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
Purnita Fields JD’11
Chair
Washington, DC
Ben Havn ’99, MBA’04
Vice Chair
BS economics and political science, MBA investment and banking
Minnesota
Patty Shinners ’88, MS’93
Past Chair
BS nursing, MS nursing
Wisconsin
Members
Miriah Albouras ’12
BA Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian studies
Wisconsin
James Amaro JD’02
Texas
Shaun Aukland ’10
BA communication arts
California
Gracie Brandt-Fontaine
Minnesota
Eric Buss ’90, JD’96
BBA investment and banking, and accounting
Minnesota
Jemmy Chayadi ’00
BS mechanical engineering
Indonesia
Dave Florin ’92
BA international relations
Wisconsin
Brian Frohna ’83, MD’88
BS zoology
Arizona
Mark Guthier
Wisconsin
Katie Hepler ’07
BA journalism and French
Minnesota
Charlie Hoslet JD’89
Wisconsin
Jasmine Kennedy ’18
BBA marketing and human resources management
New York
Ali Khaleel ’15
BS secondary education
Illinois
Rob Kozich ’96
BA french
Czech Republic
Jack Lindenberg ’19
BBA human resources management
Wisconsin
Cindy Mason ’00
BBA accounting
Wisconsin
Jay Makowski MBA’18
MBA general management
Wisconsin
John Mills ’85
BBA Marketing
California
Michael Morgan ’78, JD’84
BA communication arts
Wisconsin
Aubrey Nigh ’19
BS food science
Illinois
Richard Qian ’10
BA mathematics and economics
New Jersey
Erin Ryan ’07, MS’09
BA journalism and communication arts, MS educational leadership and policy analysis
Oregon
Amy Salinas Westmoreland ’06
BA women’s studies, BA english
Washington
Nancy Schanke ’76
BS occupational therapy
Wisconsin
Joe Sholler ’90
Past Chair
BA international relations and political science
New Jersey
Kris Theiler ’88
BS industrial engineering
California
LéAndrea Vernon ’06, MA’14
BA psychology, women’s studies
MS educational leadership and administration
Florida
Jackson Walker
California
Lynn Watkins-Asiyanbi ’96
BS chemical engineering and economics
Illinois
Walter Williams ’13, MS’16
BS rehabilitation psychology, MS rehabilitation psychology
Wisconsin
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.