WSB Invests in AI Research and Education
WSB continues to make investments in the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence. Matt Seitz, a 13-year Google veteran, was named director of the school’s new AI Hub for Business. The hub’s mission is to help WSB navigate and lead this technological shift by offering AI expertise, spearheading projects and events to accelerate AI adoption, and collaborating with industry partners on cutting-edge innovation.
The school is also embracing AI across its teaching and learning— and encouraging students to experiment in the classroom. “You will not find AI tools being forbidden in very many classes at the business school,” says Katie Gaertner, a business analytics lecturer at WSB. “We understand that this is a transformative opportunity, and our students need to be familiar with this technology and they need to have encountered it before they enter the workforce.”
WSB Celebrates Successful Day of Giving
Alumni, parents, and friends came together on April 8–9 to support the Wisconsin School of Business on Day of the Badger, UW–Madison’s annual giving tradition.
San Francisco Event Highlights Innovation and Learning Through Failure
In February, alumni and friends gathered in San Francisco for WSB in the Bay Area: A Conversation on Innovation, Starting Up, and Starting Over. During the event, an esteemed lineup of entrepreneurs and leaders discussed innovation, learning through failure, and pushing forward amid adversity. Alum and venture capitalist Sean Jacobsohn (BBA ’94) was also presented with the WSB Impact Award by Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy, WSB’s Albert O. Nicholas Dean, for his demonstrated service to the school.
Alumni Board Chair Shares Impact of WBA Board
The Wisconsin Business Alumni (WBA) Board consists of over 30 dedicated members who work to strengthen the relationship between WSB and its more than 49,000 alumni. Alumni board chair Amy Jo Pedone (BBA ’96) provides insight on the board’s mission, impact, and how new initiatives are enhancing the alumni experience.
How is the board increasing engagement with the alumni network?
AP: We are developing a comprehensive platform to build community not only for Business Badgers, but for Badgers in business. The WBA Board’s goal is to curate regional, industry-specific, and young alumni connections by collaborating with alumni experts and WSB. The board works to foster engagement through in-person events, company alumni networks, social media content, and more. With the support and directives of WSB’s Alumni Relations team, board members represent applicable regions and industries to champion this new approach to engagement.
What are the current areas of focus for the board?
AP: From a regional perspective, we are focused on high density and fast-growing alumni regions where we can best support corporate Badger networks, build ambassadorship initiatives, and pilot industry events. From an industry perspective, we are cultivating connections to collaborate with Badgers in consulting, entrepreneurship, finance, and tech, as well as applicable WSB centers and student organizations.
Engagement of young alumni is a special area of focus, with the goal of strengthening the transition period from student to alumnihood by helping to implement BOLD (Badgers of the Last Decade) Circles regionally. These invaluable local groups are designed to foster young alumni connections with the Business Badger network and grow involvement with WSB.
What advice would you share with WSB alumni on getting involved with the school and the Business Badger network?
AP: We are an ever-growing engine of leaders and connectors who all bleed Badger red! Take advantage of this powerful network by making connections at your company, welcoming young alumni to your city, and joining the official Wisconsin Business Alumni LinkedIn group.
Do you have a Badger network within your company? If so, we want to hear about it! Please email the WBA Board at alumni@wsb.wisc.edu.