In the heart of winter, the UW Corporate Finance & Investment Banking MBAs embarked on a two-day career exploration journey to Minneapolis, MN, which took place on February 22nd and 23rd. On this trip, we gained incredible insight into the corporate culture at each firm we visited and enjoyed a deep dive into the financial operations, challenges, and success stories of four iconic companies: Target, Piper Sandler, General Mills, and 3M. Here are a few of the highlights from our very memorable experience:
Day One: Retail & Finance Insights
After an early morning departure from Madison, our first stop was to Target’s corporate headquarters where we were greeted with a warm welcome that contrasted the frigid temperatures outside. After a tour through the beautiful modern spaces of the headquarter office, we met with Lead MBA Recruiter, James McLean, along with several UW alumni: Vice President of Investor Relations, John Hulbert, Merchandise Finance Senior Manager, Sheenagh Cleary, and Senior Vice President – Treasurer and Corporate Development, Pam Tomczik. The discussions centered around Target’s commitment to customer satisfaction, how to navigate a successful career within a large corporation, and how they seamlessly blend physical and digital retail experiences to stay ahead in the competitive market in the wake of the COVID pandemic. It was incredibly valuable to hear which skills and approaches successful financial leaders thought were most impactful as we prepare for the next chapter of our careers.
In the afternoon, we walked the extremely convenient Minneapolis skyway system to Piper Sandler, a leader in the middle market of the financial advisory and investment banking sector. Director Ted Willems shared invaluable insights into the company’s history and operations, emphasizing the importance of relationships, client focus, and the nurturing of talent within their teams. Our conversations revealed the depth of Piper Sandler’s expertise in navigating complex financial landscapes, making it a pivotal learning experience for all of us especially to those who are pursuing careers in investment banking. Later that evening, we enjoyed gathering with Minneapolis area alumni at CRAVE, a favorite restaurant downtown.
Day Two: Consumer Food & Manufacturing Innovation
On the second day, we journeyed to General Mills, where Senior Finance Manager Kristi Johnson and her fellow Badger alumni (Director, North America Controller, Alissa Ryan, Sr. Finance Manager, Meals & Baking, Kristen Harvey, and Finance Manager, Global Finance Capabilities, Carly Mendelsohn) showcased how this multinational manufacturer of consumer foods maintains its industry leadership. Their focus on innovation, sustainability, and community engagement was evident in every story shared. Learning about their strategic market insights, the agility with which they adapt to changing consumer demands, and their own career journeys was very inspiring.
Our final visit was to the 3M Innovation Center, a place where creativity and science converge to improve countless lives across the globe. Vice President Sarah Tennessen, Finance Manager Mitchell Keuer, Senior Treasury Analyst Megan Allen, and Global Logistics Finance Lead Nathan Gustafson, in addition to our fantastic tour guide Bruce Pearson, all introduced us to 3M’s culture of curiosity and relentless pursuit of innovation. Through the mini theatre presentation and highly informative exhibits of the 3M Innovation Center we got to see firsthand how 3M’s collaborative environment fosters the development of groundbreaking products left us amazed at the broad-reaching impact a company can have.
Reflections & Gratitude
Reflecting on our Minneapolis career trek, we are filled with gratitude for the opportunity to engage with leaders and innovators at the forefront of their industries. Each company visit not only broadened our understanding of financial operations and culture but also reinforced our commitment to excellence, innovation, and thoughtful leadership in our future careers.
In closing, I’d like to express a heartfelt thank you to our Nicholas Center Assistant Director Andrea Sorenson and Director Barb Bolens who both worked diligently to make this trip possible, in addition to all of the very articulate and generous leaders who took the time out of their busy schedules to show us such hospitality and further our education in an impactful way. Amid a very busy time of the semester, it was a refreshing change of scenery and a perspective expanding experience. We returned to Madison with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for the exciting paths our careers in finance might take.
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