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Alumni in Action

WSB Celebrates 125 Years with UW–Madison Alumni and Friends in Hong Kong

By Alumni Relations

April 10, 2026

Nearly 130 UW–Madison and Wisconsin School of Business alumni came together on Saturday, March 28 for a special international event that celebrated community, school pride, and a 125-year legacy of business innovation.

The Wisconsin School of Business 125th Anniversary Celebration: Hong Kong united old friends and new across East Asia for dinner, conversation, and a presentation from school leaders and prominent alumni.

“We’re excited to celebrate with alumni and friends in Hong Kong and those who traveled in from mainland China,” said Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy, WSB’s Albert O. Nicholas Dean, during his introductory remarks. “Alumni are the proof points of WSB’s impact. This anniversary is as much about celebrating your success as it is about the school’s success.”

Sambamurthy was joined on stage by Business Badgers with deep ties to the region, including Viveca Chan (BBA ’76), founder of the Hong Kong-based WE Marketing Group, and Cynthia Chu (BBA ’99), chief financial and growth officer at Audible.

“Looking around this room, I’m reminded that WSB’s strength has always been its people: alumni, faculty, and leaders who carry forward a legacy of innovation and impact across the globe,” said Chu, who grew up in Hong Kong and now chairs the school’s External Advisory Board.

Justin Sydnor (BA ’01), professor and American Family Insurance Distinguished Chair in Risk Management and Insurance at WSB, also delivered a keynote showcasing the school’s thought leadership on issues of climate risk and rising insurance rates.

In addition, Sambamurthy presented four Business Badgers with WSB’s Recognition of Alumni Excellence, including Ricky Wong (MBA ’89), Bruce Cheung (BBA ’76), Sunny Tan (BBA ’94), and Viveca Chan (BBA ’76).

In the lead up to the anniversary celebration, WSB also partnered with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology for two symposiums: Workshop on Climate Risk, Sustainability, and Real Estate on Thursday, March 26, and Bridging the Disaster Protection Gap in Asia, Starting from Climate Risk Realities on Friday, March 27. Both events featured several WSB faculty.

Dean Samba greets guests as the Wisconsin School of Business 125th Anniversary Celebration: Hong Kong gets underway on Saturday, March 28 at the JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong.
Sandra Lau (BBA ’94), president of UW–Madison’s Hong Kong alumni chapter (far right), joins fellow Badgers for photos in front of a celebratory red backdrop.
More than 125 members of the Badger community from across Hong Kong and mainland China attended the lively event.
Cynthia Chu (BBA ’99) talks about her transformational story of coming to Wisconsin to attend college, and how she’s working to support today’s international students.
Viveca Chan (BBA ’76), who founded WE Marketing Group in Hong Kong in 2005, provides a welcome on behalf of the local alumni community.
Professor Justin Sydnor (BA ’01) discusses how WSB researchers are addressing issues of climate risk and rising insurance rates.
A pair of Badgers take a break from catching up to show their Wisconsin pride while the excitement of the event carries on.
From left to right, Bruce Cheung (BBA ’76), Ricky Wong (MBA ’89), Viveca Chan (BBA ’76), and Sunny Tan (BBA ’94) pose with their Recognition of Alumni Excellence plaques.
Alumni close out the evening with a show of loyalty to their alma mater: a trait that defines Badgers not just in Hong Kong, but across the entire globe.

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