Marquette Welcomes Chairman of Case New Holland Kathy Hudson as Keynote Speaker for Business Leaders Forum Luncheon Released: Feb. 1, 2005 Marquette University is pleased to welcome Kathy Hudson, chairman of CNH Global, N.V., as part of the Business Leaders Forum luncheon on Wednesday, February 23, 2005.   Ms. Hudson's presentation is titled “Dimensions of a Positive Work Environment – from Diversity to Dilbert.”   The event is open to the public; to register call (414) 288-7431.  For more information, log on to http://www.marquette.edu/blf. Established in 1999, the Business Leaders Forum is a speaker series sponsored by Marquette University's College of Business Administration.  The forum provides a setting for nationally recognized business leaders to engage in discussions and interact with students, faculty and local business leaders.   The program enables Marquette to build practical knowledge into its rigorous business curriculum, exploring current trends, issues and practices in business. Following the luncheon keynote address, Ms. Hudson will share personal insights and knowledge from her years of business expertise with students and faculty in the College of Business Administration. "Kathy became the first woman CEO of a publicly traded company in Wisconsin when she took the reins of the Brady Corporation.  She guided Brady through a period of unprecedented growth, establishing herself along the way as a tremendous leader both in the business world and in the Milwaukee community.   Since Marquette University shares with Kathy an unending quest for excellence and an uncompromising commitment to principled leadership, we are enthusiastic to hear the words she will share at the Business Leaders Forum,” said Marquette President Robert Wild, S.J. "The Business Leaders Forum provides our students with an invaluable opportunity to interact and learn from our nation's top business leaders.  We are honored that Kathy Hudson accepted the invitation to speak to our students and faculty as well as the surrounding business community.  Her insights into the business world put into perspective the lessons taught in the classroom,” said Dr. David L. Shrock, Dean of Marquette's College of Business Administration. Marquette University has attracted leaders at the top of their respective professions to speak at the Business Leaders Forum.  Past speakers include: Jeffrey R. Immelt - chairman of the Board and CEO of G.E.; Don H. Davis, Jr. - chairman and CEO Rockwell Automation; Wayne Sanders - CEO, Kimberly Clark Corporation; Dick Burke - chairman, Trek Bicycle Corp.; and John Morgridge - chairman of the Board, