Don Layden, a partner in Quarles & Brady LLC’s Milwaukee office, has been elected chair of Alverno College’s board of trustees, the college announced on Tuesday.
Layden, also operating partner for Baird Venture Partners and Baird Capital Partners, joined Alverno’s board of trustees in 1997 and recently co-chaired the college’s “Promise & Power” capital campaign. The fundraising effort collected more than $30 million to support a dramatic campus renovation project.
“Don has demonstrated great leadership on the board over the years,” Mary Meehan, Ph.D., college president, said in a statement. “He understands the value of an Alverno education, and his dedication to our mission is second to none. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that we can continue to serve our students for years to come.”
Layden launched his career as a partner at Quarles & Brady before transitioning into senior management positions at Metavante, Marshall & Ilsley Corporation, and Fiserv. He also served as president of NuEdge Systems before returning to Metavante in 2004 upon an acquisition.
Layden will succeed board chair Marybeth Berkes, who has fulfilled a three-year term at the Milwaukee school. Berkes will continue to serve on the board of trustees.
Beside Layden, Jean Maier has been appointed vice chair of Alverno’s board of trustees. Maier, who has served the board for the past six years, has chaired the college’s Advocacy Task Force.
Maier, whose career included 34 years in leadership functions, retired from her position as executive vice president of enterprise operations and technology at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance and Financial Services in 2014.
Additionally, Alverno has selected Allen Leverett, president of Wisconsin Energy Corporation, to serve as treasurer of the board of trustees. Leverett joined the board in 2011.
