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University of Wisconsin Foundation

1848 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, United States

Private, independent nonprofit fundraising and financial partner of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, established in 1945. The University of Wisconsin Foundation receives philanthropic gifts and manages and distributes gift and investment income for scholarships, campus facilities, research and other university priorities. In 2014 it merged with the Wisconsin Alumni Association to form the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA); the UW Foundation and alumni association are its divisions. Wisconsin Investment Management Company (WISIMCO) is the operational name of the Foundation’s investment division, overseeing its endowment investment portfolio and affiliated capital, rather than a separately identified venture fund. The Foundation is an explicitly named investor in Cortica’s October 2023 Series D extension, connecting it to neuroscience-informed care for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Its published leadership, board and investment committee govern philanthropic and investment stewardship; University faculty and WARF personnel are not presumed to be employees. The University, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), UW System Trust Funds and UW Medical Foundation are separate organizations.

Founded 1945

Team

Abigail CahakAbigail CahakChief Legal Officer
Alice MortensonAlice MortensonBoard Member
Alisa RobertsonAlisa RobertsonPresident and Chief Executive Officer
Ana Maria MurphyAna Maria MurphyDirector of Investment Operations (WISIMCO investment division)
Brad TankBrad TankBoard Member · Investment Committee Member (WISIMCO investment division)
Brenda PhebusBrenda PhebusChief Human Resources Officer
Carl LaurinoCarl LaurinoChief Financial Officer
Chris MooreChris MooreDeputy Chief Investment Officer (WISIMCO investment division)
Chris SalmBoard Member
Christine RotschChristine RotschBoard Member
Cynthia IhlenfeldCynthia IhlenfeldBoard Member
Dan TreuterDan TreuterVice President, Digital Experience and Innovation
Dana SerweDana SerweInvestment Office Chief of Staff (WISIMCO investment division)
David NicholasDavid NicholasBoard Member · Investment Committee Member (WISIMCO investment division)
David RosenbergBoard Member
Debbie CervenkaBoard Member
Elzie HigginbottomElzie HigginbottomBoard Member
Erik IversonErik IversonInvestment Committee Advisory Member (WISIMCO investment division)
Fran TaylorFran TaylorEx-Officio Board Member
Frank AceFrank AceVice President, Information Technology
Garrett GardnerGarrett GardnerDirector of Investment Operations (WISIMCO investment division)
Greg ElkinsGreg ElkinsManaging Director of Investments (WISIMCO investment division)
Greg SinaikoBoard Member
Jeffrey WiesnerJeffrey WiesnerEx-Officio Board Member
Jere FlunoEx-Officio Board Member
Jim KennedyJim KennedyChief Marketing and Communications Officer
Jim ThompsonJim ThompsonBoard Member
John OrosJohn OrosEx-Officio Board Member · Investment Committee Member (WISIMCO investment division)
Jun LeeBoard Member
Katherine WybleKatherine WybleManaging Director of Investments (WISIMCO investment division)
Kyle BuchmannKyle BuchmannSenior Vice President of Development
Linda AhlersBoard Member
Lorna NaglerLorna NaglerBoard Member
Louis HollandLouis HollandChair of the Board · Investment Committee Member (WISIMCO investment division)
Marianne SiessMarianne SiessChief Information Officer
Michael FerdmanMichael FerdmanBoard Member
Michael KnetterMichael KnetterInvestment Committee Advisory Member (WISIMCO investment division)
Michael ShannonMichael ShannonBoard Member · Investment Committee Member (WISIMCO investment division)
Michael StohlerMichael StohlerChief Investment Officer (WISIMCO investment division)
Michele BerniusMichele BerniusDirector of Investments (WISIMCO investment division)
Patty ShinnersBoard Member
Paul CollinsEx-Officio Board Member
Paul LeffPaul LeffInvestment Committee Advisory Member (WISIMCO investment division)
Paul ShainPaul ShainBoard Member
Rachel LionbergRachel LionbergSenior Vice President of Development
Rajiv BatraRajiv BatraBoard Member
Richard ShepleyRichard ShepleySenior Managing Director of Investments (WISIMCO investment division)
Roger MansukhaniRoger MansukhaniBoard Member
Samir MurtyBoard Member
Sandy SponemSandy SponemBoard Member
Sarah SchuttSarah SchuttChief Alumni Engagement Officer and Executive Director, Wisconsin Alumni Association
Sean ArpSean ArpChief Operating Officer of Investments (WISIMCO investment division)
Sonnet EdmondsSonnet EdmondsBoard Member
Stephen PetersenStephen PetersenInvestment Committee Advisory Member (WISIMCO investment division)
Susan PattersonSusan PattersonBoard Member
Suzanne DeWolfSuzanne DeWolfBoard Member
Ted KellnerTed KellnerEx-Officio Board Member · Investment Committee Member (WISIMCO investment division)
Thomas StevensThomas StevensBoard Member · Investment Committee Chair (WISIMCO investment division)
Todd PulvinoTodd PulvinoVice Chair of the Board · Investment Committee Member (WISIMCO investment division)
Travis AceTravis AceDirector of Investment Operations (WISIMCO investment division)

Investments