Wisconsin School of Business UPDATE Magazine Spring/Summer 2026

Letter From the Dean

The Wisconsin School of Business has always been defined by its reach, yet our impact is truly felt across the breadth of our global community. With an alumni network that spans more than 80 countries, I am often reminded how leadership knows no borders. Throughout my international travels and stops at recent school events, I’ve connected with WSB alums in places like Hong Kong and South Korea—and seen firsthand how our graduates are leading boldly across industries such as manufacturing, finance, and real estate.

As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, the importance of our international business community cannot be understated. To that end, we’re strengthening relationships with Business Badgers across the world and making valuable connections that ultimately lead to new strategic partnerships, experiential learning opportunities, and cultural exchange experiences that will prepare students to lead with a global mindset.

In this issue, you’ll meet alumni who are creating significant global impact through their unique roles, including Hershey CFO Steve Voskuil, whose company’s chocolate is sold in

more than 80 countries worldwide (p. 12). You’ll be introduced to Elle Mannion, who helps bring music to millions across the world through a one-of-a-kind concert series (p. 03). You’ll also read about this year’s 8 to Watch alumni, who are leading at internationally recognized companies like Microsoft, SoFi, and Barclays (p. 16). Throughout my ongoing travels across the U.S. and the world, one thing is abundantly clear: No matter how far one roams from Madison, that Badger spirit continues to shine as brightly as ever.

On, Wisconsin!

Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy Albert O. Nicholas Dean Wisconsin School of Business

A Spectacular Anniversary Year

Powered by Business Badgers

In 2025, the Wisconsin School of Business turned 125 years old, a proud milestone that inspired camaraderie, connection, and celebration among the Business Badger community. Across the globe, alumni and friends came together to recognize WSB’s enduring legacy of academic excellence, trusted leadership, and relentless innovation while embracing the school’s bold future.

During the fall semester, WSB created a wide range of activities to mark the school’s quasquicentennial, from digital coloring panels and interactive timelines to anniversary-themed events and special publications—and you showed up.

SPRING | SUMMER 2026

| EDITORIAL |

MANAGING EDITOR

Erin Canty Ryan (BA ’07, MS ’09)

ASSISTANT EDITOR AND WRITER

Chris Malina

WRITER

Haley Boyer (BA ’20)

| DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY |

ART DIRECTOR AND DESIGNER

Shaysa Sidebottom Cook

DESIGN INTERN

Cam Erhardt (BFA ’26)

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Eric Forberger

Kym Fortino

Amanda Nagy

Paul L. Newby II

Drew Anthony Smith

Lexi Webster Noah Willman

| ADVISORS |

DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

Kate Prehn (BS ’09)

EDITORIAL

Attendees participated in anniversary events, including WSB’s Legacy in Motion gala

1,000+ ~1M

Total user impressions recorded across all anniversary social media posts

42,720

Special issues printed of WSB’s anniversary edition of Update magazine

1,500 25 93%

Miles traveled by WSB staff to regional anniversary events in Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and New York City

Global Toast events hosted across 12 U.S. cities and 13 international cities

of alumni surveyed during the anniversary say they felt proud to have attended WSB

Thank you for being part of a celebration 125 years in the making— and for helping us shape what comes next.

Betsy Lundgren (BA ’03, MA ’05)

Sirinda Pairin (BA ’15)

BRAND

Katie Schauer

© 2026 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System

Update is published biannually. All rights reserved.

PUBLISHER

Wisconsin School of Business Grainger Hall 975 University Avenue Madison, WI 53706

business.wisc.edu/update

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Cover photo by Drew Anthony Smith

Elle Mannion (BBA ’18) PRODUCER AND TINY DESK CONTEST MANAGER NPR MUSIC WASHINGTON, D.C.

A PEEK AT WHAT MAKES BUSINESS BADGERS WHO THEY ARE GOT A MINUTE?

How did you get your start with NPR?

I started as an intern on the events team three days after graduating! The team focused on bringing NPR’s podcasts to life through live events. I quickly started working on our conference for entrepreneurs, which was based on Guy Raz’s podcast and explored how businesses are created and the stories of their founders.

What is the Tiny Desk Contest?

It’s our nationwide search for the next great undiscovered artist. I help sift through thousands of entries from independent artists across the country. The winner plays a Tiny Desk concert at NPR; then we take them on a national tour, playing nearly a dozen venues featuring local artists at each stop.

Oh, and a few more things:

What’s your favorite WSB memory?

One of the most fascinating classes I took was a brand strategy course. It got at the psychological aspects of marketing and opened my eyes to new career possibilities. It really made me look at what I was studying, and the ways that I interact with the world, through a different lens.

Mannion helped lead the Ethical Responsible Business Network student organization at UW–Madison | 17: Number of Tiny Desk concerts she’s produced | Mannion also produces the New Music Friday podcast, hosted by fellow Badger Stephen Thompson (BA ’94) | Recent favorite to drop by NPR: Faye Webster | Big win: Turning her parents into diehard Badger fans

New Rankings Highlight the Wisconsin Advantage

During the 2025–26 academic year, the Wisconsin School of Business and UW–Madison were recognized with top rankings among peer public institutions, underscoring a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, cutting- edge research, and trusted leadership:

#12

Best public executive MBA program and #29 overall, U.S. News & World Report

To read more, visit business.wisc.edu/news Donors Go Big for WSB on Day of the Badger 260+

#4 #7 #6

Best public undergraduate program in the U.S., Poets&Quants

Public university in the U.S. for institutions that drive academic excellence globally, Time

Public university in the U.S. for developing future leaders, Time

BOLD CIRCLES Celebrates Successful First

Year

In 2025, the Wisconsin School of Business launched BOLD (Badgers of the Last Decade) Circles, a brandnew initiative that keeps recent graduates plugged into the Business Badger community after they’ve received their diploma.

“We’ve heard from recent graduates that they want WSB’s help in enhancing their connection to this network, and BOLD Circles facilitates that in a way

that’s personal, genuine, and fun,” says Betsy Lundgren (BA ’03, MA ’05), chief advancement officer at WSB.

Each Circle consists of about 10–12 Business Badgers living in the same region and is led by a volunteer alum who organizes events and facilitates connections. With guidance from WSB, Circle members create their own experiences in their city, from

professional development opportunities and networking to social meetups and Badger game watch parties.

In its inaugural year, over 55 members joined BOLD Circles in Madison and Chicago during the program’s pilot phase. WSB plans to expand BOLD Circles to additional cities, including New York City in Fall 2026.

Interested in joining a BOLD Circle? Visit business.wisc.edu/alumni/bold-circles

On April 14–15, alumni, parents, and community members joined together to support the Wisconsin School of Business on Day of the Badger, UW–Madison’s annual giving tradition.

