Dean's Advisory Board
Wisconsin Naming Partners
Innovation Fund
Wisconsin Business Alumni Board
Diversity Advisory Board
Knowledge Center Boards

Dean's Advisory Board

The Dean's Advisory Board provides guidance, advice, and support to help the Wisconsin School of Business achieve its strategic objectives. Board members represent a variety of large and small, local and international companies. Each member serves a four-year term. 

Michael CaseySenior Managing DirectorBlackstone GroupBiography
Sean ClearyPresidentCleary Building CorpBiography
Tim Daniels1985Biography
Tom Formolo1986Partner & Member of Management CommitteeCHS CapitalBiography
Laura FrancisCFOAuxogyn IncBiography
Jeffery HammesPartnerKirkland & EllisBiography
Cindy Ihlenfeld1975Artist and Community LeaderBiography
Peter Leidel1978Founder & MemberYorktown PartnersBiography
John MulliganExecutive Vice President and CFOTarget CorporationBiography
John NeisManaging DirectorVenture Investors of Wisc.Biography
Mark NerenhausenFounding Director & Professor of Practice Syracuse University Art Leadership Graduate ProgramBiography
Bill NygrenPortfolio ManagerHarris Associates, Oakmark FundBiography
Debra PerryManaging MemberPerry ConsultingBiography
Robert PollockPresident and CEO (Dean's Advisory Board Chairman)Assurant Inc.Biography
Gary RappeportRetired CEODonlen CorporationBiography
Ann SchwisterVice President, Global Oral Care Finance and AccountingProcter & Gamble CompanyBiography
Richard SearerFormer PresidentKraft Foods, Inc.Biography
Suzanne ShainOwnerBrandFirst MarketingBiography
Toni SikesCo-CEOThe Art CommissionBiography
Sandra SponemSr. VP and CFOMortenson ConstructionBiography
Stew StenderPartnerStewart Capital PartnersBiography
Tom StevensChairman and CEOLos Angeles Capital ManagementBiography
Scott VanderSandenPresidentAT&T WisconsinBiography
John Ver BockelManaging Director-Investments, Private Banking & Investment GroupMerrill Lynch & Co.Biography
Don WalkovikSenior Managing Director and Company to Brock CapitalSullivan & CromwellBiography
Jeff YabukiCEOFiserv.Biography

Wisconsin Naming Partners

In 2007, the Wisconsin School of Business received an unprecedented gift totaling $85 million from a group of 13 alumni who formed the “Wisconsin Naming Partnership” to support the school’s mission. The gift has since grown to $95.4 million and includes two more naming partners. Two naming partners remain anonymous.

The Wisconsin naming gift is the first of its kind received by a U.S. business school. Conventional business school naming gifts adopt the name of a single donor in perpetuity. By preserving the Wisconsin name for 20 years, this gift leaves open the option of future naming gifts. During that time, the school will not be named for a single donor or entity. This unprecedented naming partnership will uphold tradition and greatly enhance the value of the school to students, the campus, and the state.

The Wisconsin Naming Partnership will provide strategic advice to the Wisconsin School of Business, including future naming opportunities. The partnership includes:

Paul CollinsCitigroupBiography
Wade Fetzer IIIGoldman SachsBiography
Pete FrechettePatterson CompaniesBiography
Jon Hammes1974ChairmanHammes CompanyBiography
Ted D. KellnerFiduciary ManagementBiography
Mike KnetterUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonBiography
Paul LeffPerry Partners, Ltd.Biography
Sheldon B. LubarLubar & Co., IncBiography
John MorgridgeCisco Systems, Inc.Biography
Albert "Ab" NicholasChairman, CEO & Portfolio ManagerNicholas CompanyBiography
John J. OrosManaging DirectorJC FLowers & Co. LLCBiography
H. Signe OstbySoftware Publishing CorporationBiography

Innovation Fund

Andrew BoszhardtManaging Partner and CIOGreat Oaks Venture CapitalBiography
Jeffery HammesPartnerKirkland & EllisBiography
Cindy Ihlenfeld1975Artist and Community LeaderBiography
Bill JohnsonRetired ChairmanJohansen Capital Associates, Inc.Biography
Peter Leidel1978Founder & MemberYorktown PartnersBiography
Milo PinkertonPresident and FounderMSP Real Estate, Inc.Biography
Robert PollockPresident and CEO (Dean's Advisory Board Chairman)Assurant Inc.Biography
Ricky SandlerManaging Member and Senior Portfolio ManagerEminence Capital, LLCBiography
Glen Tellock1983CEOManitowoc Company, Inc.Biography
William (Truk) & Joan TrukenbroadBBA '61Retired Executive Vice PresidentThe Northern Trust CompanyBiography
Gary WendtExecutive Managing PartnerGlobal Opportunity AdvisorsBiography
Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni AssociationWREAABiography

Wisconsin Business Alumni Board

Shad Aumann
Technology Strategist & Product Development Manager
Agile Software
MBA '10

Kelley Burnett
District Sales Manager
American Family Insurance
BBA '03

Cynthia Bush
Manager, Guest Insights - Home Private Label Research
Target Corporation
BBA '05

Lindsey Day
Business & Securities Associate
Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand LLP
BBA '03 MAC '04

Mike Lisle
Controller
KleenMark
BBA '01

Scott Machut
Head of Accident & Health Business Development, USA
Beazley Group
BBA '89

Matt Martinek
Portfolio Manager
Reinhart Partners
BBA '05

Derek Matzke
CPA/Assurance Senior Manager
BDO
BBA '01, MAC '02

Emmett McCann
Managing Director
Highstar Capital
BBA '97

Aaron Mikulsky
Small Business Underwriting-Strategy & Analytics
CNA Insurance
BBA '95, MBA '00

B.J. Miller
Senior Director Financial Planning & Analysis
Park Nicollet Health Services
BBA '87

Tonia Nelson
Chief Risk Management Officer
Harrison Street Real Estate Company
BA '96, MS '03

Amy Nigrelli
Vice President, Marketing Communications
CUNA
MBA '10

Erika ODonohoe
Project Manager
Asthmapolis
MBA '09

Tim O’Mara
N&S America Sales Manager
Fuji Silysia Chemical SA
MBA '10

Max Peek
Senior Vice President
Waterton Associates LLC
BBA '03

Suzy Pursell
Product Manager, Credit Insurance
CUNA Mutual
BBA '00, MBA '08

Mike Sanders
General Manager
Netech
BBA '89

Amrita Sandhu
Marketing Manager
American Girl
MBA '10

Neil Shapiro
Managing Director
GF Capital Management & Advisors LLC
BBA '92

Michael Valitchka
Senior Associate
Point B
BBA '03

Diversity Advisory Board

Darrell BazzellUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonBiography
Malcolm BrettBroadcasting Media InnovationsUW Extension
Sandra ChilesHBOBiography
Stan DavisUW System Board of Regents
Mickey DurmickNestleBiography
Ian GrahamGE HealthcareBiography
Kathy JohnsonNational Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications
Pam KermishGeneral Mills
Dwayne MaddoxAmerican Family InsuranceBiography
Michelle ThomasThe Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
Scott WildeAmerican Family Insurance
Ray WilsonPricewaterhouseCoopers

Knowledge Center Boards

Knowledge Center boards and the companies they represent are a crucial source of the real-world learning emphasized at the Wisconsin School of Business. Board members serve at the highest levels in leading business around the world – many of them are alumni of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. All of them commit to helping our students begin successful careers in their chosen fields.