Elizabeth Knox Oates MBA’06 Leading Beauty into the Future
- May. 05, 2023

Elizabeth Knox Oates MBA’06 has been promoted to vice president, consumer insights at Ulta Beauty. Oates has been leading Ulta Beauty to navigate the ever-changing consumer environment since 2019. Over the past four years, her work has guided the organization to remain consumer-centric in times of great retail change, connecting consumer needs with company strategy. In her elevated role, Oates will build an even deeper enterprise-wide understanding of the consumer landscape, as well as identify opportunities for brand growth. Oates continues to lean on her Wisconsin MBA, as well as share back with current students having guest-lectured in the Wisconsin School of Business for the past five years. A firm believer in the need to humanize retail, Oates has also taken her perspective on consumer-centricity to the world stage at the World Retail Congress.
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Matthew Becker ’96 is CEO of the Zambian Carnivore Programme, which is now one of the largest and longest-running programs of its kind. Matt is a wildlife ecologist and was named CEO in 2008. He oversees research, conservation, and education effo...
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...
Paula Glocke Spindler ’95 was recently promoted to assistant vice president of brand management at Sentry Insurance in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Paula received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the UW.
Matthew Becker ’96 is CEO of the Zambian Carnivore Programme, which is now one of the largest and longest-running programs of its kind. Matt is a wildlife ecologist and was named CEO in 2008. He oversees research, conservation, and education effo...