Profiles

Richelle Martin manages the Winnow Fund, a pooled investment fund designed to back startups incubated in Wisconsin universities.

Wendy Baumann leads the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp., which supports women, people of color and low-wealth individuals.

The longest-serving governor in Wisconsin state history, Tommy Thompson also holds the record for being the only politician to be elected to that office four times.

John Neis has been with Madison-based Venture Investors since 1985, becoming its managing director in 1997.

John Stollenwerk is credited with building Port Washington-based shoe manufacturer and retailer Allen Edmonds Shoe Corp. into the upscale men’s footwear brand it’s now recognized as

A retired high-profile executive and community leader, Thelma Sias spent three decades with We Energies, where she ultimately led its community engagement efforts.

Lifelong Milwaukee resident Allan H. “Bud” Selig led Major League Baseball from 1992 until his retirement in 2015.

Health care administrator Catherine Jacobson leads Wauwatosa-based Froedtert Health, one of the state’s largest private employer.

Mark Bugher served as director of University of Wisconsin-Madison’s University Research Park from 1999 until his retirement in 2013. Bugher is credited with helping develop the park into a hub for early-stage, growth-oriented businesses in the engineering, computational and life sciences sectors.

Carrie Thome leads NVNG Investment Advisors, a Madison-based firm that works to connect corporate and institutional investors with venture opportunities.