Welcome to In Business Madison’s second annual Power 100 list!

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

As reported by In Business Madison

We’re pleased to highlight the leaders in Wisconsin’s Capital Region who are driving economic growth and helping shape our community into a thriving place to work, learn and live.

Whether they work in health care, finance, technology, education, government, real estate, construction, manufacturing, nonprofits and more, the individuals on this list exemplify what it means to be a leader, with tenacity, grit and dedication.

When the editorial staff convened to conceive this list, we considered how each of these influential people have contributed to make Wisconsin’s Capital Region what it is today, with an emphasis on those who rose to the fore over the last year.

As such, we’re pleased that about one-third of our list features new honorees — some who were recently elected to a new position, or who ascended the ranks of their organizations to take on a prominent leadership role, or distinguished themselves in other ways.

Others were selected for their critical, ongoing roles driving change and growth in our area. The list includes key leaders who have fostered entrepreneurship and supported the startup community. We also highlighted generous philanthropists who have shaped the Capital Region and decision-makers who have created policy enabling businesses to thrive. In addition to the mayor of Madison, we’ve included the mayors of surrounding cities who are home to flourishing business communities as well.

We think the mix of expertise and insight — across so many fields, experiences and backgrounds — offers an expanded picture of the business and community leaders in our area.

Some of these visionaries we’ve written about in the pages of our monthly magazine, online, or they have been featured at our events. Others have caught our attention for future coverage. 

Certainly this list isn’t comprehensive of all the inspiring leaders who work and live in Wisconsin’s Capital Region. But it’s a start.