The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay announced on May 5 that Sachin Shivaram, CEO of Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry, and Mark King, UW-Green Bay alumnus and former CEO of Taylor Made Golf and Taco Bell, will serve as keynote speakers at the university’s spring commencement ceremonies.
More than 1,320 students have applied to graduate in May. Of those, over 1,050 are expected to participate in the ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, May 16 at the Kress Events Center. The first ceremony at 9:30 a.m. will honor graduates from the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. The second ceremony at 2 p.m. will recognize graduates from the College of Health, Education and Social Welfare; Austin E. Cofrin School of Business; and College of Science, Engineering and Technology.
Shivaram is Chief Executive Officer of Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry in Manitowoc. He holds degrees from Harvard University (History & Literature), University of Cambridge (Social and Political Sciences), and Yale Law School. Shivaram has worked in manufacturing across the United States and internationally before returning to Wisconsin. He serves on several corporate boards including GrafTech International, Broadwind Inc., Lodge Cast Iron, Vollrath Company as well as being a member of the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors.
In addition to his business career, Shivaram chairs the Governor’s Council on Workforce Investment and co-chairs New North—an economic development group for northeast Wisconsin—and is a trustee at UW-Green Bay. He also volunteers with local organizations such as Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and teaches business ethics at St. Norbert College.
King graduated from UW-Green Bay’s Business program in 1981 before serving as CEO for Xponential Fitness starting in 2024 after previous leadership roles with TaylorMade Golf Company—where he rose from sales representative to CEO—and major brands like adidas North America (as President) where he doubled market share within four years. At Taco Bell he led franchise expansion with over 1,400 new locations opening globally during his tenure.
The University uses Phoenix as its athletic nickname symbolizing resilience according to the official website. It emphasizes regional care through multiple campus locations across Northeast Wisconsin while providing more than 200 academic options including majors, minors, certificates or programs according to the official website. Specialized facilities include an arboretum and biodiversity center focused on environmental initiatives according to the official website.
