The Briefing
WSB alumni prepare students for life in a new city
WSB hosted its inaugural Know Before You Go event for undergraduate students relocating to a new city for an internship or full-time position after graduation. Organized by Wisconsin Business Alumni Board member Sam Komisar (BBA ’23), the event allowed students to connect with alumni living in cities across the U.S., while gaining insights about the transition from campus to career.
Inaugural AI summit connects WSB community to leading AI expertise
Actionable AI insights were the focus of WSB’s Ground Truth: AI for Business Summit, which drew over 260 attendees from 95 companies to UW–Madison’s Memorial Union in April. Guests heard from academic leaders and industry experts representing global companies like Google, Medtronic, and Deloitte. They shared how their organizations are deploying AI—as well as valuable insights that drive business success.
WSB celebrates first graduating class of refreshed executive MBA program
From driving innovation in tech to activating powerful local projects, this year’s class of 8 to Watch alumni are making an impact in their communities and in their industries. Read their stories in the latest issue of Update magazine, along with additional features highlighting entrepreneurship, global connections, and bold leadership from our incredible Business Badgers.
The Ticker
- Announcing the redesigned full-time MBA: Launching in Fall 2027, the redesigned program builds on current strengths and reflects the evolving needs of today’s business landscape with a bold new leadership model, hands-on AI coursework, and flexible career pathways. Applications for the program open on August 3, 2026.
- Celebrating Badger pride in Seoul: Over 115 alumni and friends across South Korea gathered to honor the school’s 125th anniversary in June.
- An economic powerhouse: UW–Madison generates nearly $40 billion in economic impact across the state, with alumni contributing $23 billion annually through their employment, earnings, and business activity.
- In our AI era: UW–Madison is designating 2026 as the Year of AI Readiness and Competency to ensure that Badgers are prepared to use AI thoughtfully, responsibly, and in service to the Wisconsin Idea.
- I spy WSB alumni: A few Business Badgers were recently spotlighted in On Wisconsin magazine for their extraordinary experiences, including launching an ice cream company with Snoop Dogg and hosting an HGTV show.
Back to School
Leading Through the AI Shift: Four Priorities for Business Leaders
There’s a lot of noise around AI right now. New tools, big promises, and constant headlines can make it hard for leaders to know what matters—and what to do next. The Wisconsin School of Business Center for Professional & Executive Development’s Leading Enterprise AI Transformation program on September 16–17 in Madison helps leaders cut through that noise and focus on four key strategic areas:
- Adoption isn’t a strategy: Business professionals must pinpoint where AI can create real value and what will set their organization apart.
- Understand the fundamentals: Leaders need a clear understanding of what AI is, what it isn’t, and where it can make a meaningful impact on business.
- Move from pilots to scale: Scaling AI takes the right foundation, including governance, security, and clear guardrails to support responsible use.
- Lead the change: Moving from AI-aware to AI-native means updating processes, building trust, and helping teams adapt to new ways of working.
Taught by Matt Seitz, executive director of WSB’s AI Hub for Business, this program will equip participants with a practical plan they can apply in their own organizations.
Enrollment also includes free admission to Ground Truth: Agentic AI Forum on September 18, where Fortune 500 executives and business leaders will share how they are putting AI to work today.
Tip Sheet
Find Your Badger Community
As a UW–Madison alum, you’re already part of the exceptional and nationally recognized Badger network. With over half a million alumni living in over 200 countries around the world, there are ample opportunities to strengthen your ties to the UW and meet alumni who share common life stages, interests, and career paths.
Here are three ways to deepen your alumni connection and find community with fellow Badgers:
- In your early career: Sign up for BOLD (Badgers of the Last Decade) Circles, young alumni groups in Madison, Chicago, and New York that help you expand your network.
- In your area: Join a regional LinkedIn group and check out the UW’s alumni chapters to build relationships with Badgers near you.
- In your industry: Make connections in your field through communities like Badgers in Finance, Badgers in Tech, and Badgers in Sports and Entertainment.
Alumni Opportunities
October 3: Your favorite tailgate returns this fall in a new location! Tickets will soon go on sale for WSB’s 2026 Homecoming Bash at Union South and the Homecoming football game. Add to your calendar now!
Share your good news: Submit a Class Note to be featured in the Fall/Winter 2026 issue of Update magazine—and don’t forget to include a photo!
Join the Alumni Voice Panel: Share your opinions and help improve the alumni and student experience through WSB’s online panel.
Team up with WSB: Follow the school’s new Industry Relations LinkedIn page for exclusive access to partnership opportunities, WSB news, and ways to engage with the school.
Gain access to top talent: Hire WSB undergraduate and graduate students to make an impact at your organization.
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