The Wisconsin School of Business External Advisory Board (EAB) has welcomed five new members to its ranks for the 2023-2024 term. Additionally, returning EAB member Carrianne Basler (BBA ’91), managing director of AlixPartners, has been named board chair.
The EAB, reconstituted in 2020, is comprised of more than 30 business leaders and WSB alumni. Members play a critical role in advancing the reputation and reach of the school, shaping WSB’s strategic direction and operational priorities, and serving as ambassadors and philanthropists within the business community and alumni network.
“It has been gratifying to see the Wisconsin School of Business continue to have such a positive impact on students,” says Basler, who previously served as the board’s vice chair. “One area that I’m hoping to focus on in the coming year is increasing awareness in the broader business community of the world-class programs we have at WSB. While we are often modest about our highly ranked programs, like real estate or risk and insurance, there’s great potential to increase awareness of these offerings—and our talented students.”
EAB members serve at the invitation of Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy, Albert O. Nicholas Dean of the Wisconsin School of Business. Terms run for two years and can be renewed once.
The opportunity to give back to WSB—while working directly alongside school leadership—is what attracted new member Tim Harkness (BBA ’89) to the board.
“The Wisconsin School of Business gave me the perfect foundation to build my entrepreneurial career,” says Harkness, founder and CEO of Unchained Labs. “I reengaged directly with the school a few years ago through the Venture Fund program, which let me see Dean Samba in action. I was blown away by his approach and leadership. I love to support people who have vision and can get things done and I couldn’t be happier to help him fulfill his vision for the school.”
With the new board members in place, Basler says she looks forward to building upon past initiatives and priorities that the EAB has championed—including a focus on supporting underrepresented students—that have resulted in better learning opportunities and career outcomes.
“Employers have limited recruiting resources, and they want to draw from a school that has not only fantastic programs, but a well-rounded set of potential applicants,” says Basler.
The five new EAB members this year include:
• Talicia Bashford, president, Assured Partners
• David Eisenberg, chief strategy officer, LiveRamp
• Tim Harkness, CEO and founder, Unchained Labs
• Darryl Lewis, partner, Banneker Partners
• Singari Seshadri, head of portfolio, Nike Valiant Labs
View the full External Advisory Board roster.