As the former State Director of the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Erica Kauten made extraordinary contributions to economic development and entrepreneurship across Wisconsin and beyond – an impact that is still seen in staff, programs, and small businesses today.
To honor Erica’s legacy, the Wisconsin SBDC at UW-Madison’s Center Director position will now be named the Erica Kauten Directorship. A fund – which will support the continued work of the UW-Madison SBDC at the Wisconsin School of Business – has been established in her honor. Today, the Center’s outstanding team is led by Director Michelle Somes Booher; the team’s nationally recognized programs have helped thousands of small businesses thrive.
“It is an honor to serve as the first Erica Kauten Director of the WI SBDC at UW Madison. Erica’s legacy of innovation and excellence is still felt today – in Wisconsin, and around the national SBDC network.” – Michelle Somes- Booher
Supporting Wisconsin Small Businesses
Erica Kauten, a distinguished leader in economic development, served as the Wisconsin State Director of the SBDC from 1995 to 2006 and retired from the UW as the Director of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development. In that time, Erica expanded the program from 10 campus organizations to an aligned, highly coordinated network of centers and developed several “first of their kind” programs, helping to raise Wisconsin’s national profile as a job-creator. The Network that Erica’s work enhanced now includes more than 70 employees, reaches all corners of the state, and continues to support hundreds of Wisconsin entrepreneurs each year.
Erica notes, “I was privileged to work with a talented group of people for the bulk of my time at the University of Wisconsin. Together, we moved from a system of 10 campus-driven Centers to a seamless collaborative network of 75 organizations serving entrepreneurs throughout the state. We launched the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) assistance program, implemented the Business AnswerLine, a statewide 1-800 call center, and added a web-based document transfer system for entrepreneurs; no other state had done this at that time.”
Erica also held key regional economic development roles at Forward Wisconsin, Alliant Energy Corporation, and UW-Platteville. She was recognized as a Wisconsin Idea Fellow by the UW Board of Regents and was inducted into the Teacher-of-the-Year Hall of Fame for the upper Midwest during her tenure at Chippewa Valley Technical College.
National Impact
Erica shares, “When I was nominated as a candidate for the annual Kaufman Foundation Supporter of Entrepreneurship Award, I had no hopes of winning. But I was flattered to participate and agreed to prepare an application. I was even more surprised when asked to attend the Ernst & Young awards banquet in Palm Springs at its national entrepreneurial conference. I won the coveted award, but – more importantly – Wisconsin was recognized for its innovative programming and stellar results. It was a super night to feel great and be proud of what we had done.”
The Erica Kauten Directorship at the Wisconsin SBDC at UW-Madison honors the extraordinary commitment she made to the SBDC, both in Wisconsin and nationally. Small businesses are more than economic engines—they are expressions of belief in community, resilience, and the future. Erica exemplifies that belief. Her vision and dedication laid a foundation that enables the Center to provide meaningful, lasting support today—and to carry forward the values she championed for years to come.
The generous support provided to the Erica Kauten Directorship Fund by family, friends, and SBDC champions enables her transformative impact to continue to shape and sustain the mission of the SBDC. If you would like to support this fund, please click the button below.
“I know [Erica] is cherished in Wisconsin, but appreciation for her influence stretches far beyond the state. Recognizing Erica for her commitment, passion and effectiveness is a tribute to her and to the small businesses across the country that have benefited from her involvement in the SBDC program."
Allan Adams, current Georgia SBDC State Director