Number of donors who supported WSB during the giving event

$50,000

Total amount of the generous challenge and bonus gifts to WSB from anonymous donors

$116,000+

Total amount raised to support WSB

Photo by Paul L. Newby II

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Complete with red carpet photo shoots and festive balloons, the Wisconsin School of Business hosted its first-ever Career Signing Day in Grainger Hall. More than 90 Business Badgers attended the event, which celebrated students accepting offers for summer internships and full-time roles post-graduation.

Award-Winning Tech Journalist Shares AI Insights with Business Badgers

The Wisconsin School of Business welcomed Reuters tech reporter Deepa Seetharaman as the school’s most recent Business Journalist in Residence. Her reporting spans the rise of artificial intelligence, technology companies, and the societal impact of digital platforms.

During her weeklong visit, Seetharaman led a public panel discussion, “AI: Beyond the Headlines,” which featured a conversation with WSB faculty experts on the real-world implications of artificial intelligence and the questions that remain unanswered. She also

visited students in AI Hub @ WSB, a new student organization committed to making the school a leader in AI adoption by promoting its use, education, and integration across business.

Additionally, Seetharaman met with WSB faculty members belonging to the Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative. Recruited for their cuttingedge research and advanced expertise in AI, RISE-AI faculty collaborate across the UW–Madison campus to address the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence.

MBA Students Assess Market Feasibility for Student Tech Startups

Teams of MBA and tech students at UW–Madison transformed concepts into finished prototypes through their involvement with the UW Tech Exploration Lab, a collaborative effort that unites students, alumni, and industry to explore bold ideas through hands-on experimentation.

The MBA students participated through a product development class at WSB, in conjunction with Tech Exploration Lab Executive Director Sandra Bradley (MS ’90).

Tech students provided the foundational venture idea, while MBA students created the marketing strategy and value

proposition—effectively closing the gap between raw idea and market feasibility.

“When MBA students and technical builders collaborate, the conversation shifts from ‘Can we build this?’ to ‘Should we build this—and for whom?’ That dynamic dramatically increases the odds that strong technology becomes a fundable, scalable venture,” says Bradley.

Teams also benefited from the mentorship of the program’s alumni partners, who volunteered their time to provide students with expert guidance and insights. ◀

THE PERFECT STORM

WSB’s Benjamin Collier tackles questions of risk, insurance, and rising costs amid a changing climate

BY CHRIS MALINA | PHOTO BY PAUL L. NEWBY II

From hurricanes and hailstorms to wildfires and floods, natural disasters are increasingly wreaking physical—and financial— havoc across the world.

Fueled by a changing climate, the phenomenon is creating a complex knot of challenges for property owners, insurance companies, and policymakers.

That’s where Benjamin Collier comes in. An associate professor of risk and insurance, Collier’s research examines how insurance

markets respond to growing climate risk, as well as how uninsured businesses and households financially manage these disasters.

Globally, only around 40% of losses from natural disasters are insured in any given year—and even with insurance, expensive disaster losses may not always be fully covered.

“Today’s budgets are often very tight,” says Collier, the Welch Family Professor in Business who joined WSB’s faculty in 2025. “Without

insurance, most people don’t have the financial resources to take on major home repairs, much less replace a lost home if needed.”

In the U.S., many underinsured property owners turn to low-interest government loans, which provide emergency credit to help eligible applicants cover their damages. Conversely, these loans can also saddle homeowners with unplanned debt, leading Collier to study whether this program truly helps affected homeowners avoid a financial spiral in the months and years after a disaster.

Analyzing credit record data, Collier found that these loans do have significant and persistent positive effects, mitigating initial financial shock while also decreasing a borrower’s likelihood of filing for bankruptcy by 61% in the three years following the disaster.

“Loan recipients were also more likely to attract future private borrowing, which tends to signal positive recovery,” says Collier.

Businesses can also take low-interest disaster recovery loans from the government. Collier finds a similar result when studying these business borrowers, who are less likely to experience severe delinquencies or even close permanently following a disaster.

While government loans offer a critical safety net, Collier’s research also examines the primary line of defense: the private

insurance market. More specifically, he looks at how home insurance premiums, which have steadily increased in recent years, truly reflect the growing climate risk.

It’s been a difficult question to answer, as insurers are typically reluctant to share how they estimate and price risk. But Collier has been able to

explained by the fact that local insurance companies are now turning to large, global reinsurance companies—who effectively insure the insurers—for help as losses mount.

“These firms are better positioned to take on disaster risk and try to diversify it with a global portfolio,” says Collier. “They charge large amounts to

“UW can really leverage its expertise ... to help individual homeowners and communities become more resilient.”

BENJAMIN COLLIER

leverage publicly available data and catastrophe models in Florida—the state with America’s highest homeowner’s insurance premiums due to increasing hurricane risk—to draw some interesting conclusions.

“Since 2006, Florida has seen a 50% increase in risk, but premiums have gone up by more than 200%,” he says. “We’re finding that a dollar increase in the modeled expected loss actually results in a $4 increase in premiums that people pay.”

It’s an imbalance that Collier says can be largely

future decision making and says UW–Madison has the power and the engaged, local partners to chart a course forward.

“We’ve got local policymakers, the state insurance regulator, and one of the largest insurance companies in the country, American Family Insurance, right here in our backyard,” says Collier. “There’s a strong opportunity to build coalitions here, and UW can really leverage its expertise in this space to help individual homeowners and communities become more resilient moving forward.”

Sustainability on the RISE

take on these risks and that cost is passed through to the customer.”

As reliance on reinsurance grows, Collier says policymakers may need to eventually intervene to keep prices in check. Among the potential interventions would be the creation of a U.S. government reinsurer, which Collier says could lead to lower, more consistent prices of catastrophe reinsurance.

For now, Collier is focused on building a body of research to help inform

WSB recently brought on eight new faculty members as part of UW–Madison’s RISE Initiative, which was created to address today’s most pressing problems in Wisconsin and around the globe.

Collier represents the sustainability-focused RISEEARTH initiative, which recently expanded to also include WSB professors Christopher Timmins and Philip Mulder.

“It’s exciting to come to UW with this emphasis,” says Collier. “All across campus, there’s enthusiasm and inertia around this sustainability space with synergy happening in both research and teaching.”

ALUMNI FEATURE

Digging Deep

How a WSB degree gives Annemarie Hickey a competitive advantage on and off the court

BY CHRIS MALINA | PHOTO BY PAUL L. NEWBY II

As someone who helped Wisconsin become a volleyball powerhouse and now coaches some of the best athletes in the world, Annemarie Hickey (BA ’14, MS ’25) has a lot to be proud of. But it’s what she achieved off the court during her second stint as a UW–Madison student that brings her immense gratification.

While working two full-time jobs, Hickey enrolled in and graduated from the Wisconsin School of Business’ fully online Master of Science-Business: Data, Insights, and Analytics (MSDIA) program. For her, earning the degree was not just a way to advance her career, but a chance to make good on an undergraduate academic experience that didn’t go as planned.

