Letter from the Director
Hello Nicholas Center community and friends,
Welcome to Fall at the Nicholas Center! As the semester begins and campus comes alive, we’re thrilled to share the latest updates from the Nicholas Center. This fall marks a season of momentum and celebration—with our largest incoming cohort since 2015, the launch of new initiatives, and a major milestone in our program’s history.
We’ve officially welcomed the Class of 2027, joining our returning second-year students to form a dynamic group of 26 MBAs. Their energy, curiosity, and drive set the tone for an exciting year ahead. Our second-years are back from impactful summer internships, ready to build on their experiences and take on new challenges.
This year also marks a special milestone for the Wisconsin School of Business – we’re celebrating 125 years of A Legacy in Motion. As one of the first business schools in the nation, we have consistently demonstrated what it means to lead. It’s a time to reflect on the leadership, innovation, and community that defines our alumni—and look ahead to the next chapter of growth.
We’re grateful for your continued engagement and support. Whether you’re mentoring students, involved in our events, or cheering us on from afar, you’re part of what makes this community thrive. We look forward to staying connected and sharing more throughout the year.
On, Wisconsin!
Barb
Summer at the Nicholas Center
Class of 2026 Summer Internships
We’re incredibly proud of our Class of 2026 students who completed internships at Hoffmaster, Harris Williams, Ippolito Christon, American Family, Rehlko, Baird, Romero Capital, and RBC Capital Markets. We’re pleased to share that all four of our Investment Banking Summer Associates were offered (and accepted) return IB offers! Congratulations to Matthew Winkler (RBC Capital Markets, Noah Hurtado (Harris Williams), Clare Sullivan (Baird) and Andrew Sternaman (Baird).
Our second year students have now embarked upon their second year and have started several challenging courses, including their capstone consulting project class. Most of our Class of 2026 students will also serve as Teaching Assistants or Graders in several undergraduate and graduate level finance courses. We have seven of our returning second years who are recruiting for full-time positions and we encourage you to view our resume books and reach out to them if you have a finance role open within your organization!
Class of 2027 Incoming Student Profiles
We welcomed fifteen students as part of our Class of 2027, our largest class since 2015! Our students bring diverse backgrounds and experiences and have undergraduate degrees in accounting, finance, economics, real estate, marketing, food science, communication arts, microbiology and business analytics. Our CFIB Class of 2027 averages 4 years and 4 months of work experience and ten have previous finance experience. One student is a military veteran, having served in the U.S. Army, and now WI Army National Guard. We also have five female students (one of which is a JD/MBA)! We have one international student from Indonesia although two others who are U.S. Citizens, but originally from Pakistan and Nepal. Our domestic students come from North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin. We look forward to you meeting our students in our upcoming fall events!
Resume books for our Class of 2027 are also available! You can also contact Amanda Kost on our Employer Relations team to facilitate on-campus recruiting this fall or upcoming spring semester.
Class of 2027 Student Spotlights
Originally from Radnor, Ohio, Kasey joins the Wisconsin MBA with a background in business analytics and finance, most recently serving as a Business Management Senior Associate at JPMorgan Chase. A former collegiate softball player turned data storyteller, she’s passionate about leadership, education, and outdoor adventure. Kasey aims to pursue a finance role in consulting or corporate finance, where she can lead mission-driven teams and drive strategic impact. Outside the classroom, she’s a self-published author, an avid hiker, animal lover, and half marathoner who finds joy in exploring new trails with her goldendoodle, Misha by her side. Read Kasey’s full student spotlight!
Originally from Wyckoff, New Jersey, Ryan brings a global perspective to the Wisconsin MBA, shaped by four years in Abu Dhabi and visits to 21 countries. With a BS in Hospitality Management and an MS in Accountancy, he joins the program after serving as a Portfolio Management Analyst at Nuveen, a TIAA company and brings analyst experience from TIAA’s Financial Analysis & Accounting Associate rotational program. Ryan’s passion for finance, real estate, and data-driven strategy fuels his goal of joining a Fortune 500 FP&A team and leading AI enterprise-level solutions. Ryan is an avid soccer fan who balances his professional drive with outdoor adventures and a love for fitness. Read Ryan’s full student spotlight!
