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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.

2022-2023 Academic Year Speakers

Eric Hansotia

Eric Hansotia

Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer at AGCO Cooperation

September 9, 2022
6:00–7:00 p.m.

Eric Hansotia is Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer for AGCO Cooperation, a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of agricultural equipment.

In his conversation with Dean Vallabh Sambamurthy, Mr. Hansotia will draw from his extensive experience in engineering, advanced technology, manufacturing, product management, quality, and global business leadership.

Watch Eric’s presentation
Joan Lamm-Tennant

Joan Lamm-Tennant

Chair of the Boards of Directors at AllianceBernstein Holdings LP and Equitable Holdings, Inc.

October 13, 2022
6:00–7:00 p.m.

Dr. Joan Lamm-Tennant is the Chair of the Boards of Directors at AllianceBernstein Holdings LP and Equitable Holdings, Inc. She is the founder and former CEO of Blue Marble Microinsurance, and served as an adjunct professor of international business at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

In her conversation with Christy Kaufman, VP of Risk Management at Zillow, Dr. Lamm-Tennant will draw from her experience and leadership related to innovation, entrepreneurship, ESG (environmental, social, governance), and her focus on the social impact of commercially-viable insurance to the underserved.

Watch Joan’s presentation
Cheryl Stallworth

Cheryl Stallworth-Hooper

Co-founder of ShedLight.org

February 16, 2023
6:00-7:00 p.m.

Cheryl Stallworth is a co-founder of ShedLight.org. Previously, she was CEO of Firefly, Kantar Millward Brown’s North American qualitative research division for a decade. Cheryl prides herself in providing ShedLight clients with insights and innovation that are transforming the social impact landscape for brands and non-profits. Her expertise in revealing meaningful human stories, together with her strategic marketing expertise, make Cheryl uniquely suited to help ShedLight clients develop strategies for driving meaningful social change while achieving their growth goals.

Earlier in her career at Colgate-Palmolive, Cheryl served as a Worldwide Brand Director, General Manager-Guatemala, and VP/General Manager-Multicultural Marketing. At The Coca-Cola Company, Cheryl was Marketing Director/Central America & Caribbean and Consumer Insights Director-Sports and Entertainment Marketing. She holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a member of the Dean’s External Advisory Board at the Wisconsin School of Business. Cheryl lived in Central America for 8 years and is fluent in English & Spanish.

Joe Duran

Joe Duran

Co-head at Goldman Sachs Personal Financial Management Group

April 20, 2023
6:00-7:00 p.m.

Joe Duran has held positions including:

  • Co-head, Goldman Sachs Personal Financial Management Group
  • Partner, Goldman Sachs (2019) following acquisition of United Capital, renamed Personal Financial Management
  • Founder, United Capital (2005)
  • Former president, GE Private Asset Management
  • Author of NYT bestseller The Money Code

2021-2022 Academic Year Speakers

Jill Timm

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

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

Kathy Blumenfeld

Cabinet Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions

January 7, 2022
12:00-1:00 p.m.

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.

Watch Kathy's presentation
Scott Cook

Scott Cook

Co-founder and Board Member, Intuit, Inc.

April 21, 2022
4:00-7:00 p.m.

Scott Cook is co-founder of Intuit (1983) and Board member, as well as President of the Intuit Scholarship Foundation.

He was a former board member of Amazon, Procter & Gamble, and eBay/PayPal, and a former Consultant for Bain & Company and Brand Manager for Procter & Gamble.

He is also an advisory Board Member of the Center for Brand and Product Management, Wisconsin School of Business.

Watch Scott's presentation

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).

Barry Calpino

Barry Calpino

Vice President of Breakthrough Innovation, Kraft Foods Group
Susan Chapman-Hughes

Susan Chapman-Hughes

EVP, Global Head of Digital Capabilities, Transformation and Operations, GCS at American Express
Watch Susan's presentation
Kevin Conroy

Kevin Conroy

Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and President, Exact Sciences
William A. Davis

William A. Davis

President and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Orlando Resort
Rana el Kaliouby

Rana el Kaliouby

CEO & Co-Founder, Affectiva; Author of Girl Decoded
Watch Rana's presentation
Peter Feigin

Peter Feigin

President, Milwaukee Bucks
Watch Peter's presentation
Roger W. Ferguson, Jr.

Roger W. Ferguson, Jr.

President and CEO, TIAA
Watch Roger's presentation

Gayle Fuguitt

Chief of Customer Insight and Innovation, Foursquare
Watch Gayle's presentation
Ann Mukherjee

Ann Mukherjee

Global Chief Marketing Officer, SC Johnson
Thomas Perez

Thomas Perez

U.S. Secretary of Labor
Paul Polman

Paul Polman

Chief Executive Officer, Unilever
Marc S. Pritchard

Marc S. Pritchard

Chief Brand Officer at Procter & Gamble
Stephanie L. Pugliese

Stephanie L. Pugliese

President & CEO, Duluth Trading Co
Marvin A. Riley

Marvin A. Riley

President & CEO, EnPro Industries, Inc.
Watch Marvin's presentation
Aaron S. Williams

Aaron S. Williams

Executive Vice President, Government Relations and Corporate Communications, RTI International
Watch Aaron's presentation
Jake Wood

Jake Wood

Co-Founder & CEO, Team Rubicon
Watch Jake's presentation