Anne Martino was an active on-campus leader who graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1988. She is a successful businesswoman and created the Anne Louise Martino Leadership Award as a way to pay forward the encouragement and mentoring she received from outstanding UW-Madison women Deans and mentors. Her deep involvement with the Women’s Philanthropy Council (WPC), which connects philanthropic women to UW-Madison and inspires them to give back, strengthened that commitment. Through this award, Anne continues the cycle of support that shaped her own journey.
The Anne Louise Martino Leadership Award recognizes the valuable contributions of student leaders. Administered as part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Leadership Certificate Program and endorsed by the University’s women Deans, the $5,000 award was presented for the first time in the spring of 2014. The Anne Louise Martino Leadership Award honors an outstanding graduating senior who has distinguished themselves as a campus leader and has advanced women’s leadership. Recipients will join the UW-Madison Leadership Award Network: a community of leaders and former recipients of the award. This community will foster continued support for students engaging in leadership.
Award amount: $5,000
Eligibility
- Undergraduate student
- Senior, graduating in the Spring
- Successfully complete the Leadership Certificate Program in the Spring
- Attend the Leadership Certificate Ceremony in the Spring
Timeline
Applications open early in March and close on April 1 at 11:59 pm. No late submissions will be accepted.
Application Instructions
- Application materials can be accessed year-round in the Leadership Certificate Canvas Page
- Application includes both a written and video submission
Award Selection Process
The selection process is carried out by Anne Louise Martino Leadership Award Review Committee and uses a two‑round review process:
- Round One: A team of UW–Madison staff reviews all applications and recommends 3–5 finalists to advance to the next stage.
- Round Two: Anne Martino and their team reviews the finalists and recommend one applicant for the award.
Past Award Recipients
Meet the outstanding students who have previously received the Anne Louise Martino Leadership Award: Past Award Recipients
Last Year’s Anne Louise Martino Leadership Award Recipient
Name: Naihua Wang
Hometown: De Pere, WI
Year/Major: Graduated in Spring 2025 with a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Human Development and Family Studies
Naihua has discovered that she leads best through empathy, patience, and collaboration. As Vice President of the Figure Skating Team and a coach in the Skating Adaptive Program, she discovered that the lessons from the ice have shaped the way she leads and supports others. Whether guiding underclassmen in the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association or supporting children navigating autism and language delays at the Waisman Early Childhood Program, Naihua approaches each relationship with the same mindset: listen first, adapt thoughtfully, and celebrate progress in all its forms. Passionate about helping people connect through communication, Naihua will continue this work after graduation as she pursues a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She hopes to make a meaningful impact by combining science, compassion, and communication to support individuals in their growth.