“I originally came to Wisconsin to play volleyball but knew I was going to be getting a good education there, which was huge for me. But my biggest regret is that I didn’t

do well in school,” says Hickey. “I wanted to do better, and I wanted to have that second chance.”

Pursuing an MSDIA degree not only gave her that opportunity but also accelerated the former student-athlete and college coach’s path to the pros. Hickey now represents League One Volleyball (LOVB), a professional league which launched in 2020 and hosted its inaugural season in 2025 with six teams.

As an assistant coach with LOVB Madison, she’s utilizing the technical skills she honed in the MSDIA program to equip players like Lauren Carlini (BS ’17) with tools to adapt to any situation on the court.

But she’s also using her sharpened business acumen to grow the reach and impact of the nascent league and its players.

“Volleyball is growing, and people want to watch it at the highest level,” she says. “Joining LOVB was an opportunity for me to create a legacy. I’m not going to be a professional volleyball player, but I can be a part of creating and growing something new that’s huge for the sport.”

Coaching in a professional volleyball league is something Hickey could only dream of during her playing days. Recruited to UW–Madison on a volleyball scholarship, she balanced classes with early morning gym sessions, lengthy practices, and latenight film sessions. After taking the team all the way to the national championship game in her final season with the Badgers, Hickey transitioned to coaching for UW, where she began incorporating data and analytics to give the team a strategic advantage.

“During games, I would be on my computer typing in every single thing that was going on during a rally,” Hickey says. “I’ve always been interested in the technology and the data side of things, and I’m a huge problem solver.”

After pursuing other career opportunities,

Hickey officially rejoined the team in 2017 in a brandnew technical coordinator position, making her one of the first in collegiate volleyball to hold an analytics-focused role.

“I was really trying to figure out how we could be innovators for the sport,” she says.

Leveraging her technical acumen and player rapport, she secured an assistant coaching role with the Badgers while simultaneously supporting the launch of LOVB. Around the same time, she discovered WSB’s new MSDIA program, and the flexibility it offered to working professionals. She says the program came at the right place and right time—even if it required a herculean amount of juggling.

“I was coaching at a D1 level and striving to win national championships, while also effectively working for a startup company,” says Hickey. “But I wanted to earn a degree from the Wisconsin School of Business so that others could clearly see the level of preparation and commitment I bring. That was important to me, and I wanted to use my master’s degree to make my coaching

ANALYTICS IN ACTION

Pairing AI with the Python coding skills she developed in the MSDIA program, Hickey can now create scouting reports at record speed for a competitive edge.

By taking player information and feeding it into a custom Python model, Hickey generates nearly instantaneous information that can be used to predict shot outcomes, suggest

life easier.”

Even before graduation, she began putting what she learned in the program into effect, using data to enhance player performance and refine strategic planning at both the amateur and professional levels. And the gamble on herself paid off in 2025, when Hickey transitioned into an assistant coach role with LOVB Madison.

Her days revolve around leading workout sessions, film study, and practices— but they’re powered by datadriven innovations that help her players maximize their potential and achieve their unique goals, like making an Olympic team.

She’s also channeling the tenacity and resilience she built during her master’s program as she chases her new personal and professional goal: becoming a head coach.

“I exceeded the expectations that I had for myself,” she says. “I learned it’s never too late to go back to school and do something that you want. There’s always room to make change if you believe in yourself, work hard, and surround yourself with people that build you up.” ◀

personnel decisions, and inform specialized formations.

“We can do it for every single player and every single rotation, and not just with our opponents, but with our own teams,” says Hickey. “Being able to create a program like this has been a lifesaver.”

Think Like a Founder

WSB’s Maia Donohue champions a bold vision for entrepreneurial thinking at UW–Madison

PHOTO BY PAUL L. NEWBY II

Entrepreneurship has taken Maia Donohue (BA ’05, MS ’13) all over the world—but there’s nowhere he’d rather be than his home state of Wisconsin. The founder, educator, and two-time UW–Madison graduate joined WSB in 2025 as the school’s director of student engagement-entrepreneurial mindset. In this new role, he’s helping students across campus discover and embrace entrepreneurship, build critical skills, and turn their wildest dreams into reality.

WSB: What does it mean to have an entrepreneurial mindset?

Maia Donohue: When students hear the word entrepreneurship, they might think it’s only for somebody looking to launch a startup. Sure, we want to see students start companies, but having an entrepreneurial mindset is something that’s applicable to just about any career. Students in every discipline need to be able to pitch and share ideas, build social capital, and discover what’s important to their customers. Having these skills is going to pay huge dividends in any industry.

I’m focused on getting entrepreneurship out there to more students, making it more accessible, and trying to

help them understand how an entrepreneurial mindset applies to whatever they might be doing.

WSB: How are you achieving those goals?

MD: I’m teaching the new Wisconsin Applied Ventures in Entrepreneurship (WAVE) course for undergraduates. But I also work with graduate students here at WSB, as well as students across campus, because entrepreneurship is one of the few areas that truly touches every department and school at UW–Madison. What’s great is that there are other entrepreneurial units across campus, including the new Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub, and we’re all connected and support each other. At the end of the day, students interested in entrepreneurship don’t care about campus divisions; they just care about whether a resource can help them.

WSB: In 2025, you helped organize the first-ever Idea to Aisle Pitch Competition. What were your takeaways from this event?

MD: We hosted this event in partnership with Happi Co., a company founded by WSB alums. It gave over 100 students an opportunity to form teams, come up with new ideas for a packaged food product, put together a business case for their company, and then pitch it to guest judges. It was a great

learning experience, and the students did extremely well.

But what really struck me was how many students took the initiative to go and talk with Happi Co.’s founders, who were extremely generous with their time. The students realized this was a great opportunity, and many asked the founders to grab coffee after the event. Seeing students understand

“Having an entrepreneurial mindset is something that’s applicable to just about any career.”

MAIA DONOHUE (BA ’05, MS ’13)

WSB: What other opportunities or resources are available to help students bridge the gap between theory and real-world startup experience?

MD: We launched a new venture creation badge for any UW–Madison student seeking entrepreneurial skills without having to commit to a full certificate program. I’m also the advisor for StratoVC, our first-ever student-led venture capital fund, which is making actual VC investments in other student companies.

the power of social capital and not letting an opportunity go by was amazing.

We also found that while some students didn’t intend to pursue the companies they were pitching, others absolutely wanted to go forward with theirs, and so we’re now working with those students. As we look to this year’s competition, we plan to build on this success by giving students more tools to continue launching their companies beyond the event.

I’m also working with students on how to use AI productively for entrepreneurship. AI can be a powerful tool for developing a startup plan, but students need to be careful because AI can be sycophantic. If you throw your startup idea into ChatGPT, it’s likely going to butter you up and say your idea is great and people will love it. But as an entrepreneur, you need it to challenge you and tell you why you’re wrong. So, it’s important for us to demonstrate constructive ways to use AI.

There’s just so much going on here at WSB, and for me, it really feels like the right place to be. There are brilliant founders here, and I love being surrounded by them and working with them. That really gets me geared up for this work. ◀

Interview conducted and edited by

Chris Malina

Hershey CFO Steve Voskuil leads with passion for product and people

BY CHRIS MALINA | PHOTOS BY ERIC FORBERGER

Steve Voskuil (BBA ’91) has always delighted in the sights, sounds, and smells of a busy manufacturing floor.

It’s a sensory experience he first enjoyed as a wide-eyed kid—and one that still puts a smile on his face as a successful executive.

“I love numbers, but what I love most is watching candy roll off the line,” Voskuil says. “It’s the smell of fresh chocolate and peanut butter, but it’s also having the ability to talk to and learn from the people working on the line. It’s one of my favorite parts of the job.”

It’s an attitude and outlook that might easily earn Voskuil the label of kid at heart. But, paired with deep experience

and expertise, they’re also qualities that make him the perfect person for the job of senior vice president and chief financial officer at The Hershey Company. Driven by a love of consumer brands, finance, and people, Voskuil jumped at the opportunity to join Hershey in 2019 after a successful career at Kimberly-Clark and its spinoff companies.

“There’s something really special about the role that Hershey’s brands play in people’s lives,” he says. “The company’s purpose is to make more moments of goodness. To be able to do that every day was very attractive and is what ultimately brought me to Hershey. Making the world smile a little bit more is a great thing to be able to do.”

like countless hours in the Commerce Building’s booming B10 lecture hall mastering the fundamentals of business and their practical applications, which came in handy after landing his first job out of college. “I remember how quickly every day.”

That first job was with Kimberly-Clark, which offered the chance to work with high-profile consumer brands and join a finance program with plenty of room for growth. “KimberlyClark was great about really

investing in talent,” Voskuil says. “If you were willing to put in the work, to be flexible, and to take chances, there were countless opportunities for growth.”

Voskuil dove into the program and would gradually build a diverse and lengthy career with Kimberly-Clark, ascending through roles across finance, sales, and mergers and acquisitions. What started with a job that he

Voskuil poses with a larger-than-life version of one of Hershey’s most iconic products at the company’s colorful headquarters in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

initially thought might keep him and his growing family in Wisconsin took him across the country and the globe, with stops in South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, California, and England.

Then, in 2014, a new opportunity arose when Kimberly-Clark decided to spin off its small but profitable health care supply business into an independent company—and its new CEO knew exactly

“Making the world smile a little bit more is a great thing to be able to do.”

STEVE VOSKUIL (BBA ’91)

who he wanted by his side. For Voskuil, joining Halyard Health, now Avanos Medical, was a rare and valuable chance to take a company public.

“It was a great opportunity to learn how to be the CFO of a public company,” he says. “We had to raise capital, hire teams from scratch, build the investor thesis, and so much more. It was such a formative experience.”

After a few years with the new company, Voskuil received a phone call from a former colleague with a tip about an open CFO role at a very prominent public company, and one that promised working with a whole new echelon of beloved brands.

The candy man can When he’s not taking in the view of the iconic Hershey smokestacks from his office window, Voskuil is creating capital allocation plans, driving shareholder value, and leading the company’s more than 400 finance employees across the globe.

He’s a key strategic partner to Hershey’s CEO and takes immense pride in balancing tradition while infusing innovation into the 130-year-old company, such as expanding its product portfolio to include salty snacks like SkinnyPop Popcorn and Dot’s Pretzels.

“A good CFO has to love the commercial part of the business,” he says. “That integration is really important.”

Like any executive role, the job has its challenges, including fluctuating commodity prices and changing consumer tastes; but it also has some neat perks, including being among the first to test Hershey’s innovation pipeline of treats and snacks.

However, Voskuil says the biggest perk of all is being able to embrace the charitable vision of the company’s founder, Milton Hershey, through the Hershey Trust Company. Established in 1905, the trust supports several charitable initiatives, including the Milton Hershey School, which

income families. It’s also where Voskuil and his wife frequently volunteer their time.

So perhaps it’s not surprising then that when he’s not crunching numbers (or salty snacks), supporting the school’s students (“Nothing keeps you young quite like taking a dozen teenage boys to a hockey game,” he quips), or spending time with his own three children (all business majors themselves), Voskuil is focused on building something much bigger than himself at Hershey. It’s a personal aspiration shaped by his own leadership style—but it’s also one that undoubtedly would have made Milton Hershey himself smile.

“One of my career goals has always been to leave the business better than when I found it and then hand it off to a really great team,” he says. “I’m most proud of being able to develop the next generation of leaders who can carry this company forward long after I’m gone. That’s where your power, your impact, and your legacy really lie.” ◀

HERSHEY ON THE BIG SCREEN

Movie lovers, grab your popcorn (and chocolate): Hershey hits theaters later this year.

The biopic tells the story of how company founder Milton Hershey built one of the country’s most iconic brands.

“He was really the original American entrepreneur,” says Voskuil, who spent a few days on the movie’s set in 2025, and is now turning his attention to promotion of the film.

“We are going to have heritage products available and an integrated marketing campaign around the release of this movie,” says Voskuil. “It’s really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work for a company being featured in a major motion picture.”

8

BY HALEY BOYER AND CHRIS MALINA

Driving innovation in tech. Uniting neighbors through sport. Activating powerful local projects. No matter their unique experiences, these alumni are building impactful change in their industries, in their communities, and for deeply personal causes. They’re the 2026 8 to Watch class—and their stories are ready to be told.

BBA ’11

Ricardo Vargas

Title: Chief People and Community Officer, Shipt

Location: Minneapolis

Previous job: Senior director learning and development, Target

Why he’s one to watch: Vargas oversees human resources, community impact, and internal communications at Shipt, a Targetowned company connecting customers to personal shopping and delivery. He has created an ecosystem that showcases every employee’s worth through continuing education opportunities, mental health services, and a peer-nominated recognition program. “My focus is building a culture where people thrive and leaders grow.”

A seat at the table: After exploring accounting, finance, and real estate, Vargas discovered his calling with WSB’s management and human resources major. “It appealed to me and my desire to understand the role that leadership plays within corporations and in people’s lives. HR would also give me a seat at the table across many business functions.”

A champion for community: At Shipt, Vargas directs the economic and social impact agenda, collaborating with local organizations to make a positive impact in their communities. One standout partnership leverages shoppers with Shipt to deliver fresh food at no cost to food-insecure households.

The WSB advantage: Vargas credits foundational HR coursework for kickstarting his decades-long human resources career. During his internship at Target, he employed key learnings to successfully increase the attraction and retention of his store’s workforce, an achievement that launched his career.

