The External Board of Advisors plays a critical role in the success of the Nicholas Center. There are 31 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 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 with the desirable skill sets to become
  successful professionals in corporate finance
• Participate as guest speakers as part of our Executive in Residence program
• Conduct mock interviewing
• Resume critiquing
• Recruit students for both summer internships and full-time positions

In addition, the board meets on campus annually for our Nicholas Center Board of Advisors Meeting/Alumni Reunion.  During this event board members and alums provide valuable feedback to students on their current consulting projects and offer career advice.

Nicholas project sponsor & board member John Oros (President of The Enstar Group) and Nicholas students during Board of Advisors Reception at the Memorial Union

Board members also serve as an indispensable source of assistance to the Nicholas Directors Cindie Adams and Professor Jim Seward. The Board aids in identifying the desirable skills for tomorrow's business leaders and recommends superior candidates who can step into those shoes. The Board also provides insight and suggestions to continuously improve our Nicholas Center curriculum.

The Board members also serve as vital contacts for students looking for internships and permanent employment. During the summer of 2005, Keitaro Matsuoka accepted an internship at 3M in St. Paul, Minn. He credits the Board as being instrumental in his decision. "Dennis Duerst (Director of Benefit Fund Investments at 3M) was a big reason why I chose to accept that internship," Keitaro said. "After talking to him at Nicholas events, I already felt as if I knew him and felt that it would be a great fit."

In addition to the 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:

• Barbara Bolens, Vice President Finance & Accounting Director of Investor Relations (Brady Corporation) - Executive in Residence, Topic: Investor Relations
• Donald Condon, Senior Vice President Olefins and Corporate Planning and Business Development (Westlake Chemical) - Executive in Residence, Topic: IPOs
• Cathy Durham, Vice President (Capital Valuation) - Executive in Residence,
  Topic: Valuation of Privately-Held Businesses
• Kirk Geadelmann, Director of Finance (Best Buy) - Executive in Residence,
  Topic: Implementing Shareholder Value Goal: Lessons Learned at Best Buy
• Judd Nystrom, VP Finance and Investor Relations (Advance Auto Parts) - Executive
  in Residence, Mock Interviews
• Peter Kies, VP Managing Director, Investment Banking (Robert W. Baird)) - Executive
  in Residence, Topic: Valuation Seminar
  

Nicholas students receive feedback from board members Mindy Mount (Microsoft) and Bruce Cohen (Kurt Salmon Associates) during Spring '06 Board Meeting