The Power of Human-Centered Design
On this year’s Day of the Badger, the UW is coming to you! Join UW leaders and fellow UW alumni in New York City to discover how our university is training future leaders to address complex societal issues through design. Alisa Robertson ’94, MBA’03, the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association’s new president and CEO, will share news about campus and how WFAA will be involved with supporting the university’s priorities. Then, you’ll enjoy a presentation and Q & A session with Trudy Watt, academic director for the School of Human Ecology’s new master of science in design and innovation program, who will discuss the interconnectedness between design, people, technology, culture, and social change.
Don’t miss this chance to gather with local Badgers for an evening of delicious hors d’oeuvres and exciting discussions about the developments coming out of our university!
Please register by April 3. A limited number of walk-ins will be accepted as capacity allows.
Speakers
Alisa Robertson ’94, MBA’03 is president and CEO of the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association, a role she assumed on January 1, 2025. Previously, she served as the organization’s president and chief advancement officer, and she has more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement. She joined WFAA as chief of staff in 2011 and became president in 2022. During her tenure, Alisa led the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s $4.2 billion All Ways Forward comprehensive campaign and has been instrumental in advancing key initiatives that elevate donor engagement and support for the university. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Alisa has also served as associate dean for external relations at the Wisconsin School of Business, where she led marketing, alumni relations, and annual giving.
Trudy Watt is the academic director for the master of science in design and innovation (MDI), a cutting-edge graduate program combining engineering, business, human ecology, user experience, and art. Her leadership and the success of the MDI program has catalyzed a new undergraduate major in design, innovation, and society in the School of Human Ecology’s Department of Design Studies. Her recent work as a practicing architect, design researcher, and educator focuses on applied compassion in design and cultivating programs that support transdisciplinary collaboration. Prior to joining UW–Madison, she taught at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, the University of Pennsylvania, Jefferson University, and Columbia GSAPP. She is the founder of and a collaborator at the Living Well Initiative and cohost of the podcast Tending Tomorrow.
Schedule of Events
| 6 p.m. | Doors open |
| 6:30 p.m. | Program followed by a Q & A |
| 7:30 p.m. | Reception |
| 9 p.m. | Event concludes |
Additional Information
When you register, please inform us of any dietary needs, accommodations (such as captions or interpreting services), or other needs.
Discount valet parking is available for $11 per car.