Never stop learning

As a first-generation college graduate and the son of immigrants, Vargas learned the value of lifelong learning at a young age. He earned a coaching certification through UW–Madison’s Continuing Studies program and now applies his expertise to professionals navigating career and personal transitions.

Photo by Drew Anthony Smith

Taylor Gilmore

BBA ’22

Title: Manager, Event Operations and Client Services, Bay Area Host Committee

Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Previous job: Assistant account manager, Genesco Sports Enterprises

Why she’s one to watch: Gilmore unites stakeholders across a diverse, nine-county region—from stadium officials to local policymakers—to coordinate logistics, operations, and experiences for major sporting events in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Super Bowl LX and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “I figure out how to create the fun, energy, and culture around these different events in a way that’s accessible to the entire community and inspires pride.”

The WSB advantage: As a longtime gymnast and daughter of a college football coach, sports run in Gilmore’s blood. She credits WSB advisors for helping her channel that passion into a strategic career path. Pairing her degree with a certificate in sports communication and internships with the College Football Playoff and Pro Football Hall of Fame, she turned a lifelong interest into a profession.

Driving economic impact: Gilmore’s work with the Super Bowl LX Source Program gave local businesses and suppliers in the Bay Area critical opportunities to forge contracts with the NFL—and keep millions of dollars in Bay Area communities.

Winning play

Inspired by her organization’s all-female leadership team, Gilmore balances high-level, shootfor-the-stars thinking with day-to-day operational management. Experiencing the wide diversity of what leadership can be was a key takeaway from her involvement in WSB’s Leadership at Lambeau summit in 2022.

Embracing the journey: From coordinating enormously complex transportation logistics to setting up humble autograph tables, Gilmore’s career in sports has been shaped by moments both big and small, with every unique experience providing value. “Every opportunity you have, you’re learning what you like and what you don’t like, and it’s okay to be constantly evolving.”

Kirby

Toon

BBA ’13

Title: Director of Capital Strategy, Forward Community Investments (FCI)

Location: Madison

Previous jobs: Director of communications, engagement, and marketing, FCI; marketing manager, Coloplast; category development management positions, Kimberly-Clark

Why she’s one to watch: Toon drives capital strategy and marketing efforts at Forward Community Investments, a Madison-based nonprofit expanding access to financial services to often overlooked communities across Wisconsin. Her work was instrumental in securing funding to support activation of community-centric projects like The Black Business Hub and McKenzie Regional Workforce Center. “We really try to get to a yes where others often say no.”

A strategic match: As a volleyball player at UW–Madison, Toon found a business major to be the perfect complement to her rigorous training and leadership work on the court. “Both experiences challenged me in different ways. WSB helped me translate the skills I had honed as an athlete into skills that I could use to grow and achieve what I wanted to in my career.”

The WSB advantage: Classes like business law are notoriously challenging, but Toon says these rigorous experiences were also some of the most rewarding.

“Being put in uncomfortable situations forced me to grow in ways that I didn’t know that I needed to. That shapes your foundational skills and your potential as a leader.”

Homegrown talent

After numerous crosscountry moves to advance her corporate marketing career, Toon sought an opportunity to pursue mission-driven work in her hometown of Madison. At FCI, she’s able to strengthen her community while enhancing her own skills through impactful storytelling and investor relations.

Photo by Paul L. Newby II

BBA ’17

Steven Kelly Stress test

Title: Senior Advisor, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Location: Washington, D.C.

Previous jobs: Associate director of research, Yale School of Management; advisor to the executive chairman, Guggenheim Partners; capital management analyst, American Family Insurance

Why he’s one to watch: A prolific scholar and trusted media voice, Kelly has become a go-to expert on financial stability, devoting his career to understanding why financial crises occur—and how to prevent future ones. He now serves as a key advisor to the FDIC chairman, providing research-backed insights on managing stability in an increasingly complex global market.

A powerful combo: After getting into UW–Madison, his first (and only) choice for college, Kelly studied finance and later paired it with a complementary political science major. “I realized if you could understand the mechanics of political institutions and the

policymaking process, combined with financial mechanics, you could do a lot of good.”

The WSB advantage: Kelly points to the collaborative, problem-solving culture of WSB as a true differentiator and career booster. “It was always the students versus the class, not the students versus each other. That cooperation makes for better businesspeople down the line.”

Soon after launching his career in the private sector, Kelly joined the Yale School of Management’s Program on Financial Stability, a think tank chaired by former U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. His research work there quickly went from academic to applied, as two national financial crises—caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 bank failures—materialized in quick succession, offering real-time opportunities to translate research into action, advise policymakers, and offer solutions.

Nice niche: Kelly’s self-described “niche” area of financial expertise has led to fulfilling jobs, consulting work, an adjunct teaching position, and a forthcoming book. His best advice for students? Explore and nourish those unique interests.

AlexBisset

BBA ’08

Title: Managing Director, Head of U.S. Convertibles Sales, Barclays

Location: New York

Previous jobs: Convertibles sales, Barclays; convertible and preferred securities trader, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods

Why he’s one to watch: With a work ethic honed by late nights in Grainger Hall and early mornings on Lake Mendota, Bisset hustled to become one of the youngest managing directors in Barclays’ history. With steady leadership, deep technical expertise, and a knack for developing innovative solutions for his clients, the former student rower transformed the company’s convertibles sales division into one of its most profitable units.

The WSB advantage: Leaning on leadership lessons he learned at WSB, Bisset prioritizes building a positive team culture over everything else, striving to pass his self-described “beer test” on both good and bad days. “If everyone is still willing to come together and have a drink with colleagues after work, you’re doing something right.”

Surprise of a lifetime: Now a father of three, Bisset’s journey into parenthood began when his wife unexpectedly went into labor 2,000 miles from home, in rural Montana, the morning after his best friend’s wedding. The story of his daughter’s premature arrival, experience in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and Amtrak journey back to New York is chronicled in Bisset’s 2022 book, The Destination Birth.

Crisis to cause

Through book proceeds and personal efforts— including his “100 Miles for $100K” running challenge— Bisset has raised more than $150,000 to significantly upgrade the NICU at the hospital where his daughter was born, allowing for higher care capabilities for local (and not so local) families.

by

Photo by Drew Anthony Smith

MBA ’23

Kim Woodbury Balance is key

Title: Director of Operations Strategy, QuidelOrtho

Location: Minneapolis

Previous jobs: Project management, operations, and engineering roles, Thermo Fisher Scientific

Why she’s one to watch: Combining her operations and project management expertise, Woodbury turns strategy into action at medical diagnostics leader QuidelOrtho. She’s spearheading a multimillion-dollar management initiative to scale the manufacturing process, enhance product placement, and expand the company’s network.

