Our Mission
Women in Business at the University of Wisconsin–Madison empowers members through a community built on inclusion, mentorship, and collaboration. We develop well‑rounded leaders by fostering personal and professional growth and creating spaces where every member can learn, lead, and thrive.
Our Values
Growth
We embrace every experience as an opportunity to learn, develop, and become more confident leaders, professionals, and individuals.
Growth is at the heart of why WIB exists. We recognize that every member joins with different experiences, backgrounds, and career goals, and our purpose is not to find students who already have everything figured out, it is to help them grow.
Growth means embracing challenges, actively seeking feedback, learning from setbacks, and continuously striving to become a better version of yourself. We believe leadership, confidence, and professionalism are developed through experience, not expected on day one.
Growth also reflects WIB's commitment to continually evolving as an organization. We regularly assess our programs, events, and initiatives to ensure we are meeting the changing needs of our members.
Community
We build meaningful relationships by creating a supportive, collaborative, and connected community where members can learn from and encourage one another.
Community is what makes WIB different from simply attending networking events or professional workshops.
We believe organizational success is built through relationships. By bringing together students with different academic backgrounds, experiences, and career aspirations, WIB creates a community where members learn from perspectives beyond their own while building meaningful, lasting connections. Whether members are attending meetings, participating in mentorship, serving on leadership teams, or connecting with alumni, WIB is committed to fostering an environment where people genuinely support one another.
Community means celebrating one another's successes, offering help during challenges, and recognizing that everyone's contributions strengthen the organization.
Inclusion
We intentionally create an environment where every member feels welcomed, respected, valued, and empowered to contribute.
Inclusion is more than welcoming people into the room – it is ensuring every member feels they belong once they arrive.
We recognize that every member brings unique experiences, perspectives, identities, and aspirations. These differences strengthen our organization by encouraging broader thinking, deeper conversations, and more creative solutions.
Inclusion requires intentional action. We strive to ensure that every member feels heard, respected, and supported regardless of their background.
Impact
We recognize that every member has the ability to make a meaningful difference by contributing to the success, growth, and future of our organization.
Impact is about understanding that leadership is not defined by a title, but by the positive influence we have on others.
Whether mentoring a new member, contributing ideas, leading discussions, stepping into a formal leadership role, supporting a teammate, or simply making someone feel welcomed, every member has the opportunity to shape the experiences of those around them.
Impact means actively engaging in the organization, taking ownership of your experience, and using your strengths to leave Women in Business stronger than you found it.
Excellence
We pursue excellence by acting with professionalism, integrity, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Excellence is not about perfection, it is about consistently striving to do our best and holding ourselves to a high standard.
We recognize that excellence is reflected not only in the outcomes we achieve, but also in the effort, preparation, and mindset we bring to every experience. Whether attending an event, completing a leadership responsibility, communicating with others, or representing WIB, we strive to approach each opportunity with professionalism and purpose.
Excellence means being prepared, following through on commitments, respecting others' time, and continually looking for ways to improve ourselves and the organization.
What We Offer
Women in Business operates on a points based membership system. To retain active membership, members must meet semesterly point requirements to continue their access to the great events our organization offers. Below is a quick glimpse at some of the fun events we offer each semester!
WIB Wednesday company speakers
WIB Wednesdays are our signature events where we bring in inspiring female leaders from major companies to give advice and guidance to our members. These meetings include an overview of the guest company and their job opportunities, a chance for Q&A, and often times and interactive professional development activity. There is also always time for networking following the event, where some members have even made connections that led to job opportunities.
Professional development
WIB offers many professional development opportunities throughout the semester for members to grow their business skills. Our opportunities have ranged from mock interviews and resume editing, to golf lessons and business attire fashion shows. We strive to offer members a range of valuable opportunities that will strengthen their ability to shine in the in the business world.
SOCIALS
While WIB is first and foremost a professional organization, our members like to bond outside of the business school with fun social events. Growing strong personal connections is important for our members, as many are close friends outside of WIB. Activities like painting classes, ice skating, game nights, and workout classes have helped our members destress from schoolwork and grow strong personal bonds.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
As the newest branch of WIB, diversity, equity and inclusion strives to not only increase diversity within our organization, but also ensure members are educated on the importance and impact of DEI. This branch works towards providing meaningful opportunities for our members to learn more about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and on campus as well as how they can incorporate these practices into their daily lives.
Mentorship
Our Internal Mentorship program connects new members with a returning member of WIB. To promote bonding, mentor/mentee pairs participate in a couple of fun mentorship events each semester.
Trip
Each semester, WIB embarks on a professional development trip to a new city to give members the opportunity to explore new companies and industries they may not have previously considered. Past trips have been to Austin, New York City, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, and more! These trips have also helped connect members to companies that do not typically recruit from UW, like Kendra Scott, Inspire Brands, YETI Coolers, and more!
BANQUET
Banquets are the perfect way to close out a successful semester in style! It's a night to bid farewell to our graduating seniors while enjoying delicious food and great company. These events are the perfect occasion to celebrate our organization and reflect on the memories we've made throughout the semester.
WIB WELCOME
WIB Welcome is a great opportunity for new members to jump right into the WIB community! This event is specifically designed for new members to meet and chat with existing members, allowing them to get to know other members, build relationships within the organization, and ask any questions.
Professional BRANDING BOOTCAMP
The PBB is designed to help new members build their personal brand by providing them with invaluable skills and knowledge. New members will learn how to leverage LinkedIn and other sites to showcase their professional achievements and build their network. They'll also gain valuable insights on how to refine their resumes, as well as how to develop strong interviewing skills.
A Note From Our President
Hello! My name is Emma Hatch, and I am honored to serve as the 2025–2026 President of Women in Business. Whether you’re a prospective member, a returning leader, an alumna, or a community partner, thank you for taking the time to learn more about who we are and what we stand for.
Women in Business exists to empower the next generation of female leaders through professional development, community engagement, and meaningful connection. This organization has been a cornerstone of my UW–Madison experience for the past six semesters, and it has shaped not only my career path but also the way I lead, collaborate, and give back.
I am thrilled to work alongside a powerhouse team of 30+ student leaders who are as ambitious, accomplished, and driven as they are compassionate and community-minded. Our members go on to do incredible things and they carry with them the values of confidence, curiosity, and collaboration that define WIB.
One of my key goals this year is to deepen our impact beyond campus. That includes continuing traditions like the annual WIB Gala, and launching new initiatives like a branding bootcamp for high school students, designed to equip future leaders with tools to help them succeed.
If you’re interested in joining us, partnering with us, or supporting our mission, we’d love to hear from you. We welcome every opportunity to broaden our influence and create meaningful change.