The Wisconsin School of Business (WSB), one of the first five business schools in the nation, has been shaping leaders for the last 125 years. The school prepares students for the careers that lie ahead, and its world-class undergraduate program empowers students of all backgrounds to succeed — about 13 percent of undergraduate students are the first in their families to attend college.
WSB students are encouraged to embrace curiosity and innovation — no idea is too outrageous or too big. Since 2022, the intensive three-day Leadership at Lambeau Summit has helped inform and prepare students, offering opportunities for them to learn more about themselves and to develop their own philosophy of what leadership can look like, in a supportive and evolving environment. This experiential learning program was created by John Leffin, former Accenture executive, seasoned leadership and development coach, and a founder of the WSB Accenture Leadership Center (ALC), which coordinates the delivery of this program with Green Bay Packer management. The ALC is one of the first in-house leadership hubs in a U.S. business school and is funded by charitable contributions.
With the aid of donors who generously support either the WSB Annual Fund or the newly developed Leadership at Lambeau Fund, where new gifts are being directed, Leadership at Lambeau is an intensive retreat that provides an impactful, immersive leadership experience for undergraduate Business Badgers. “This is the next level for students who have done the foundational leadership work, love it, and want more,” says Julie Duffstein, director of undergraduate leadership and engagement. “They’re looking for the opportunity to get out of their comfort zone a bit.”
For 40 ambitious applicants, getting out of their comfort zones will land them at Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. Students are selected based on either having prior leadership experience with student organizations or showing significant progress in at least one of the school’s Business Badger Badges programs. Leadership at Lambeau is one of five badges students can earn — the badge system is designed so that students can also work toward a leadership certificate if they wish. A customizable program, Business Badger Badges includes conferences, case competitions, workshops, and more.
“The biggest takeaway I had from the experience is just how diverse leadership actually is,” says alumna Taylor Gilmore ’22. “Leadership isn’t one thing. Every single person has the ability to become a leader, whether they choose to or not. To be able to reflect on that really got me motivated for what’s to come.”
A central piece of the leadership summit is working through a customized curriculum called the “Playbook.” Students gather in teams of eight to delve into leadership principles, and each team has a WSB facilitator and an industry facilitator. Some of the topics covered include difficult conversations, knowing yourself, and leading with integrity. These small-group conversations help elicit shared experiences rather than attendees simply listening to the prepared content being conveyed.
“It taught me to take a more selfless approach to leadership, and that trust is key,” says Bryce Linssen ’24. “Leaders don’t do everything. Playing on the strengths of not only yourself but others is crucial, especially in the more team-oriented work setting we see today.”