Engineering managers, educators, researchers, and industry leaders gathered in Madison, October 7-10, 2026, for the American Society for Engineering Management (ASEM) International Annual Conference.
Co-hosted by the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the University of Wisconsin–Platteville, with support from UW–Madison Interdisciplinary Professional Programs (InterPro), the conference brought together participants from across the United States and around the world to explore this year’s theme: Engineering Management at the Intersection of Innovation, People, and Purpose.
For InterPro, the event provided an opportunity to showcase UW–Madison’s long-standing leadership in engineering management education through its Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program while strengthening connections between academia and industry.
Advancing the Engineering Management Profession
Throughout the conference, participants explored topics ranging from leadership and innovation to artificial intelligence, workforce development, and engineering education.
Professor Shawn Belling and Heather Smith presented research examining the impact of tuition reimbursement programs on employee retention among engineering management alumni, delivering insight into how organizations can support workforce development while improving retention.
Professor Laura Albert showcased UW–Madison’s leadership in AI education through her presentation on the “AI in Systems” course and the upcoming summit: The AI-Ready Engineer: Advancing the Next Frontier of Engineering Education. She encouraged attendees to consider how AI education can begin earlier, reach more learners, and continue throughout an engineer’s career.
Alumni and Industry Leadership
A featured leadership panel brought together Craig Dreikosen, Director of Organizational Improvement at Sauk Prairie Healthcare; Pete Kunz, Senior Vice President of Enterprise Engineering at Oshkosh Corporation; and Jessie Hakes McMasters, Engineering Director for Mechanical Power Conversion at John Deere and a graduate of UW–Madison’s Master of Engineering Management program. The panel explored leadership development, career growth, and the evolving role of engineering managers while highlighting perspectives from healthcare, manufacturing, and global engineering organizations.
Keynote speaker Erin Ralph of John Deere, a UW–Madison MBA graduate, spoke about people-centered leadership and the importance of investing in employees through authentic recognition, accessibility, and trust.
The conference also honored Steve Nackers of Sub-Zero Group as ASEM’s 2026 Engineering Manager of the Year. A UW–Madison mechanical engineering alumnus, Nackers reflected on the mentors, family members, and leaders who helped shape his career, emphasizing the lasting impact of curiosity, encouragement, and investment in people.
Exploring Wisconsin Innovation
Pre-conference technical tours explored dairy innovation, advanced manufacturing, and systems that support large-scale campus infrastructure. An evening at Olbrich Botanical Gardens’ GLEAM light exhibition provided a uniquely Madison experience and opportunities for informal networking and collaboration. These activities demonstrated both Wisconsin’s engineering heritage and its culture of creativity and innovation.
A Team Effort
The conference was supported by ASEM volunteers, reviewers, session chairs, speakers, sponsors, and university partners. Within InterPro, Heather Smith, Justin Bush, Jenny Patzlaff, Libby Miller, and Karene Cary provided planning and conference support, with support from College of Engineering leadership.
Looking Forward
From faculty research to alumni leadership, ASEM 2026 highlighted UW–Madison and InterPro contributions to the engineering management profession through education, research, industry partnerships, and service to the professional community.