Skip to main content

Alumni in Action

Business Casual: September 2025

An informal but informative newsletter for WSB alumni and friends

By Wisconsin School of Business | Photography by Paul L. Newby II

September 16, 2025

WSB at 125; A Legacy in Motion; Business Badgers pose for a photo at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery
Due to construction preparation in Grainger Hall, first-year Business Badgers headed to the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery for WSB’s annual welcome photo. Grainger Hall is currently gearing up for a transformative first-floor remodel, complete with state-of-the-art spaces to learn, dine, and connect. Photo by Paul L. Newby II

The Briefing

icon of people and connections

Wisconsin Business Alumni Board kicks off new term
The Wisconsin Business Alumni Board welcomes eight new members this fall, as well as new leadership. With Rodrigo Stabio (MBA ’19) as chair, Michelle Bougie (MBA ’20) as vice chair, and Amy Jo Pedone (BBA ’96) as chair emeritus, the board is poised to grow the impact and connectivity of the Business Badger community by activating regional alumni networks, opening new doors to industry, and engaging young alumni.

icon of person and shield

Meet the 2025 WSB Alumni Award recipients
The school is proud to announce the 2025 recipients of the Distinguished Business Alumni Award, the WSB Impact Award, and the inaugural WSB BOLD Award. This group of six Business Badgers is recognized for their professional accomplishments, community and industry impacts, and service to WSB. “Each of these alumni set an example that all Business Badgers can be proud of,” says Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy, WSB’s Albert O. Nicholas Dean.

icon of leaf

WSB welcomes twelve new faculty members
This fall, a dozen new thought leaders joined WSB, bringing research expertise and teaching excellence across business disciplines. These individuals offer specialized expertise in cutting-edge topics—like artificial intelligence and sustainability—while also supporting the strategic pillars of UW–Madison Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin’s Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative. The new faculty will address complex business issues while preparing students to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.

The Ticker

  • Step into Grainger Hall’s renovation: View this short video for an inside look at Badger Blueprint, including the substantial first-floor remodel that begins this fall.
  • A catalyst for entrepreneurship: With significant input from WSB’s Jon Eckhardt, UW–Madison formed the Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub, a founder-first initiative aimed at strengthening entrepreneurial pathways through new resources and programs.
  • A+ for camaraderie and connection: The Princeton Review rated UW–Madison #14 for best alumni networks—that’s up one spot from last year!
  • Internship insights: Three Business Badgers share their summer internship experiences at Ovative Group, Motorola Solutions, and Kimberly-Clark.
  • AI on the runway: Check out a recent study from WSB’s Page Moreau on how AI can be used to transform creative processes—and how fashion brands, for example, can utilize the technology to deliver fresh, crowd-informed designs.
icon of a backpack

Back to School

Join WSB’s 125th Anniversary Celebration!

It’s here! WSB’s 125th anniversary celebration is officially underway, and we can’t wait to engage with the Business Badger community during this exciting time. As alumni, you’ve played a vital role in shaping our 125-year Legacy in Motion—and we invite you to join in on the celebration of a lifetime. Check out all the ways you can show your Business Badger pride and get involved this fall:

checklist

Tip Sheet

Badgers Helping Badgers

The school’s 125th anniversary celebration is the perfect occasion to strengthen your connection to the WSB community. If you’re looking for small ways to make a big difference, consider sponsoring a consulting project, mentoring current students, or connecting with fellow alumni in your area.

There are plenty of ways to have an impact and boost your involvement with WSB. Find the opportunity that’s right for you by filling out our Get Involved form today.

Alumni Opportunities

October 3: Join WSB’s Strategic Human Resource Management Center for the 2025 SHR Symposium at UW–Madison’s Pyle Center. Register today to build connections, share HR knowledge, and engage with MBA students, alumni, industry professionals, and more.

October 9–10: The flamingos are flying to Bascom Hill—but they can’t land without you! Save the date for this year’s Fill the Hill event to support student success at WSB.

125 Years of Doing Business the Badger Way: Register now for WSB’s 125th anniversary events in Milwaukee, Chicago, New York City, and the Twin Cities.

Special delivery: Keep an eye out for our anniversary-themed Fall/Winter 2025 issue of Update magazine, which publishes in October.

Share your opinions: Join the Alumni Voice Panel to help improve the alumni and student experience by taking brief surveys and offering your insights.

Subscribe now: Stay current on the groundbreaking research and teaching excellence of WSB faculty through the school’s Leading the Way newsletter on LinkedIn.

Get connected: Network with other Business Badgers and gain access to exclusive resources by joining the Wisconsin Business Alumni LinkedIn group and finding a regional alumni LinkedIn group in your area.

Special note: An exciting transformation of Grainger Hall is taking place! Due to anticipated construction in the building, WSB will not be hosting a Homecoming Bash or selling Homecoming football tickets in 2025. We hope you’ll join us instead at one of our 125th anniversary events this fall.

About Business Casual

Every other month, alumni and friends of the Wisconsin School of Business will receive insider updates with news about our alumni, faculty, students, and programs. If you want to share Business Casual with friends, they can sign up at go.wisc.edu/wsb-biz-cas.

Questions or comments? Email businesscasual@wsb.wisc.edu

Tags: