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The Women in Business Council (WIBC), begun in 1993, serves as a link between the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business and the women in the business community. The Council's membership is drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds and organizations from throughout the state and currently includes members from: the University of Wisconsin; state government; large companies such as Oscar Mayer Foods and American Family Insurance; small companies; and women-owned businesses.

In addition to functioning as an informal advisory group to the Dean of the UW Business School, WIBC provides scholarships for graduate level women, develops programs to help women grow into leadership positions in business and other sectors, and assists in creating greater awareness of and access to the resources of the University by women in the community. The last major project the Council undertook was the development and administration of a database of women and minorities willing to serve on corporate boards. This nationally recognized project resulted in a number of board placements and was the impetus for a series of well-attended Women on Boards seminars. As one of the early proponents of the LEAP project, the Council plans to continue active involvement in its development and implementation, as well as in the on-going activities of the project. The Council members serve on the Advisory Board; solicit suitable entrepreneurs and advisory panel members; provide ongoing support and encouragement; and share the outcomes with other women entrepreneurs, educators, and business professionals.