Weikel Speaker Series

The M. Keith Weikel Speaker Series enables Wisconsin MBA students to interact with and learn from accomplished business leaders and alumni. Executives from both the private and public sectors are invited to campus to address students. Students deepen their leadership skills by hearing the distinct perspectives of these visiting business leaders. Pre- and post-receptions create exclusive networking opportunities for students.

Made Possible through Alumni Support

The series was established in 2004 with a gift by John J. Oros (BBA ‘71) and his wife, Anne Wackman. Oros is managing director at J.C. Flowers & Co., LLC. Today, the series continues as the M. Keith Weikel MBA Leadership Speaker Series thanks to a gift by M. Keith Weikel (PhD, Marketing and Economics, ‘66) and his wife Barbara. Weikel retired as senior executive vice president and COO of ManorCare, Inc. in Toledo, Ohio, in 2006. He has served as a director of Laboratory Corporation of America, director for Direct Supply, Inc., and director emeritus for Manor Care, Inc. He is a member of the Federation of American Health Systems and the Alliance for Quality Long Term Care.

2021-2022 Academic Year Speakers

Jill Timm

CFO, Kohl’s

September 10, 2021
5:00–8:00 p.m.

Jill Timm has spent the past 22 years of her illustrious career at Kohl’s, the largest department retail chain in the United States.

Named CFO in 2019, Ms. Timm oversees Kohl’s financial planning and analysis, investor relations, financial reporting, accounting operations, tax, and treasury.

Previous roles in Jill Timm’s career at Kohl’s include:

Executive Vice President – Finance (2018-2019)
Senior Vice President – Finance (2012-2018)
Vice President – Finance (2008-2012)
Vice President – Financial Planning & Analysis (2006-2008)

Watch Jill's presentation

Thasunda Brown Duckett

President & CEO of TIAA

September 30, 2021
5:00–8:00 p.m.

Thasunda Brown Duckett is President and CEO of TIAA, a Fortune 100 provider of retirement and investment solutions for people working in higher education, healthcare, and other mission-driven organizations.

Ms. Duckett joined TIAA after serving as CEO of Chase Consumer Banking, overseeing a banking network with more than $600 billion in deposits and 50,000 employees. Prior to that, she was the CEO of Chase Auto Finance, one of the leading U.S. providers of auto financing.

Ms. Duckett serves on several national boards, such as:

NIKE, Inc.
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
Sesame Workshop
National Meal of Honor Museum
Economic Club of New York

Watch Thasunda's presentation

Kathy Blumenfeld

Cabinet Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions

January 7, 2022
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Plenary Room of Grainger Hall or livestreamed here: www.go.wisc.edu/weikel

Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld was appointed by Governor Tony Evers as the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) in January 2019.

In this role, her priority at DFI is strengthening the financial well-being of the people of Wisconsin by protecting the safety and soundness of Wisconsin’s financial institutions, safeguarding the investing public, facilitating commerce, and increasing financial capability throughout the state.

Prior to accepting this position, Secretary Blumenfeld served as the Executive Vice President of Special Operations at the Total Administrative Services Corporation (TASC), and had an illustrious 26-year career at CUNA Mutual Group, most recently as Vice President of Lending & Payment Security.

In this fireside chat with Binnu Palta Hill, Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at the Wisconsin School of Business, Secretary Blumenfeld will discuss ways to advance your career through mentorship, sponsorship and allyship. She will share personal stories of her journey and how male allyship played an important role.

2020-2021 Academic Year Speakers

Rana el Kaliouby

CEO & Co-Founder, Affectiva; Author of Girl Decoded

September 24, 2020
6:00–7:00 p.m.

Dr. el Kaliouby is a rarity in both the tech world and her native Middle East: a Muslim leader and CEO, a woman in charge in a field that is still overwhelmingly white and male. Co-Founder and CEO of Affectiva, a tech firm born at the MIT Media Lab, Rana is also the author of the recently released book Girl Decoded: A Scientist’s Quest to Reclaim Our Humanity by Bringing Emotional Intelligence to Technology (2020).

Highlights from her career include:

Named one of Fortune’s 40 Under 40 and Forbes’ Top 50
Women in Tech
World Economic Forum Young Global Leader
Member of Young Presidents’ Organization
Co-hosted PBS NOVA series on AI
Earned a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge and Post Doctorate at MIT

Watch Rana's presentation

Marvin A. Riley

President & CEO, EnPro Industries, Inc.

October 22, 2020
6:00–7:00 p.m.

Marvin A. Riley oversees a global workforce of 5,300 employees as the President and Chief Executive Officer of EnPro Industries, a global manufacturer of proprietary engineered products across diverse end markets.

Highlights from Marvin A. Riley include:

Served EnPro Industries, Inc. in a variety of roles including: Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, President of the Fairbanks Morse Engine division, VP of Manufacturing, and VP of Global Operations
Served more than 10 years as an executive at General Motors Corporation
Served on the Board of Directors of TimkenSteel Corporation
Completed the Advanced Management Program (AMP) at the Harvard Business School

Watch Marvin's presentation

Adonica Randall

President and Chief Problem Solver, Abaxent, LLC

Adonica has over 35 years of experience in the development of business startups, new services, and process improvement across industries like healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, and construction. She is well-recognized as a thought leader who speaks widely on the future of women and minorities in STEM careers.

Career highlights for Adonica Randall include:

The Entrepreneur in Residence at Marquette University’s Opus College of Engineering
Ambassador for Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WI)
African Heritage International board member

Watch Adonica's presentation

Jake Wood

Co-Founder & CEO, Team Rubicon

February 4, 2021
6:00-7:00 p.m.

Jake Wood is cofounder and CEO of Team Rubicon, a nonprofit organization that utilizes the skills of military veterans to deploy disaster response teams. Since its founding in response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Team Rubicon has launched over 650 operations in response to natural disasters and humanitarian crises, and has grown from eight to 120,000 members.

Career highlights for Jake Wood include:

Distinguished service in the United States Marine Corps, earning numerous commendations and achieving the rank of Sergeant
Briefed President Obama on veterans’ issues and former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton on Team Rubicon
Author of two books, including Once a Warrior: How One Veteran Found a New Mission Closer to Home (2020)
Recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Courage at the 2018 ESPY Awards
Wisconsin School of Business alum and former UW football player

Watch Jake's presentation