UW-Madison Women in Business

Earlier this month, we welcomed an inspiring group of professionals from KPMG US for our fourth WIB Wednesday event of the semester! Shannon Dorans, CPA, Sarah Kaderavek, Rachel Janzer, CPA, Chandler Whitney, and Jason Parsons shared incredible insights on how KPMG leverages technology to stay ahead in an ever-evolving landscape. From innovative tools to the ways KPMG adapts to tech advancements, they highlighted the critical role technology plays in shaping and elevating their work. ?? ??Our speakers not only shared their personal career journeys but also delved into KPMG's strategy in adapting to the rapid rise of technology. Hearing their unique perspectives gave us a deeper understanding of what it takes to excel at the intersection of business and technology, showcasing the adaptability and forward-thinking approaches driving KPMG's success. ??Thank you to KPMG for giving us such an eye-opening view into how tech is transforming professional services. And thank you to all the WIB members who joined us and engaged with curiosity and passion.

We had the pleasure of hosting an inspiring panel for our third WIB Wednesday featuring Carly Marx, Kelsey Groth, and Sydni Reubin from Sherwin-Williams!? ?? Our speakers shared their diverse journeys at Sherwin-Williams, offering valuable insights on navigating a career in sales as women in the field. They opened up about overcoming challenges and highlighted the importance of resilience and adaptability. Carly, with six years of experience, emphasized how her time as an intern set her up for long-term growth. The discussion also touched on the power of mentorship and the value of asking questions in male-dominated spaces. ?? Thank you to Sherwin-Williams for the engaging and empowering conversation on sales, leadership, and creating opportunities for women to thrive!

As we close out this years Latine Heritage Month, we’re thrilled to recognize our amazing advisor, Natalie Arriaga de Brooks, MS, who was recently named one of Wisconsin's most influential Latino leaders! Her dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion has made a lasting impact on the Wisconsin School of Business and the broader community. ????As the Assistant Director of the WSB Multicultural Center, Natalie plays a pivotal role in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for students. Her passion for empowering others is reflected in everything she does, from mentorship to advocacy. She is a constant source of inspiration and guidance for our members. Her commitment to lifting up underrepresented voices and creating a more inclusive community is truly invaluable. ??We are incredibly proud to have Natalie as our advisor and celebrate her as a leader and advocate in the WSB and beyond. Thank you, Natalie, for your continued dedication and for being a role model to so many!

We recently had the pleasure of hosting an inspiring panel for our second WIB Wednesday with US Bank featuring Amanda Rose B., Felicity Allen, Veronica Taylor, Sophia Slaugenhoup, and Kara Weigend!? ??Our speakers shared invaluable insights on navigating the banking industry—whether or not you majored in finance. Amanda, who’s been with US Bank for 18 years, reminded us that starting from the bottom, as she did as a teller, can lead to incredible growth. The panel also touched on overcoming imposter syndrome in a male-dominated field, highlighting that perfection isn’t expected—just the willingness to learn and ask questions. ??Thank you to US Bank for the engaging discussion on banking, leadership, and building a culture that values collaboration and growth!

This week, we kicked off our first WIB Wednesday with General Mills! We explored the rich history of the company and learned about the variety of departments and roles that drive its success, including Sourcing & Supply Chain, Finance, and Digital & Technology. ?? ??The speakers gave us an insightful look into the inner workings of a global leader in the food industry. It was fascinating to learn more about General Mills' incredible history, its commitment to innovation, and its mission to make food the world loves. We also appreciated hearing about the company's dedication to fostering an inclusive environment for its employees. ??A big thank you to our General Mills speakers James A. Elkin III, Abrham Desta, Kelly Lamb, Caroline Davidson, Hassan Sajjad, Luke Landin, Bailey Conradt, Kristen K. Juve, and Neeshan Khanikar for joining us this past Wednesday. ??Also, a special thanks to Lena Parhar and Olivia Hernandez for organizing an amazing first WIB Wednesday of the semester!

