 |
"The program prepares us with the essential quantitative skills and analytical acumen necessary to analyze and interpret company financial statements and industry trends." |
| Apoorva Varadarajan Nicholas 2007 |
 |
"I would strongly recommend the program for potential applicants who want to get involved in real projects with Fortune 500 companies. If they are looking for a practical-oriented program that combines real-world and corporate finance theory, NIcholas is the best choice." |
| Pablo Rieckof Nicholas 2005 ACCION International |
Our corporate partners play a critical role in the distinction of the Nicholas Center. In addition to the Wisconsin MBA Executive Leadership Series, Nicholas students work closely with financial executives through consulting engagements and our External Board of Advisors.
Each academic year Nicholas teams work on 16-18 consulting engagements sponsored by various companies, banks and consulting firms. Our proven track record of providing valuable research, recommendations and solutions to financial challenges has led to a strong reputation and sought after project sponsorship from companies around the world.
 |
| Nicholas project sponsor & board member John Oros (President of The Enstar Group) meets with Nicholas students during Spring 2006 Board of Advisors Meeting at the Memorial Union |
The External Board of Advisors plays a critical role in the success of Nicholas. There are 28 financial executives who currently serve on the Board. They are practitioners from financial services/investment banking and consulting firms, as well as corporate officers. This balance is critical for providing our MBA students with the broadest possible exposure and training necessary to become successful business leaders. Specific responsibilities for board members include: assistance in identifying qualified students and desirable skill sets for professionals in the field of corporate finance, provide advice and feedback on curriculum offerings, generate leads for applied projects, participate as classroom guest speakers, and facilitate the placement of students for both summer internships and full-time positions. The Board meets on campus twice a year to review the progress of the program, provide feedback to students on their current consulting projects and offer career advice.
 |
| Nicholas students receive feedback on their presentations from board members during Fall '05 Board Meeting |
In addition to the bi-annual Nicholas Board of Advisors meetings, board members enhance the academic experience in a variety of ways throughout the year. Examples of members’ recent involvements include:
| Managing Director & head of US Equity Capital Markets at Deutsche Securities, Doug Baird, sponsored a Nicholas project. A Nicholas team presented the benefits/advantages as well as the costs/disadvantages of issuing seasoned common equity to Deutsche. |
| Managing Director of Adage Capital Management, Phill Gross, critiqued a Nicholas project team's presentation on acquisition targets in the medical instruments' arena. |
| Retired Co-Managing Director of AOL UK, Mindy Mount, spent two days on campus conducting mock interviews with current Nicholas students. |
| Former Board member Dr. John Parsons, Executive Director at MIT, presented on hedging and risk management practices in the chemical and natural resource industries. |
| M & A Director at Citigroup, Mary E. Amor, shared her expertise of the investment banking industry. |
| Managing Director of Antares International Partners, Gary M. Cole, critiqued Nicholas presentations and conducted mock interviews. |
| Director of Benefits Fund Investments at 3M, Dennis Duerst, sponsored several Nicholas projects. |
 |
| Nicholas Board members Eric Larson (Piper Jaffray), Ben Braun (Merrill Lynch), Gary Cole (Antares International) and Mary Amor (Citigroup) during Spring '06 Board Meeting |
Nicholas Center for Applied Corporate Finance Contributors |
Meet Current Nicholas Students