Originally from Nepal, Richa brings a global perspective and a passion for strategic finance to the Wisconsin MBA. Prior to joining the program, she served as Accountant II at Spectrum Brands, where she played a key role in international financial consolidation and supported the company’s SAP S4/HANA migration. With a BBA in Accounting and experience spanning public accounting and corporate finance, Richa is focused on FP&A and the strategic use of data to improve processes and guide executive decision making. A multilingual traveler and dedicated volunteer, she’s building bridges across cultures and teams while charting a path toward collaborative finance leadership. Read Richa’s full student spotlight!
John R. Schweers Memorial Scholarship
The Nicholas Center is honored to announce the establishment of the John R. Schweers Memorial Scholarship, made possible through a generous new donor partnership with the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association. John and his wife Jackie had been passionate about supporting the University of Wisconsin – Madison and Jackie wanted to continue that tradition by establishing this scholarship in John’s name to support MBA students focused on corporate finance. This scholarship will be awarded to corporate finance MBA students annually and will help us continue to support growth in the Nicholas Center.
John received his MBA in Finance in 1969 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his career in finance included various positions with Texas Instruments, The Trane Company, American Standard, Inc., Donaldson Company, and DeMarche Associates Inc. John also taught various Finance courses at the University of St. Thomas and Saint Mary’s University in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota area. Additionally, John served on several non-profit foundation boards. After retiring, John continued to teach various finance courses at the University of St. Thomas.
We’re proud to announce that two of the students featured above, Ryan Naidu and Richa Shah, have been selected as this year’s recipients of the John R. Schweers Memorial Scholarship. Their dedication to corporate finance and leadership excellence reflects the spirit and legacy of John’s contributions to the field.
Fall 2025
Don Condon Speaker Series Line-Up
Our Don Condon Speaker Series continues to be part of the CFIB student experience, with sessions incorporated into our Current Topics & Applied Learning in Finance course. Through this course, students are exposed to applied learning experiences, industry speakers, and career treks and workshops. We’re so thankful to those who have committed to joining us for sessions this fall. We have an incredible lineup of speakers!
Procter & Gamble – Finance Careers at P&G
Nick Rauer, Vice President of Finance
Nathan Koehn, CFO – Native
United Airlines – Finance Careers at United
Sean Gilmore, Sr. Manager, Flight Operations Finance
Dan Mellen, Sr. Financial Analyst & Jordan Ross, Analyst
Hoffmaster – Journey to CFO
Aaron Holt, Vice President & CFO
Target – FP&A Careers & Beyond
Matt Nehls, Sr. Manager, Investor Relations
Hershey’s – A Unique 130-year Legacy
Steve Voskuil, CFO
Medtronic, Finance Careers in a Multi-National Corporation
Tom Tefft, SVP, Retired
SC Johnson – Mergers & Acquisitions at SCJ
Jeff Prochnow, Executive Director, New Ventures & Acquisitions
Mike Katte, Director, Corporate Development
Industrial Physics – 13-Week Cash Flow Forecasting
John Weyers, CFO
Madison Lake Capital – Private Equity & Entrepreneurship
Akhil Remesan, Partner
Microsoft, Finance Skills & Digital Transformation
Gulru Gurkan, Commercial Finance Lead – Africa
ZipRecruiter, Taking ZipRecruiter Public
Tim Yarbrough, CFO
Virtual Mock Interviews
This fall, we’re holding virtual Mock Interviews during the month of October, instead of in-person mock interviews to provide for more participation and flexibility for participants. We will need several alumni or industry partners to be available virtually for our first year CFIB students to schedule 45-minute interview sessions – which consist of 25 minutes of interviewing, and 20 minutes of feedback/networking. If you are willing to be on our mock interview list, please email Andrea. Students will outreach directly to you to schedule their session and can work around your schedule. We will share guidance on the process, provide guiding questions and way for interviewers to share feedback.
