Jane-Brock Wilson Alumna Jane-Brock Wilson, who was honored in 2014 with the Krannert Business Leadership Award, joined Berkshire Partners in 1991 and became a managing director in 1994. She has been a director of several of Berkshire's business services, consumer products and industrial companies. (Photo by Mark Simons)

Gender Equity

Alumna advances women in management

Throughout her career, Jane Brock-Wilson has put more than a few cracks in the “glass ceiling.”

Most recently, Brock-Wilson, a Krannert alumna and longtime Purdue supporter, made a $1 million gift to advance women in management by providing undergraduate scholarships for women enrolled in the School of Management.

Brock-Wilson, managing director of Berkshire Partners, says she provided the gift to create a more supportive culture for women in management at Purdue.

“My Purdue education provided me a well-rounded foundation in both academics and leadership opportunities,” she says. “I feel strongly about giving those same opportunities to other undergraduate women.”

Brock-Wilson, a Lafayette, Indiana, native, earned a bachelor's degree in industrial management in 1978. She was honored with the 2014 Krannert Business Leadership Award.

"Jane Brock-Wilson is one of the finest alumni Purdue has ever produced,” says Purdue President Mitch Daniels. “With this wonderful gift, we increase the chances that the world will benefit from more great businesswomen like her in the decades ahead.”

Brock-Wilson’s gift resulted in a $1.5 million match from Purdue Research Foundation, made available by donor funds, for a total of $2.5 million dedicated to advancing women in management. In honor of the gift, the school has established the Jane Brock-Wilson Center for Women in Management.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Jane for her leadership role in this vital initiative,” says David Hummels, dean of the Krannert School of Management. “The center will allow us to award scholarships to significantly improve access for women in our programs. It will provide thought leadership in how women play an important role in corporate America. It also will give us an opportunity to provide experiential learning and engagement opportunities that will extend the impact of a Krannert education beyond the years a student spends on campus.”

As an example, the center recently supported Purdue participants in the InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge competition. The contest was launched this year by the U.S. Small Business Administration to highlight innovative products and services designed to empower the lives of women and families. A Purdue graduate, Pu Wang, was chosen as one of 10 finalists.

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