Where flexibility meets business: Seeking to complement her engineering background and operations experience with business acumen, Woodbury found the perfect fit with WSB’s flexible, part-time professional MBA. “I needed something that balanced with my full-time job and allowed me to apply learnings in real time, while also creating a new network during my move from San Francisco to Madison.”

Gaining global perspective: About two years after graduation, Woodbury returned to WSB to pursue the program’s Global

Business Badge, traveling to South Africa and Botswana. The trip fulfilled a lifelong dream to study abroad, while gaining insights to share with her international colleagues.

The WSB advantage: Through the MBA program’s project-based format, Woodbury learned how to seamlessly navigate group dynamics, relying on collaboration and trust to solve problems and complete tasks.

Throughout her career, Woodbury discovered a new appreciation for work-life balance, citing a Dolly Parton quote that continues to guide her: “Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” Woodbury says, “There’s a tendency for us to be workaholics to get to the next step. But if you remain authentic and lean into what makes you you, you’ll go far.”

Advocating for equity: A passionate proponent for women’s empowerment and mentorship, Woodbury was president of the Society of Women Engineers during her undergraduate career and was a part of the leadership team of the Global Women’s Empowerment Business Resource Group at Thermo Fisher Scientific.

MBA ’18

MaggieJackson

Title: People Operations Transformation Program Lead, SoFi

Location: Stanley, Idaho

Previous jobs: Compensation roles, SoFi; chief of staff to the chief human resources officer, HP

Why she’s one to watch: By leveraging new technologies to streamline processes and centralize key information, Jackson is enhancing the holistic employee experience at SoFi, a one-stop financial services and technology company. While working to scale and automate HR operations, she helped launch a new platform that utilizes artificial intelligence to connect the company’s more than 6,000 employees to available resources. Additionally, she leads project management for the HR workstreams of SoFi’s mergers and acquisitions and international expansion efforts.

The WSB advantage: Jackson consistently applies WSB lessons from change management and negotiation classes to her current role— whether she’s working on an acquisition, helping employees adopt new technologies, or collaborating with senior leaders across departments.

Love languages: After spending two years in France as an au pair and working as a high school English teacher, Jackson made it her mission to become a fluent French speaker. Now, she’s also learning Romanian, a feat inspired by her husband’s home country. “Languages are more of a personal hobby of mine. It’s fun and it works my brain in a different way.”

Paying

it forward

Jackson also makes time to offer mentorship, career advice, and job-market insights to WSB students. “I learned so much from alumni and benefited from those relationships when I was a student. It’s been a great experience, and the school makes it really easy to get involved and stay connected.”

Photo by Amanda Nagy

Photo by Paul L. Newby II

MBA ’19

Christian Gero Doggone good

Title: Director, Azure AI, Microsoft

Location: Milwaukee

Previous jobs: Founding managing director, BlackBox TSI; manager, Majic Productions; general manager, MunckMusic

Why he’s one to watch: Gero has been scaling artificial intelligence efforts at Microsoft while championing responsible use of the technology since well before the generative AI boom. He previously helped run the company’s flagship Azure Machine Learning platform, led product strategy for Microsoft Foundry’s model catalog—including access to over 11,000 foundation models—and now drives customer adoption of the company’s entire AI portfolio, enabling organizations to create custom-built agentic applications and other AI solutions.

Sound of success: A music major with an interest in technology, Gero launched his career as an intern with a Grammy Awardwinning record label in Chicago—then quickly worked his way up to become the company’s general manager. During this time, he traveled the country with bands like The Allman Brothers, producing on-the-spot recordings from concerts and festivals.

Next track: After working for an event production firm and heading up a spinoff company, Gero sought the next step to advance his career and found a perfect match with WSB’s full-time MBA program. “I wanted to get a solid data-driven framework to making business decisions, and I dove headfirst into that at Wisconsin.”

Outside of work, Gero and his wife frequently pack up the van and hit the road with their three dogs to compete in canine agility competitions, including the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, where they took fourth place in 2023.

The WSB advantage: As an enterprise development fellow with the Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship, Gero appreciated how mentors like Dan Olszewski (BS ’87) cultivated and shaped his passion for intrapreneurship. “You get to function like an entrepreneur, but with the backing of a very large corporation. I freaking love that.”

By Wisconsin.

In business, we could all use a trusted partner. Perhaps your organization is trying to figure out where a corporate expansion would make sense. Maybe you need to get employees up to speed on using AI prompts in their dayto-day work. Or, you’re tasked with untangling a sticky supply chain issue that’s dragged down your bottom line one too many times.

BY CHRIS MALINA ILLUSTRATION BY CAM ERHARDT

For Wisconsin-based business leaders dealing with situations and challenges like these, the Wisconsin School of Business has a simple message: We’re here to be that partner—and we can help.

Enter The Wisconsin Business Partnership, WSB’s newest strategic initiative designed to deepen and expand the school’s relationships with companies across the state, from startups to Fortune 500 firms, through a holistic approach to business problem solving.

“We’re Wisconsin’s business school and we are open for business in ways companies might not realize,” says Bennett Cole, executive director of industry relations at WSB, who is overseeing the rollout of the initiative. After months of planning and research, the industry

“We’ve got the students, staff, and faculty to help tackle business challenges in ways leaders might not have considered.”

relations team is reaching out to firms across the state to introduce or reintroduce itself with an exciting new message.

“We start by listening,” says Cole. “By understanding each organization’s priorities and challenges, we can co-create opportunities and connect them with the right mix of WSB resources and expertise. We’re taking a business-to-business approach to really let these companies know what we offer and how we can help.”

While the school has long been a pipeline for top-tier talent, Cole notes that traditional partnerships can sometimes be limited in scope. The Wisconsin Business Partnership provides an entry point to a broader array of the school’s most valuable resources: executive education, specialized research, networking and visibility, and applied business projects— all tailored to a company’s specialized needs.

“Think of us as a liaison to all of the incredible assets within WSB—namely talent, knowledge, and network,” says Cole. “As the premier academic and research institution in the state, we’ve got the students, staff, and faculty to help tackle business challenges in ways leaders might not have considered.”

centers alike feel both welcomed and valued in their connection to WSB.

“As part of Wisconsin’s flagship public university, we owe a special debt to this state and we’re truly here to serve in a mutually beneficial manner,” says Cole. “For example, getting our students and faculty to work on applied business projects is incredibly valuable for a company with limited resources trying to catalyze a new project. They receive an actionable deliverable and get to evaluate talent in action. At the same time, it’s extremely beneficial for our students for real-world career preparation.”

Being part of the state’s flagship university also means being able to augment services offered by tapping into campus partners like the Center for Professional and Executive Development, UW E-Business Consortium, Office of Business Engagement, College of Engineering, and College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence.

Finding my fit with WSB if I am…

A growing Wisconsin manufacturer

Work with student teams to solve operational bottlenecks through applied business projects, while leveraging executive education to upskill company leaders.