Speed Casing Event
On October 3rd, from 1:00pm – 2:30pm, the Graduate Business Consulting Association (GBCA) is hosting an in-person speed casing event. Students will rotate through short, timed mock interview stations, individually practicing case interview questions, elevator pitches, and behavioral responses. Each round includes 5 minutes to respond to a prompt and 2 minutes of feedback from a peer or facilitator before rotating to the next station. If you’re an alumnus of WSB and are available to come to Grainger Hall, please reach out to GBCA Co-President Sophia Dellamaria!
Milwaukee Career Trek
The Nicholas Center continues to plan career treks each semester to provide the opportunity for students to visit company headquarters on-site and gain valuable perspectives, develop their finance skills and learn about careers. Next week (Sept 18-19), we’ll be visiting Molson Coors, Rehlko, Deloitte, Baird, and Komatsu. We appreciate the support of our alumni and employer partners who have graciously offered to host us in Milwaukee. We look forward to sharing more about our trip in upcoming newsletters!
Advisory Board News
Fall Advisory Board & Alumni Meeting – October 10th
Next month, we’ll gather again for our annual Fall Advisory Board & Alumni meeting at the Pyle Center. During our time together, we’ll review the state of the school and discuss the strategic direction of the Nicholas Center. We’ll be having several student consulting project presentations as well as an alumni panel. This year, there will not be a Advisory Board & Alumni dinner the night before due to the 125th Anniversary Gala event which is being held at Garver Feed Mill on October 9th.
Welcome Board Member Joe Freitas
The Nicholas Center is pleased to welcome Joe Freitas to its Executive Advisory Board. Joe serves as Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis at American Family Insurance, where he leads enterprise-wide financial strategy and analytics across all operating companies and core functions. With more than two decades of senior leadership experience—including key roles at The Hanover Insurance Group and Main Street America—Joe brings deep expertise in financial performance, strategic planning, and operational oversight. His guidance will be instrumental in advancing the Center’s mission to prepare MBA students for impactful careers in finance and business leadership.
WSB News
WSB Welcomes 12 new Faculty Members
This fall, the Wisconsin School of Business proudly welcomes twelve new distinguished faculty members across seven departments. Three of the new faculty will join the Finance department: Scott Ross Baker, William Diamond, and Zhongtian Chen. Their combined expertise spans household finance, macroeconomics, asset pricing, banking, and the integration of machine learning into financial modeling. Baker, formerly at Northwestern’s Kellogg School, brings a passion for connecting economic theory with real-world decision-making. Diamond joins from Wharton, with research focused on financial institutions, regulation, and crisis mitigation. Chen, a member of UW–Madison’s RISE–AI Initiative, explores how investor beliefs and behavior shape markets, using advanced machine learning techniques to unpack the “black box” of predictive models. These new hires reflect WSB’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation, and will play a key role in preparing students for successful finance careers.
Business Badgers Recognized with 2025 Wisconsin Alumni Association Awards
The Wisconsin Alumni Association recently announced its 2025 award recipients, celebrating four standout members of the Business Badger community. Among them is Nicholas Center Advisory Board member John Oros (BBA ’71), who received the Distinguished Service Award alongside his wife, Anne (BA ’72). Oros is recognized for his extraordinary impact on UW–Madison through mentorship programs like Badgers in Finance, philanthropic leadership as a Wisconsin Naming Partner, and service on multiple boards including the WFAA, Nicholas Center, and WSB’s Dean’s Advisory Board. His dedication to student success and institutional excellence continues to shape the future of business education. Read more about John and Anne Oros’ achievements.
Wisconsin School of Business Celebrates 125 Years of Innovation, Impact, and Legacy in Motion
In celebration of WSB’s 125th year, our talented colleagues at WSB created a wonderful anniversary video—narrated by Manu Raju (BBA ’02), chief congressional correspondent for CNN. It honors the unstoppable force of Business Badgers—students daring to lead boldly, faculty driving discovery for the greater good, and alumni transforming industries around the globe. Visit the 125th anniversary landing page for upcoming events in Madison and beyond!
