Steve Braun Recognized for His Years of Community Service
- Apr. 14, 2022

For the fourth time, Steve Braun ’83, a Northwestern Mutual wealth management advisor in Chicago, has been recognized by the company as a 2022 Community Service Award winner. Braun has been a board member and active supporter of Cures Within Reach and, as part of the Community Service Award, donated $15,000 to the Chicago-based nonprofit. He previously received the award from Northwestern Mutual in 2011, 2015, and 2019.
Cures Within Reach catalyzes the testing of approved therapies for new indications across the U.S. and beyond. Locally, it’s working to improve health disparities by funding Chicago-based clinical trials for diseases that impact racial/ethnic minority communities.
In 2009, Cures Within Reach funded Drs. Kaczmarek and Danilov at UW–Madison to repurpose the Portable NeuroStimulator (PoNS) to help multiple sclerosis patients regain function. This medical device, previously used to treat balance disorders, is now FDA-approved.
More Alumni Notes
Robert Alan Cook MS’61 — a.k.a. Bob, Uncle Bob, UB, or Yoo-Bee — died peacefully in the presence of loved ones in his home in Palo Alto, CA, on Friday, June 27, 2025, at the time — appropriately for a mathematician – of 3:14:15 p.m. at the age of ...
Michael Staudenmaier Jr. ’91, MS ’93 provided the initial vision and leadership for developing the award-winning HeatRisk tool, managing resources and his team’s expertise to achieve success. He also was instrumental in expanding the tool national...
John Kromer MS’10, MA’11 was named a fellow of the Special Libraries Association. At UW–Madison, he earned a master of science in chemistry and a master of arts in library and information studies.
Jeff Maskalunas ’18, MS’20 started ultimate frisbee programing at local Boys & Girls Clubs in the Capital Region, New York, two years ago. He recently won a grant through the USA Ultimate Foundation to continue this volunteer work.
Elmer Clemans Beale, who was a student at UW–Madison passed away on May 7, 2025, in Little Falls, MN due to an accident. He survived a massive stroke in 2021 and spent his remaining years at home enjoying the company of his family and dogs. A cele...
Robert Alan Cook MS’61 — a.k.a. Bob, Uncle Bob, UB, or Yoo-Bee — died peacefully in the presence of loved ones in his home in Palo Alto, CA, on Friday, June 27, 2025, at the time — appropriately for a mathematician – of 3:14:15 p.m. at the age of ...
Michael Staudenmaier Jr. ’91, MS ’93 provided the initial vision and leadership for developing the award-winning HeatRisk tool, managing resources and his team’s expertise to achieve success. He also was instrumental in expanding the tool national...
John Kromer MS’10, MA’11 was named a fellow of the Special Libraries Association. At UW–Madison, he earned a master of science in chemistry and a master of arts in library and information studies.
Jeff Maskalunas ’18, MS’20 started ultimate frisbee programing at local Boys & Girls Clubs in the Capital Region, New York, two years ago. He recently won a grant through the USA Ultimate Foundation to continue this volunteer work.
Elmer Clemans Beale, who was a student at UW–Madison passed away on May 7, 2025, in Little Falls, MN due to an accident. He survived a massive stroke in 2021 and spent his remaining years at home enjoying the company of his family and dogs. A cele...
Robert Alan Cook MS’61 — a.k.a. Bob, Uncle Bob, UB, or Yoo-Bee — died peacefully in the presence of loved ones in his home in Palo Alto, CA, on Friday, June 27, 2025, at the time — appropriately for a mathematician – of 3:14:15 p.m. at the age of ...
Michael Staudenmaier Jr. ’91, MS ’93 provided the initial vision and leadership for developing the award-winning HeatRisk tool, managing resources and his team’s expertise to achieve success. He also was instrumental in expanding the tool national...
John Kromer MS’10, MA’11 was named a fellow of the Special Libraries Association. At UW–Madison, he earned a master of science in chemistry and a master of arts in library and information studies.
Jeff Maskalunas ’18, MS’20 started ultimate frisbee programing at local Boys & Girls Clubs in the Capital Region, New York, two years ago. He recently won a grant through the USA Ultimate Foundation to continue this volunteer work.
Elmer Clemans Beale, who was a student at UW–Madison passed away on May 7, 2025, in Little Falls, MN due to an accident. He survived a massive stroke in 2021 and spent his remaining years at home enjoying the company of his family and dogs. A cele...