A large, global company

Secure a pipeline of undergraduate and graduate talent, sponsor discipline-specific projects, or tap into faculty research. An emerging startup

BENNETT COLE

The Wisconsin Business Partnership also reflects a broader vision of WSB as a true statewide partner. By engaging with companies in every corner of Wisconsin, the initiative underscores a commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and long-term partnership—ensuring that businesses in rural communities and urban

While The Wisconsin Business Partnership is launching as a yearlong outreach effort, the goal is for these relationships to build a permanent foundation for statewide collaboration. And even as WSB continues to grow its reputation as a national leader in industry relations, Wisconsin will always be at the heart of its strategy.

“I would hope that within a year, we become indispensable partners to these businesses,” says Cole. “I’m more than confident that once they experience all that we can offer, we’ll be the first call they make when they need a hand.” ◀

Begin with a targeted project or mentorship opportunity, building relationships that scale as your company grows.

Class Notes

1960-1969

Richard E. Markos (BBA ’64, MS ’67) is proud to say that his company has survived for 125 continuous years in the wholesale and retail business with many iterations. His daughter Khouri is working with the team to update the company’s infrastructure to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Steve Cain (BBA ’68) will soon be celebrating his 11th anniversary of managing the Midwest office of Fairfield Capital Group, LLC, which consults with middle-market companies that need equipment leasing or financing services.

Svend Kraemer (MS ’68) is using the knowledge, skills, and mindsets he learned at WSB in social services and community building roles, working in hospitality, international relations, and policy analysis.

1970-1979

Stephen Bye (BBA ’73, MBA ’74) is excited to announce that The Kellogg Legacy: The Final Story, the fifth and final novel in The Developer series, was published in July 2025.

IN MEMORIAM

PROFESSOR

LARRY

RITTENBERG

passed away in December 2025, leaving behind a legacy of academic excellence, professional integrity, and deep love for his family, students, and colleagues. A beloved presence at WSB for 40 years, Rittenberg taught courses in accounting and auditing, inspiring thousands of students with his enthusiasm and deep sense of ethics. He also served as chair of WSB’s accounting department for 11 years, and in 2005, was named one of the nation’s 100 most influential people in finance.

Terry Peppard (JD ’73, MBA ’97) deciphered a thousandyear-old English riddle during the COVID-19 pandemic. The task required him to analyze the properties of English hardwoods, ancient bloomery iron sword-making, and AngloSaxon criminal law. Peppard says that it was remarkably rewarding work, but not easy!

Roland Blahnik (BBA ’75, MBA ’76) was inducted into the Goodwill Industries International Hall of Fame. He served Goodwill Industries of Kentucky as president and chief executive officer for 30 years. During his career supporting people with disabilities and individuals overcoming systemic barriers, he was also recognized as an Outstanding Kentuckian for his service across the state.

of Chicago and previously worked in international capital markets. He held roles in foreign exchange trading and trading risk management at Bank of Montreal, Bank of America, and Northern Trust Company.

George Moore (BBA ’79) started the George Moore IV Recovery Foundation after his 28-year-old son died of an opioid overdose in 2016. The foundation, which helps raise awareness to parents about the youth opioid epidemic in Wisconsin, has mounted over 400 naloxone kits in 70 school systems and businesses. It also provides rehabilitation assistance, information for legislators, and naloxone training to all Universities of Wisconsin fraternities.

1980-1989

Steve Weber (BBA ’75) was recognized as one of the top 100 board directors by the National Association of Corporate Directors in 2025. These awards honor the directors and governance leaders whose actions elevate board performance, strengthen trust in corporate leadership, and set the standard for thoughtful oversight and responsible stewardship.

Dan Skurski (BBA ’78) recently retired and is enjoying traveling with his wife of 40 years, Diane. For the last 31 years, he’s lived in the northern suburbs

Steven McCosky (BBA ’81) retired in May 2024 from General Datatech, LP in Dallas after 12 years as a major accounts manager. Previously, he worked in sales at Cisco Systems, Inc., and held roles at Oracle Corporation, Unisys Corporation, and A.B. Dick Company.

retired from Kral Ussery LLC to redirect his attention to personal aspirations. Over his 38-year career, Kral has been blessed to have worked with hundreds of organizations, many through leading accounting firms. He looks forward to splitting his retirement time between his Nevada and Wisconsin residences, and keeping busy with hiking, tennis, softball, and golf.

Karl Hansen (BBA ’86) leads sales for food service, industrial, and retail channels at Olymel.

Dan Kleiber (BBA ’86) is excited to celebrate 23 years and over 2,600 events at Mr Treasure Hunt, a team-building event business he founded in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since the first hunt in 2002, Mr Treasure Hunt has helped thousands of corporate groups, friends, families, and school communities explore iconic neighborhoods, uncover hidden gems, and strengthen bonds through the joy of discovery.

1990-1999

Pamela (Hart) Byce (BBA ’90, JD ’02) has been promoted to associate dean of Lewis & Clark Law School’s animal law program. Since joining the Center for Animal Law Studies in 2018, Byce has served as assistant dean and executive director, playing a key role in significantly increasing

the program’s resources, broadening its curriculum and degree offerings, and cementing its reputation as a global leader in animal law education.

Sean Kearney (BBA ’90) has been appointed chairman of the Minneapolis-based law firm Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., where he specializes in mergers and acquisitions and leads the firm’s private equity practice.

JULIE FRY (MA ’97)

is proud to share that Gentreo, the life and estate planning platform she co-founded, received the Dealmakers Boston Social Impact Award. The award honors companies creating lasting social impact through innovation and engagement, recognizing Gentreo’s work to make estate planning more affordable, accessible, and user-friendly.

Jonathan Wishnia (BBA ’99) was named managing partner of Lowenstein Sandler LLP, a national law firm with over 400 attorneys. Wishnia has served on the firm’s executive board and as its hiring partner, while being a key architect of the firm’s strategic plan. Wishnia will continue to lead the firm’s mortgage and structured finance practice, while assuming full managing partner responsibilities.

2000-2009

Cody Harper (BBA ’01) has joined Peakhill Capital as vice president, financing, where he supports the firm’s expanding U.S. platform. Based in Chicago, he focuses on originating and structuring commercial real estate debt and equity transactions, including those backed by principal capital. Harper brings prior capital markets experience and looks forward to reconnecting with UW–Madison alumni.

Quraish Baldiwala (MBA, MS ’02) recently joined Direct Supply Inc. in Milwaukee as president of the direct supply manufacturing business unit and group vice president of supply chain. A partner-owned enterprise, Direct Supply’s mission is to improve the lives of seniors.

@UWBusiness CONNECT WITH US

@wisconsinschoolofbusiness

Tom Maas (BBA ’02) was recently honored by BizTimes Milwaukee as a Notable Leader in Commercial Real Estate.