Recapping?a lively week at Hive HQ! From delicious pizza to insightful panels and brand-new swag, there's never a dull moment here. ?? ?? Hive HQ turned into a pizza paradise earlier this week to celebrate the birthday of our COO, Doug Pierce! ?? From homemade slices crafted by Doug to team bonding, it was a day to remember. Happy birthday to our pizza connoisseur! ?? On Tuesday, our Head of Client Strategy, Claire Schulz, had a fantastic time with the UW-Madison Women in Business organization at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.?Huge thanks?to Ava Foos, Mia Juneja, and Rishika Gudise for the?wonderful?collaboration!? ?? The hellohive team hosted a panel discussion at New York University featuring industry leaders from our finance partners and the NYU Economics Society! Keep an eye on our socials for upcoming photos and event details. ?? New swag alert! Hive HQ just received our highly anticipated hellohive socks, featuring our sleek brand design. A huge shoutout to John's Crazy Socks for their exceptional service, and special thanks to our friend Dr. Rodrigo Castilleja for the awesome recommendation! ???

On Wednesday, we ended our WIB Wednesday series with Procter & Gamble about their global leadership in innovation, sustainability, and social justice in the consumer product market ?? ?? We kicked off the event with the impact of P&G across the world, learning that P&G touches the lives of over 5 billion individuals, making sales of over 85 billion annually. Our members were then able to play a trivia game about P&G’s products and alumni, earning P&G prizes! ?? ?? We learned about the continuous impact that P&G is making in different sectors such as innovation in sustainability and social injustice through thought provoking marketing campaigns by P&G ?? ?? Thank you to Ramya Pentakota and Nora Burgener for coming out to Madison to speak with our members more about the P&G mission and opportunities for professional development. ?? An additional thank you to our SVP of Corporate Relations Carly Lois for a successful semester of WIB Wednesdays!

Sprig had an inspiring time connecting with the impressive young women of the UW-Madison Women in Business organization, alongside our colleagues from Kohler Co. Kitchen & Bath. During the session, presenters dove into Kohler's rich 150-year history, our core values, and our commitment to sustainable living, including our ambitious Net Zero by 2035 mission. They also provided insights into the diverse array of projects our team tackles, offering students glimpses into real-world career paths across various business sectors. The feedback from the students was fantastic, and as a women-led brand within Kohler's portfolio, we're excited about the possibilities for collaboration and growth. #collegevisits #uwmadison #networking #womeninbusiness

On Thursday and Friday, 14 of our members traveled on a business trek to Chicago, IL! During their trip, they were able to meet and speak with representatives at Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, PwC, United Airlines, and McDonald's ?? ?? We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to speak with empowering women industry leaders and further our professional development through this business trek. ?? At the Federal Reserve, our attendees were able to be the first ever student group to be invited inside for an interactive panel discussion. ?? At PwC, we were able to connect with UW-Madison alumni and speak about their Chicago work life and experiences leading up to their work at PwC. ?? At United Airlines, we were able to participate in a panel of UImpact business resource group speakers about their career paths and experiences in working and leading teams. ?? Finally, at McDonalds, not only were we able to try their global menu, the PR team gave an in-depth presentation on successful campaigns such as Grimace's Birthday and the 1 in 8 campaign. ???? Thank you to our wonderful trip directors Emma Hatch and Syd Bue as well as our VP and SVP of corporate relations Lena Parhar and Carly Lois for providing our members such a great opportunity by organizing this trip ??

As of last Tuesday, we’re excited to announce the successful completion of this semester’s internal mentorship program! ?? Our internal mentorship program connects returning members of WIB with new members to promote bonding through the pairing of mentor/mentees that participate in a couple of fun mentorship events each semester???♀? ?? This semester, our internal mentorship program hosted a total of four events including Speed-Dating, Escape Grainger, Scheduling & Cookie Decorating, and NewlyWIBS! ?? ?? A special thanks to mentorship directors Clare Plummer and Payton Radtke as well as VP of internal relations SAGE PERALEZ for organizing and coordinating the mentorship program and events for this semester, as well as all of our mentors for participating!