Thank you for your interest in inviting the University of Wisconsin–Madison into your community through Badger Talks. It is our honor and privilege to help spread the Wisconsin Idea across our great state by engaging Wisconsin residents on topics they care about and sharing the latest discoveries of UW faculty, staff and graduate students.
It is our goal to bring the University to you to help spark ideas and conversations on topics important to your community. Whether you want to hear about the history of the Ice Age Trail, learn about the history of Ragtime music, discuss changes in the dairy industry, or get updated on the latest ground-breaking health care research being done on campus, we can find a speaker for you.
We encourage you to explore our list of categories, or search for speakers/topics using keywords via the search bar, and then submit an online talk request. Please contact us if you would like assistance with identifying a speaker who matches your organization’s interests.
On, Wisconsin!
Badger Talks LIVE – A Year in Review
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Badger Talks Staff
Fran Puleo Moyer
Associate Director of Outreach Programs
Fran oversees UW Connects, a statewide outreach program housed in the UW-Madison Office of State Relations. UW Connects includes Badger Talks, Bucky's Classroom, and the Badger Ambassador program. She has 20+ years of experience in program development, event management, community and public relations, marketing, and communications. Formerly the Community Relations Manager at Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center, she served as a spokesperson for the facility, managed events, and developed robust partnerships within the Madison business community. In addition, she previously served as an Outreach Program Manager at UW–Stevens Point, and has held administrative positions for several orchestras including the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony, and the Lake Forest Symphony. Fran is an artist and musician and currently serves as an Arts Commissioner for Dane County. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the University of Illinois and an MBA in marketing from DePaul University but is a proud Badger in her heart, and is honored to support programming which shares information and resources from campus with the people of Wisconsin.
Maya Reinfeldt
Badger Talks Coordinator
Maya has been with Badger Talks since October of 2022. She is responsible for hosted talk requests and their marketing, human resources, office supplies and equipment, and travel and expenses for speakers, students and staff. Maya Reinfeldt is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where she earned her BA with Honors in International Studies and Russian Literature. During college, she was a Writing Fellow, an Interfaith Fellow, and a member of the Cabinet of Student Leaders. Her work experience also centers around the University - Maya has worked for Memorial Library, and as both a student employee and Community Engaged Intern at the Wisconsin Water Library under Wisconsin Sea Grant where she focused on elevating underrepresented voices in the library. Maya grew up near Madison and, as a very proud Badger, is excited to support and develop the Badger Talks goal of spreading the Wisconsin Idea throughout the state. In her free time, she plays with the UW-Madison Russian Folk Orchestra, having been raised bilingual in English and Russian.
Xitllali De La Torre Sanchez
Badger Talks Marketing Intern
Xitllali De La Torre Sanchez is a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in Journalism and Strategic Communications. On campus, she serves as Chair of Public Relations for the Dietetics and Nutrition Club, where she promotes nutrition education through engaging initiatives, such as collaborating with local businesses that share the goal of ensuring community access to proper nutrition. She also manages the club’s social media, creating weekly posts to enhance campus engagement.
In her free time, she enjoys hiking and sharing new recipes which further fuels her passion for connecting with communities. Xitllali strives to leverage her skills and experiences to create impactful communication strategies that educate and inspire. She is excited to be a part of the Badger Talks team to continue her mission of promoting education, and expand her efforts from campus-wide to state-wide and beyond.