Michael A. Campbell (MBA ’03) is the founder and CEO of Work Ready Partners, a San Diego company building trust infrastructure for earlycareer hiring. In May 2025, Campbell earned his doctorate in education leadership and innovation from New York University, where his studies focused on bridging the gap between industry and K-12 education. Previously, he led global education strategy at Intel and Lenovo for nearly two decades.

Alyssa Spiel (BA ’03, MBA ’22) and her husband, Mike, welcomed a daughter, Kayla June, on March 5, 2025. Kayla surprised her parents by arriving four weeks early, ready and eager to enter the world at 7 pounds, 2 ounces!

In July 2025, Spiel began a new role at SC Johnson.

Continued on next page

Class Notes

Jacquie Berg Ramsey (BBA ’05) is the founder and CEO of Fresh Test, a womenled pharmaceutical company producing the first organic, dye-free diagnostic glucose beverage and colonoscopy prep. Now a leading diagnostics brand, Fresh Test has earned accolades such as the Mom’s Choice Award and Chase Ink’s Entreprenista 100. Berg Ramsey lives in California with her husband and two kids.

Hussein Sharif (BBA ’08) spent nearly seven years at Google in New York City, where he helped startups integrate cloud technology and AI. He then traded corporate stability to launch his own venture, Automagical Apps. Founding a company while welcoming his first child has been, in his words, “difficult, fulfilling, and adventurous!”

Michael Fiore (MBA ’09) was the 2024 recipient of the National Academy of Medicine’s Lienhard Award, which is given annually to honor a member whose lifetime achievements resulted in exceptional contributions to improving U.S. health care.

2010-2019

Vivek Deshpande (MBA ’11) is transforming global cancer care through his co-founded venture, ArbudaUSA. By bridging the gap between patients in underserved regions and leading oncologists from world-renowned hospitals like MD Anderson, Apollo, and Ascension, ArbudaUSA is driving international collaboration and improving patient outcomes.

DEANNA SINGH (MBA ’12)

and her husband, Justin Ponder, transformed a historic Milwaukee mansion into Uplifting Mansion, a social enterprise hub with event spaces, an art gallery, offices for small businesses, and short-term rental opportunities. In the first year, they’ve hosted over 100 events and have been featured in numerous publications. Their children, Zephaniah and Zion, help manage operations, making it a family legacy.

@wisconsinschoolofbusiness @UWBusiness CONNECT WITH US

Bryan Brunken (BS ’12, MBA ’20) had a fantastic 2025! He and his wife welcomed their fourth child in May. He says that family life keeps them busy with activities and sports throughout the year, including Scouts, soccer, and hockey. Brunken also earned the Wealth Management Certified Professional and Retirement Income Certified Professional designations through The American College.

Sean Park (BBA ’13, MAcc ’14) has relocated to London after 12 years in New York City to take on a new role as head of tax – North America at Ocado Group. Focused on building and scaling a modern tax function, Park brings experience across public accounting and industry, including technology, banking, and fintech. Park says he would love to reconnect with alumni in the United Kingdom.

Jennifer Hoege (MBA ’14) helps leaders tackle their toughest people, culture, and change challenges as a Madison-area executive coach, business advisor, and former C-suite executive. Hoege is excited to share that she has earned her Professional Certified Coach

credential from the International Coaching Federation, a globally recognized, advanced credential held by fewer than 25,000 coaches.

Don Nelson (MBA ’16) is now senior vice president, external affairs at InnovAge, where he oversees state and federal government affairs. Before his current role, he spent eight years at Magellan Health as vice president, national government affairs.

Jason Eggert (MBA ’17) has been promoted to corporate banking director, senior vice president at Old National Bank in Milwaukee. In this role, he leads the corporate banking division for the state, overseeing a team that partners with middle-market and corporate clients. Eggert also remains active in the Badger community.

Hilton E. Ritter (MBA ’17) sold his company, Shurclean, LLC, to his son, Thorin. Ritter has also started another company, ShurFly Aviation, LLC, and is now semi-retired.

Travis Reese (BBA ’18) has joined Telix Pharmaceuticals as director, business strategy and process excellence. After eight years in industry and strategy consulting, he most recently worked at Accenture, leading two engagements and contributing to 11 engagements

across growth, sustainability, and public service. He recently completed the Master of Public Policy program at Duke University and is excited to align his career with improving outcomes for patients with cancer and rare diseases.

Lauren Johnson (MBA ’19) became the vice president of integration management at Advocate Health in August 2025. Her family also welcomed their third child, Hailey, in October 2025.

2020-2026

Courtney Morrison (BBA ’20) recently relocated to Nashville to pursue an opportunity as a chief of staff/ strategic project manager for a manufacturing and kitchen equipment supplier in the quickservice restaurant industry. Morrison says she would love to connect with other Nashville Badgers.

Taeli Turner (MA ’21) continues to work at the intersection of arts, faith, and community, holding a position at the Center for Healthy Minds at UW–Madison. She is a single mom and seminarian who remains actively engaged in Madison and faith-based communities. In a time of distraction and division, Turner leads with inclusion and love of others.

Cade Yerges (BBA ’23) began his career at Adyen in late 2023 as an analyst before assuming the role of onboarding specialist – platforms for the company in 2025. In February, Yerges began a new role as a regulatory product compliance specialist at Adyen, where he ensures the company’s financial product offerings are in line with regulatory requirements.

Alessandro Medina (BBA ’24) pursued product development and design following a brand management internship at Procter & Gamble. He created MANN, a marketplace for men that makes it easy to look, smell, and feel good. Medina credits UW–Madison with helping him build momentum across a range of interests and giving him room to explore his creative work.

Nicky Fink (BBA ’24) accepted a position as real estate advisory analyst at Kroll in New York. This position involves analyzing national and global real estate markets, conducting financial analyses on public and private entities, and evaluating key industry trends to support strategic advisory. Her work involves financial modeling, in-depth market research, and direct client engagement to deliver data-driven insights. ◀

“I’m happy to share that I’m expanding my career portfolio by starting a business. In addition to my work as a procurement strategist and leader, I have launched Wedgewood Consulting LLC, which assists with business formation, business strategy, and the protection of both.”

“I’m excited to share that I’ve been promoted to Director, Corporate Strategic Partnerships at Adobe! I’ll continue working on product partnerships at the intersection of creativity and GenAI, now with a broader scope and even greater scale. Onward

Seeking Study Spots

PHOTOS BY PAUL L. NEWBY II

W

ith a significant renovation to Grainger Hall underway, construction has limited access to many favorite study spots over the past year. However, studious Business Badgers are not ones to be deterred—and they’ve been getting creative in finding cozy spots to hit the books. See how students are adapting to the temporary disruptions while they eagerly await the project’s completion in 2027. ◀

With headphones on, accounting major Kirsten King

tackles an assignment in a newly renovated space in WSB’s Business

Finance and risk management student