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.
2023-2024 Academic Year Speakers
Bob Trunzo
September 8, 2023
6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Former Secretary of Development for Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson
- Oversaw design, financing, and construction of Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers
- 2018 honoree, Best of Madison Business
Derek Johnson
March 7, 2024
6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Executive Committee, Council of Competitive Intelligence Fellows
- Co-author of The Missionary + The Mercenary
- Co-host of Running into the Fog podcast
Arik Johnson
March 7, 2024
6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Active member, Council of Competitive Intelligence Fellows
- Co-author of The Missionary + The Mercenary
- Co-host of Running into the Fog podcast
Peter Faricy
April 12, 2024
6:00–7:00 p.m.
- Transformed business to include innovative new partnerships with IKEA and General Motors
- Former CEO, Global Direct-to-Consumer for Discovery, Inc.
- Former VP of Amazon Marketplace
2022-2023 Academic Year Speakers
Eric Hansotia
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.
Joan Lamm-Tennant
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.
Cheryl Stallworth-Hooper
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
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
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).
Kathy Blumenfeld
Susan Chapman-Hughes
Kevin Conroy
William A. Davis
Ann Mukherjee
Thomas Perez
Marc S. Pritchard
Aaron S. Williams
