The Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) Alumni Advisory Council provides advice and support to the Wisconsin Alumni Association, collectively working to advance the mission of the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association. The council celebrates the value and achievements of the alumni network and works to build pride and engage the alumni community. The members of the WAA Alumni Advisory Council act as informed champions for alumni interests and for WAA in promoting the welfare of the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Meet the Council
Leadership
Katie Hepler ’07
Chair
BA journalism and French
Excelsior, MN
Shaun Aukland ’10
Vice Chair
BA communication arts
San Franscisco, CA
Ben Havn ’99, MBA’04
Past Chair
BS economics and political science, MBA investment and banking
Maple Grove, MN
Members
Miriah Albouras ’12
BA Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian studies
Madison, WI
Alyssa Birkeland ‘20
BBA in Management & Human Resources and Political Science
Milwaukee, WI
Sara Browne
WASB Vice President
Madison, WI
Eric Buss ’90, JD’96
BBA investment and banking, and accounting
Minneapolis, MN
Jemmy Chayadi ’00
BS mechanical engineering
Jakarta, Indonesia
Erin Elliott Kazik ’03
MS life sciences communication
De Pere, WI
Purnita Fields JD’11
Washington, DC
Dave Florin ’92
BA international relations
Middleton, WI
Mark Guthier
Associate Vice Chancellor and Executive Director of Wisconsin Union
Madison, WI
Ali Khaleel ’15
BS secondary education
Atlanta, GA
Ian Koszewski ’07
BS english and neurobiology
Madison, WI
Rob Kozich ’96
BA french
Prague, Czech Republic
Jack Lindenberg ’19
BBA human resources management
Chicago, IL
Amanda Manteufel ’01
BS civil engineering
Appleton, WI
Cindy Mason ’00
BBA accounting
Williams Bay, WI
Jay Makowski MBA’18
MBA general management
Hartland, WI
John Mills ’85
BBA Marketing
Palos Verdes Estates, CA
Michael Morgan ’78, JD’84
BA communication arts
Milwaukee, WI
Aubrey Nigh ’19
BS food science
Chicago, IL
Jeff Powers ’92
BBA marketing
Brooklyn, NY
Jelani Perez ’17
BS rehabilitation psychology
Brooklyn, NY
Erin Ryan ’07, MS’09
BA journalism and communication arts, MS educational leadership and policy analysis
Sun Prairie, WI
Amy Salinas Westmoreland ’06
BA women’s studies, BA english
Bellingham, WA
Nancy Schanke ’76
BS occupational therapy
Fremont, WI
Patty Shinners ’88, MS’93
BS nursing, MS nursing
Antigo, WI
Anna Staresinic
WASB President
Madison, WI
Kris Theiler ’88
BS industrial engineering
Long Beach, CA
Ryan Tobiasz ’02
BS behavioral science & law and psychology
Chicago, IL
LéAndrea Vernon ’06, MA’14
BA psychology, women’s studies
MS educational leadership and administration
Pensacola, FL
Walter Williams ’13, MS’16
BS rehabilitation psychology, MS rehabilitation psychology
Avondale, AZ
Serving on the WAA Alumni Advisory Council
Role of the Council
The Wisconsin Alumni Association Alumni Advisory Council comprises committed and enthusiastic alumni who volunteer their counsel, ambassadorship, and insights to make possible the widespread activity and impact of the Wisconsin Alumni Association.
The council has two roles. The first is to serve as a liaison between WAA’s executive leadership and the greater UW alumni community. In fulfilling this mission, the council welcomes alumni feedback, input, and advice on engagement and advancement initiatives.
The second role is that of leadership. Council members lead alumni advocacy efforts on behalf of WAA and the university. They also exemplify leadership as ambassadors of the university and as stewards of WAA. In addition, members encourage fellow alumni to advance their alma mater through participation in WAA events and fundraising.
Through their efforts, council members encourage engagement, outreach, grassroots support, and lifelong commitment and involvement among UW–Madison’s nearly 450,000 alumni.
How Members Are Selected
WAA Alumni Advisory Council advisers reflect the community of UW–Madison alumni in geography, age, ethnicity, university involvement, areas of expertise, and academic and professional fields. This diverse and expert set of members is selected based on a variety of criteria, including their experience and interest in matters related to alumni relations, WAA, and the university.
The WAA Alumni Advisory Council Nominating Committee conducts an annual nomination and selection process with broad input from current and past council members, Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association staff, campus, and alumni at large. Selections for open positions are made by April 1 each year for a three-year term, which begins July 1.
Contact Us
To provide input, ask questions, or just to get in touch, contact the council at AdvisoryCouncil@uwalumni.com.