Distinguished Entrepreneurs Lunch

Entrepreneur Natasha takes a selfie with a group of excited students.

DEL speaker Dana talks over Zoom with business partner Lamarr.

Connect with entrepreneurs over lunch

Hear success stories from local experts

At the Distinguished Entrepreneurs Lunch (DEL), you will have access to accomplished entrepreneurs and business leaders through candid conversations about building and growing a business.

In a welcoming, fun, informal setting, you can expand your network, ask questions, and get practical advice. Featured speakers include UW–Madison alumni, startup founders, business owners, executives, innovators, and industry leaders.

Lunch is provided, and it’s free!

We are deeply grateful to Joe Boucher and Neider & Boucher, S.C. for their enduring partnership and commitment to the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Joe Boucher

Founding Shareholder, Neider & Boucher, S.C.

Throughout more than four decades of service, Joe Boucher has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to supporting students, entrepreneurship education, and the broader mission of the Wisconsin School of Business.

Joe has been a driving force behind the success of the Distinguished Entrepreneurs Lunch program, supporting DEL from its inception in 2013. His partnership and sponsorship through Neider & Boucher, S.C. have helped make the program a transformative experience for thousands of students, inspiring them to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities.

“As someone building a career that bridges two very different fields, I have found these lunches invaluable. It’s a casual, conversational space to hear how local entrepreneurs’ paths wandered outside their original training—a reminder that the winding route is often the right one.”

Billy Erazo (PhD ’25, MBA ’27)

Specialization: Technology Strategy and Product Management

“It is especially exciting to hear about the entrepreneurial minds, experiences, failures, triumphs, and feedback behind local businesses I interact with at these lunches. Just being in the room inspired ideas and imagination for my aspirations to be an entrepreneur myself. Go to one yourself; you will see.”

Grace Dykstra (BBA ’28)

Major: Entrepreneurship

“Even though I am not a business student, attending the Distinguished Entrepreneurs Lunches has given me the opportunity to learn from the stories, lessons and experiences of successful entrepreneurs. Each speaker brings a unique perspective, and I always leave with a new takeaway. It is also great to see students from across campus coming together to learn and benefit from these conversations.”

Miles Metzger (BS’ 27)

Major: Industrial Engineering

Attend a Distinguished Entrepreneurs Lunch

Sessions are held every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters from 12:15 to 1 p.m. Attendance is free.

Advanced registration is required. Please RSVP using the link provided with each event.

“As a founder who has participated in the Distinguished Entrepreneurs Lunch on multiple occasions, I have seen firsthand how DEL gives students something that is hard to replicate in a classroom: the opportunity to learn directly from people who have built businesses, faced challenges, and made tough decisions along the way. Throughout my career, I have seen how important curiosity, confidence, and a willingness to learn are vital to personal and professional growth. DEL gives students the opportunity to develop those qualities while gaining a broader perspective that will serve them well throughout their careers.”

Steve Goldberg (BBA ’79)

From the lunchroom

Explore highlights from previous Distinguished Entrepreneurs Lunch events.

Carrie Thome, Lyndon Lattie and Lonnie Kieffer, Annemarie Maitri, Darren Smith, Matt Maroon, Natasha Vora, Mike Trigg, Katie Lorenz, David Gilberg and Joe Hamilton

Distinguished Entrepreneurs Lunch

Connect with entrepreneurs over lunch

Hear success stories from local experts

Joe Boucher

Attend a Distinguished Entrepreneurs Lunch

Upcoming lunches