Susan
LaBelle, a veteran private sector executive and economic development leader who
has taught in the UW-Madison master’s in biotechnology program, has been
selected to head the university’s Office of Corporate Relations.
LaBelle’s professional background includes nearly three decades
working in the health care and health products manufacturing industry,
including serving as global vice president for marketing at drug development
services company Covance from 2003-11. She has a bachelor’s degree in
medical technology from Northern Illinois University, and earned her master’s
in marketing and management from the Kellogg School of Management at
Northwestern University.
LaBelle
says she is looking forward to leading the Office of Corporate Relations and
becoming part of the economic development team at the university.
“UW–Madison
is a rich economic development resource for not only the Dane County area, but
Wisconsin and our region as a whole,” LaBelle says. “I welcome the opportunity
to work with faculty and staff across the campus to create partnerships between
the university and the business community, and ensure the university remains a
powerful driver behind the economic health of the state.”
OCR
was established in 2003 to serve as the university’s liaison to business and
industry. The group helps businesses access talent recruitment, professional
development programs, research and development, technology licensing, startup
creation and globalization expertise. Charles Hoslet, associate vice
chancellor for government and corporate affairs, previously led the office.
“We are fortunate to have
a person with Susan’s depth and breadth of experience aboard. Her extensive
experience in the private sector and her deep involvement in regional economic
development will serve the university well in this important role,” Hoslet
says.
LaBelle
currently runs a firm, SM LaBelle Consulting, providing strategy and marketing
to companies, nonprofits and higher education institutions. She also teaches in
the UW–Madison biotechnology master’s degree program.
LaBelle
has also been involved with MadREP (formerly known as Thrive), the
regional economic development organization serving the eight-county region
surrounding Madison, since its inception in 2005. She served as the
organization’s interim leader in 2012.
LaBelle’s
first day at the Office of Corporate Relations is Feb. 24.
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