Twin Cities Live host claims she found her 'dream job'
For the past 14 years, Elizabeth Ries (BA '03) has spent her afternoons in the homes of Minnesotans, chatting with local celebrities, demonstrating recipes, visiting unique restaurants and businesses and even sharing her personal stories. As the co-host of Twin Cities Live weekdays on KSTP-TV, viewers see Ries as friendly and approachable, and as a co-executive producer of the show, she’s responsible for its content and feel—two roles that she says make up her dream job. After graduating from Apple Valley High School in 1999, Ries earned a bachelor of arts degree in journalism and political science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She worked in “hard news” for about seven years before transitioning into lifestyle journalism and joining Twin Cities Live in June 2009. Read more about her journey in Cities South Magazine (Jan 2023) and the Star Tribune (May 2023).
Badger alum leads MN law firm
Karla Vehrs '02, managing partner of Ballard Spahr’s Minneapolis office, turned her Badger study abroad experience into motivation to achieve a leadership position in her future career. Read more about her experience in TCB mag!
Badger sisters take over HGTV
Lindsey Uselding BBA ’02 and Kirsten Meehan BA ’04 will help property owners restore their homes and businesses destroyed by fire and storms in Renovation 911, set to premiere in early 2023. The show features the sisters crisscrossing the Twin Cities, helping distressed homeowners through the emotional process of restoration and recovery. Read more about the program in a recent edition of Update Magazine.
Facilitating global humanitarian work from the Twin Cities
UW alumni are an accomplished group. Alumni have been awarded Nobel Prizes and Pulitzer Prizes. Some serve as CEOs and many are distinguished leaders in their fields of study and work. One such notable Twin Cities alumni leader is Adriana Alejandro Osorio PhD '07. Read more about how Alejandro Osorio is using her knowledge gained at the UW to improve the lives of others in this recent edition of Badger Vibes.
African American Affinity Group chair moves to Minneapolis
Russell Betts knows what it takes for an alumni group to be successful — he’s seen alumni relations from almost every angle. Now he's leading the African American Affinity Group for the Wisconsin Alumni Association! Read more about how Russell leverages his history as a fundraiser to develop a group that engages Black students and alumni from UW in this recent article from WAA.