Originally from Madison, Carrianne Basler ’91 is a first-generation graduate of the Wisconsin School of Business. She regularly seeks opportunities that allow her to make a positive impact on the world. She is honored to join the WPC in support of the university and to reignite her passion for women in philanthropy.
Where is your hometown?
I grew up in Madison. After college, I moved to the Baltimore area for about five years and then to Rochester Hills, Michigan. My husband and I moved back to the Madison area in 2000 just before our oldest son was born. We have recently bought a home in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and split our time between there and Waunakee, Wisconsin.
How did you hear about the WPC?
I was researching the Bascom Hill Society and noticed some information about WPC. I’m very passionate about opportunities for women and loved the idea of a women’s philanthropy council. I am the former worldwide chair of the International Women’s Insolvency and Reorganization Confederation. It’s an organization that is committed to the connection, promotion, and success of women in the insolvency and restructuring profession worldwide. Now that I am a former chair, I find myself with the time and inclination to find more ways to have a positive impact on the world. The UW had such a positive impact on me and helped set a foundation for who I am today, leading me to want to give back. I thought the WPC would be a great way to get more involved and fit with my goals and values. Not only can we do good things for the university, but we can also act as role models for other women who may have similar goals and aspirations someday.
What is your connection to UW–Madison?
I am a first-generation college student and a 1991 graduate of the Wisconsin School of Business with a BBA accounting. I am also the 2017 Alumna of the Year for the accounting department.
How do you spend your time?
I am a managing director at AlixPartners, a global consulting firm, and focus on assisting distressed companies with court restructuring efforts. Some of my past clients have been General Motors and Kodak. I love to travel with my husband, Rob, and our sons who are 19 and 21 years old. Our goal is to travel to all 7 continents, but the pandemic has delayed our long-planned trip to Antarctica. I also enjoy going to the Dane County Farmers’ Market. I come from a large family that is largely in the Madison area, and we get together frequently throughout the year. I am also on the organizing committee for Food for Kidz in Waunakee — we have a one-day packing event where we get up to 1,500 volunteers to pack meals for those in need both close to home and abroad. Before the pandemic, we packed over 500,000 meals in one day at our 2019 event.
What is something important/fun you would like the WPC to know about you?
I’m known in my company and my industry as a die-hard Badger. My signature color is red, which, outside of Wisconsin, is not a color you see very often.