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 is overseeing the development of UW Connects, a statewide outreach initiative for University Relations. UW Connects includes Badger Talks, Bucky's Classroom, and Wisconsin Ambassadors. She has 15+ 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. Fran has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois and an MBA in marketing from DePaul University.
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.
Emily Widgren
Badger Talks Marketing Intern
Emily is a senior studying Political Science with certificates in Business and Public Policy at UW-Madison. She is originally from Detroit, Michigan, but has loved being able to learn more about the state of Wisconsin and connect residents to resources and education available at the university. During the summer of 2023, she interned with the US Department of State in Washington, DC and hopes to return to DC and the State Department after graduating in May 2024 while studying for the Foreign Service Officer exam. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, going on walks, and exploring Madison!