Two Business Badgers working at the intersection of business and technology are among the winners of the 2023 Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) awards.
Jon Fasoli (BBA ’09) is the recipient of a Forward Award for his outstanding exemplification of the Wisconsin Idea, while Jay Laabs (BBA ’98) received a Luminary Award for his accomplishments in the areas of leadership, discovery, progress, and service.
“Both Jon and Jay are shining examples of our alumni using their business education and talent for the greater good,” says Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy, Albert O. Nicholas Dean of the Wisconsin School of Business. “We’re incredibly proud of all they’ve achieved in their remarkable business careers, but we’re even prouder about the impact their work has had on countless individuals across the world.”
Fasoli, who was named to WSB’s annual “8 to Watch” list in Update magazine in 2021, is the chief product and design officer at Intuit Mailchimp. Described as a “champion of small business and the self-employed” by WAA, Fasoli was specifically recognized for his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic to connect small-business owners with Paycheck Protection Program loans and other federal relief funding. This work resulted in thousands of small businesses being able to keep the lights on—and keep their employees on the payroll.
Read more about Fasoli and the Forward Award.
Meanwhile, Laabs was one of seven UW–Madison alumni recognized with an inaugural Luminary Award from WAA. Laabs is the founder and CEO of Spaulding Ridge, a global business-technology consultancy focused on cloud computing solutions. Under Laabs’ leadership—and his company’s commitment to volunteer service, inclusion, and creating personal connections—Spaulding Ridge has been named as one of the top workplaces in the consulting industry.
In addition to his leadership of Spaulding Ridge, Laabs serves on WSB’s External Advisory Board (EAB), which works to enhance the reach and reputation of the school. EAB members like Laabs have also boosted post-graduation placement for WSB students by creating opportunities in emerging sectors, including technology and consulting.
Read more about Laabs and the Luminary Award.
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