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.
2024-2025 Academic Year Speakers
Richard Lane
6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Richard is a retired senior executive from the insurance, reinsurance, and financial services industries for both private and publicly traded companies, spanning a 40 year career.
- He has been an angel/venture capital investor in a variety of early-stage and mid-stage companies over the last 30 years.
- He serves on boards of directors, boards of advisors, and as a senior management consultant for strategic growth, business development and exit strategies.
- Richard is a 1977 graduate of the Wisconsin School of Business, with concentrations in accounting and risk management.
Alice L. Ferris, MBA, CFRE, ACFRE
6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Alice’s company provides hands-on, comprehensive leadership for small nonprofit teams.
- She has worked extensively in fundraising for nonprofits in many charitable areas including: public media, rural healthcare, education, and science.
- Alice is recognized for her on-air presence on public television and radio pledge drives and national PBS fundraisers such as Masterpiece, Downton Abbey, and The Civil War.
- A proud double Badger, Alice serves on the UW–Madison Communication Arts Partners (CAPS) Board and is a past member of the Bolz Center for Arts Administration Advisory Board. She is also a retired UW–Madison competition ballroom dancer.
Cynthia Chu
5:15–6:15 p.m.
Plenary Room, 1310 Grainger Hall
- Evolution of a modern CFO – going beyond traditional expectation of a finance leader
- Uncommon yet complementary pairing of responsibilities – CFO + Growth Officer
- Underlying foundation of how to approach career through the lens of lifelong learning
Refreshments will be served in the East Atrium at 4:45 p.m.
A reception in the East Atrium will immediately follow at 6:15-7:00 p.m.
Featured Previous Speakers
Here are just a few of the many inspiring leaders who have joined the Wisconsin School of Business for the Weikel Series (listed alphabetically).
Thasunda Brown Duckett
Joe Duran
Peter Faricy
Roger W. Ferguson, Jr.
Gayle Fuguitt
Eric Hansotia
Joan Lamm-Tennant
Ann Mukherjee
Thomas Perez
Marc S. Pritchard
Marvin A. Riley
Cheryl Stallworth
Jill Timm
Bob Trunzo
Aaron S. Williams
