Wisconsin WOMEN Reception

From film to finance, Joanna Burish to speak
Oct. 3 at W·O·M·E·N reception in Madison

Business leader, former arts producer and advocate Joanna Burish will speak Thursday, Oct. 3 at the annual W•O•M•E•N reception in Madison.

Burish will talk about her background – from emigrating from Israel to the United States at the age of seven, to being a producer in Hollywood, New York and the Cannes Film Festival, and her most recent experiences in the finance world – during an early evening conversation at J.H. Findorff & Son headquarters, 300 S. Bedford St. A reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the presentation at 6:30 p.m.

Burish joined Custer Burish Financial Services in 2022 as a managing partner and is the named successor of the firm. Among her proudest endeavors is founding The Brauds Network in 2011 with the mission of women empowering women.

She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting with a focus on finance and real estate, as well as her master’s degree in executive management, from UW-Madison. Burish has been the CEO and vice president of $130-million and $450-millon real-estate companies, respectively, and directly involved in financial planning for eight years.

Over time, the annual reception has featured speakers such as Sue Marks, Eve Hall, Toni Sikes, Demetria Menard, Darcy Luoma, Dr. Susan Turney, Cindy Alvarez, Kelli Thompson and a panel of women early stage investors. Tech Council President Tom Still will moderate.

The W•O•M•E•N (Women, Opportunities, Mentors, Entrepreneurs and Networking) reception has been held in each of the last nine years. Open to attendance by men and women, the cost is $25 for Tech Council members, $10 for students and returning veterans, and $50 for general admission. Sponsors of this year’s W•O•M•E•N reception are Findorff and Promega.

“We’re excited to highlight Joanna Burish and her diverse yet instructive story,” Still said. “Her passion for helping other women succeed is infectious.”

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State Public Defender Kelli Thompson to speak Sept. 28 W·O·M·E·N reception in Madison

Kelli Thompson, photographed by Kayla Wolf, State Journal

Often described as a tireless advocate for her staff, the clients they serve and Wisconsin’s criminal justice system in general, veteran State Public Defender Kelli Thompson will speak Thursday, Sept. 28 at the annual W•O•M•E•N reception in Madison.

Thompson oversees an agency that provides legal representation to Wisconsin’s indigent in criminal cases, relying on its own staff as well as appointed private attorneys to handle a massive caseload that ranges from misdemeanors to homicides to appeals.

Attorney Thompson will talk about her tenure at the office, challenges and opportunities for professional women and more during the early evening conversation at J.H. Findorff & Son headquarters, 300 S. Bedford St. A reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the presentation at 6:30 p.m. Click here to register.

Over time, the annual reception has featured speakers such as Sue Marks, Eve Hall, Toni Sikes, Demetria Menard, Darcy Luoma, Dr. Susan Turney, Cindy Alvarez and a panel of women early stage investors. Tech Council President Tom Still will moderate and invite questions from the audience.

The W•O•M•E•N (Women, Opportunities, Mentors, Entrepreneurs and Networking) reception has been held in each of the last seven years. Open to attendance by men and women, the cost is $25 for Tech Council members, $10 for students and returning veterans, and $50 for general admission. Sponsors of this year’s W•O•M•E•N reception are Findorff and Promega.

“We’re excited to highlight Kelli Thompson, who has led the office since 2011 and brings a wealth of perspectives on criminal justice, public safety and health, based on her own experiences as well as those of her family,” Still said. “In these partisan times, Thompson has persuaded Republicans and Democrats alike to work together to make this a high-functioning agency in a high-pressure environment.”

‘First Lady of Badger Sports’ to kick off
Sept. 29 W·O·M·E·N reception in Madison

Cindy Alvarez, who was a behind-the-scenes force in the rise of UW-Madison athletics over the course of three decades while also working on charitable causes, will speak Sept. 29 at the annual W•O•M•E•N reception in Madison.

Cindy Alvarez is the wife of Barry Alvarez, the retired UW-Madison athletic director and former head football coach who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Over time, Coach Alvarez has credited Cindy for keeping them from becoming coaching “vagabonds” and for being a sounding board in good times and bad.

During a low point in his inaugural 1990 season in Madison, in which the Badgers were 1-10, Alvarez said he confided in Cindy: “I can never show weakness to anybody but you.”

Among her activities over time, Alvarez co-chaired an effort to bring a Gilda’s Club to Madison, where it continues to focus on helping people with cancer and their families.

Cindy Alvarez will share her memories of the couples’ 33 years in Madison during the annual reception, which over time has featured speakers such as Sue Marks, Eve Hall, Toni Sikes, Demetria Menard, Darcy Luoma, Dr. Susan Turney and a panel of women investors.

The W•O•M•E•N (Women, Opportunities, Mentors, Entrepreneurs and Networking) reception has been held in each of the last seven years. Open to attendance by men and women, the reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the J.H. Findorff & Son headquarters, 300 S. Bedford St. The presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The cost is $25 for Tech Council members, $10 for students and returning veterans, and $50 for general admission. Sponsors of this year’s W•O•M•E•N reception are Findorff and Promega.

“We’re excited to shine a light on Cindy Alvarez, a familiar figure in Madison and Wisconsin as well as someone whose personality and stories will bring back memories for many people,” said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. The Tech Council produces the event.

Past WOMEN Reception speakers include:
2015: Sue Marks, Cielo
2016: Eve Hall, African-American Chamber  Commerce of Wisconsin
2017: Toni Sikes, CODAworx
2018: Demetria Menard, SwanLeap
2019: Darcy Luoma, Darcy Luoma Consulting
2020: Andrea Dlugos, Wisconsin Investment Partners; Dana Guthrie, Gateway Capital Fund; and Richelle Martin, Winnow Fund
2021: Susan Turney, Marshfield Clinic Health System.

Dr. Susan Turney, who is often ranked as one of the nation’s top healthcare executives, spoke Sept. 30 at the annual W•O•M•E•N reception in Madison.

Click here to read Alex Moe’s WisBusiness article on the evening.

Click here to view an online photo album.

Dr. Turney is the first chief executive officer of the Marshfield Clinic Health System, which serves major parts of Wisconsin through 1,200-plus medical providers in 90 specialties; more than 50 hospitals and clinics; a health plan; and world-renowned research and education programs. She is an internal medicine physician.

Dr. Turney is the first CEO of the Marshfield system, having previously worked as executive vice president of the Wisconsin Medical Society as well as president and CEO of MGMA-ACMPE, a national association for leaders of medical group practices.

The W•O•M•E•N (Women, Opportunities, Mentors, Entrepreneurs and Networking) reception, held in each of the last six years, features female entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Open to men and women, the reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the J.H. Findorff & Son headquarters, 300 S. Bedford St. The presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Sponsors of this year’s W•O•M•E•N reception were Findorff, Perkins Coie and Promega.

“We’re excited to have a speaker of Dr. Turney’s reputation share her experiences, especially at a time of challenges and innovation within health care – especially in systems that serve predominantly rural populations,” said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. The Tech Council produces the event with support from the Wisconsin Healthcare Business Forum.

Turney has served on committees for the National Quality Forum and the American Medical Association and fulfilled appointments by the Wisconsin governor and the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary.​ She was recognized by Modern Healthcare earlier this summer as one of this year’s 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives.