. Elise Walton, PhD, Kappa ’80, (Bowdoin)

Elise Walton is a principle at Board Compass | Organization and Governance Consulting LLC specializing in Governance Assessment, Governance and Organization Design, Strategic Change Management, Leadership Development and Coaching. Brother Walton has a BA in Economics and Psychology, MA in organizational psychology, and a PHD in organizational behavior from Harvard Business. She has consulted with a laundry list of the world’s must successful companies including AT&T, Xerox, Ford Motor Company, Hewlett-Packard and many more before progressing to various board and executive leadership fellowships and leadership positions.  

Live via ZOOM webinar: Register Here


Elise’s LinkedIN

Details on the virtual series here:
To suggest a speaker or topic contact jonathan@psiu.org

Join us for the Psi Upsilon Virtual Speaker Series, live online Thursday June 17th 5:00pm PDT

Public Speaking, Leadership, and Teambuilding with Lance Miller, Epsilon Nu ‘80

Our speaker will be Lance Miller, Epsilon Nu ‘80(Michigan State)

An award-winning speaker and leadership and communication coach, Lance has spoken as a guest on over 150 television and talk radio shows and delivered over 5,000 presentations in more than 55 countries.

Live via ZOOM webinar: Register Here


Lance Miller Speaks

Details on the virtual series here:
To suggest a speaker or topic contact jonathan@psiu.org

Join us for the Psi Upsilon Virtual Speaker Series, live online Wednesday February 10th 5:30-6:45pm EST

Psi U Experience: Virtual Wine Tasting: Donelan Family Wines

Cushing Donelan, Gamma ’05 (Amherst College) was a very popular part of our Speaker Series last year, and Donelan Family Wines are highly regarded boutique vintners.

The Psi Upsilon Foundation is excited to offer brothers an exclusive Psi U Experience.

Brothers (and guests they wish to invite) will have the ability to engage with Cushing during an exclusive virtual tasting on February 10th, at 5:30 EST.

Cushing has curated two exclusive packages for our brotherhood, delivered to your door in time to participate in the tasting.

After you register to attend the free seminar you will be directed to a page on Donelan Family Wine to view the special wine offerings.

Learn about Donelan Wines

Details on the virtual series here:
To suggest a speaker or topic contact jonathan@psiu.org

Donelan Wines is a boutique winery located conveniently in the middle of Santa Rosa, CA. The winery features Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rhone Blends from the Sonoma County.

Cushing brings his diverse experience in brand development and entertainment production to Donelan Family Wines. Never one to sit on the sidelines, Cushing saw the opportunity to enhance the brand’s evolution and create new partnerships, and was eager to dig his hands into the family business.

Truly a man of many interests, Cushing studied art history and studio art in college, served as Executive Assistant to actor Matthew McConaughey and his company (j.k. livin productions), and continues to be an Executive Producer with oneinarow productions. Read Cushing’s full bio.

Join us for the Psi Upsilon Virtual Speaker Series, live online Thursday February 18th 5:00-6:pm PST

Psi U Speaker Series Registration: Grad & Professional Schools – Applying & Thriving

Our panelists will be:

Panelist: Christina A. Del Carpio, Chi Delta ’11 (Duke University)
Biology PhD Candidate at UCLA 
Tina’s LinkedIN

Panelist: Matt N. Hamati, Eta ‘20 (Lehigh University)
Business Analytics Graduate Student at Columbia University
Matt’s LinkedIN

Panelist: Lawrence Evalyn, Chi Delta ‘12 (Duke University)
Ph.D. Candidate in English at the University of Toronto.
Matt’s LinkedIN

Live via ZOOM webinar: Register Here

Details on the virtual series here:
To suggest a speaker or topic contact jonathan@psiu.org