Signature events include a 125th anniversary Gala October 9th, which is a signature Homecoming Week event for alumni and donors, featuring immersive storytelling, entertainment, food, and festivities. WSB is also hosting Regional anniversary events throughout the fall, a series of events that brings the celebration to alumni and friends in cities across the country. These receptions will feature thought leadership on AI and innovation, networking opportunities, and reflections on WSB’s bold vision for the future. Check out the events near you!
Milwaukee—September 16
Chicago—September 17
New York City—October 22
Twin Cities—November 13
There will also be a Global Toast on December 5th, where Business Badgers at hosted events around the world will raise a glass to celebrate WSB’s legacy and future.
Applications Open Late September
We have started our Class of 2028 recruitment season and ask again for your support in referring potential students to us! Interested students can register to join our upcoming info session on December 11th to learn more. Join Center staff, current students and admissions representatives in a virtual meeting to learn more about the CFIB MBA program, student experience, as well as career pathways and employment outcomes! Please register for the event in advance. Prospective students are also welcome to outreach and connect with our Admission team.
CFIB Information Session
Thursday, Dec. 11th – 12:00pm – 12:45pm
Application Review Deadlines:
Cycle 1: September 25th
Cycle 2: November 4th
Cycle 3: January 13th (Merit priority)
Cycle 4: March 3rd
Cycle 5: April 9th (International deadline)
Cycle 6: June 4th
This past year, 100% of our Class of 2027 CFIB students received merit aid in the form of scholarships, fellowships, or teaching assistant positions. Learn more below about the additional resources available to prospective students.
Learn about The Consortium
The mission of The Consortium for Graduate Study in Managementis to increase the ranks of African Americans, Hispanic Americas and Native Americans in business education and corporate leadership. The Consortium recruits MBA prospects who share a demonstrated commitment to that mission, regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity.
Consortium Resources
As a Consortium member, you have access to exclusive resources and preparation materials, including networking events and job opportunities even before setting foot in the classroom.
Consortium funding may cover up to full tuition and required fees for your MBA studies. You may also be offered partial funding depending on criteria evaluated by the member school.
Learn about Forte Foundation
The mission of Forteis to launch women into fulfilling, significant careers through access to business education, professional development, and a community of successful women. Forte gives women equal access to an infrastructure – business education, role models, professional networks, leadership training – that empower them to rethink what’s possible.
What drives Forte to action?
- Only 41% of Forte MBA grads are women, compared to 50% in law and medical schools.
- 10% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women.
- Only 32% of S&P 500 board members are women.
Other Ways to Support the Nicholas Center
Sponsor a Consulting Project
Each fall semester, CFIB MBA students work with a Corporate Sponsor who provides a project that has a finance and strategic element and high degree of complexity. Projects could also have operational, regulatory, governance and other elements. Students work on teams of 4-5 and typically begin their work in September and conclude in early December, depending on the complexity of the project, and their work is culminated with a professional presentation with the sponsor. Sponsors are also present on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to answer questions. There is no required fee to participate – contact Barb Bolens to discuss.
Join our Speaker Series
Our Speaker Series is part of a Current Topics in Finance class that all first year CFIB MBA students take during their fall and spring semester. We’re looking forward to bringing in additional finance speakers this fall and next spring to connect classroom learnings to real world application. Contact Barb Bolens or Andrea Sorenson to discuss your case study idea or proposal.
Mentor a Student
Each year, we pair our incoming CFIB students with an Alumni and Advisory Board member who mentor who provides advice and support as the student begins the program and recruiting journey. Students are expected to initiate connections and conversations with their mentor. If interested in serving in this capacity, contact Barb Bolens to further discuss.
Give to the Nicholas Center
Making a financial contribution is one way to make an impact and help further the Nicholas Center’s mission. We welcome donations to the Don M. Condon and Linda M. Condon Graduate Fellowship Fund. Donations to this fund are used to provide financial support to students who exemplify Don’s spirit, commitment, and leadership in the field of corporate finance.
Engage on Social Media
The Nicholas Center is increasing its social media presence, and we’d love for you to connect with and follow our accounts on LinkedIn and Instagram to stay up on our news and other events. Click on the icon links below to connect.
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