The Briefing
New WSB campaign spotlights alumni driven by humility, grit, and a deep commitment to collaboration
Leading with integrity and heart across a multitude of industries, these alumni embody the core values of a trusted business partner, including their ability to navigate ambiguity, build momentum, and inspire change. They’re the ones you want on your team, representing what makes WSB graduates so unique. Learn more about these exceptional alumni making their mark and leading at organizations like Spotify, Morgan Stanley, and the Chicago Bulls.
Food product startup contest blends entrepreneurship and alumni partnership to benefit students
Over 100 student entrepreneurs took part in WSB’s recent Idea to Aisle Pitch Competition. Teams were tasked with creating a short video submission about their food product idea, with six teams of finalists chosen to present to a panel of judges. The inaugural event was hosted in partnership with Happi Co., a multimillion-dollar CPG company founded by WSB alums Sam Rockwell (BBA ’10), Jeremy Reich (BBA ’10), and Justin Samuels (BBA ’10).
New BOLD Circles initiative helps young alumni thrive through connection and career-boosting opportunities
BOLD (Badgers of the Last Decade) Circles keeps recent graduates plugged into the Business Badger community—even after they’ve left Grainger Hall. With guidance from WSB and alumni leaders, Circle members create their own experiences in their city, from professional development opportunities and networking to social meetups and Badger game watch parties. Registration for Madison, Chicago, and New York City BOLD Circles opens in Spring 2026.
The Ticker
- Partners in project management: Wisconsin MBA students teamed up with computer science majors to solve real-world problems from companies such as Amazon Shopbop and Capital One.
- Visiting alumni in the Twin Cities: In November 2025, WSB headed to Minneapolis to talk AI and the school’s bold future as part of our 125th anniversary regional event series.
- Award-winning journalist at WSB: Reuters tech reporter Deepa Seetharaman visited WSB as the school’s 2025 Business Journalist in Residence.
- Half a million Badgers: In 2025, UW–Madison reached the remarkable milestone of 500,000 living alumni. Can you guess which U.S. city (outside of Wisconsin) has the most Badgers?
Back to School
Looking Back on WSB’s 125th Anniversary
We’re still riding the wave of WSB’s 125th anniversary celebration, which was jam-packed with special publications, community events, and unique opportunities to get involved with the school’s proud milestone.
In 2025, WSB spearheaded several marquee celebrations and hosted over two dozen global toasts worldwide, culminating in over 1,000 event attendees! The school also held an investiture ceremony to recognize thought leaders who hold a named chair or professorship at WSB and the generous donors who give life to their transformational work.
Check out photos that summarize our fantastic anniversary year and view a recap of WSB’s Then and Now social media series. WSB will continue celebrating its anniversary overseas this spring, hosting events in Hong Kong on March 28, 2026, and Seoul, South Korea, on May 29–30, 2026.
Tip Sheet
Dive into AI at WSB
AI’s unprecedented impact on the business world has sparked the need for savvy professionals who not only understand the complexities of this technology, but can leverage its powerful capabilities to fulfill business needs.
That’s why WSB has invested in a variety of AI-focused initiatives to ensure that students and alumni can lead in an AI-driven society. Here are five ways you can grow your AI acumen and skill set with the help of WSB:
- Visit WSB’s AI Hub for Business, a centralized resource for practical knowledge, industry connections, and academic expertise involving artificial intelligence. Join the mailing list to receive exclusive updates and invites to the AI webinar series, and read about the hub’s new advisory board.
- Join business and tech leaders at Memorial Union in Madison for the AI for Business Summit on April 16–17.
- Read about the school’s investments in AI curriculum and research in a Q&A with WSB’s Daniel Bauer.
- Subscribe to ExplAIn it like I’m busy, a weekly newsletter that explores what’s new in AI and why it matters from WSB’s Matt Seitz, director of the AI Hub for Business.
- Keep an eye out for The Badger AI, WSB’s new AI podcast series.
Alumni Opportunities
March 28: Register now for WSB’s 125th anniversary event in Hong Kong, an exciting opportunity to celebrate WSB’s enduring Legacy in Motion with alumni, friends, and school leadership.
April 14–15: Save the date for Day of the Badger, a philanthropic giving tradition to support WSB student success.
Mark your calendars: WSB returns to Seoul, South Korea, on May 29–30, 2026. Join us for the Wisconsin Alumni Association of Korea annual meeting, featuring a special celebration of WSB’s 125th anniversary in partnership with the Wisconsin Alumni Association.
Champion alumni engagement: Apply or nominate someone for a position on the Wisconsin Business Alumni Board today! This dedicated group of alumni and supporters expands the reach of the school by advancing key priorities for alumni engagement.
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.
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.
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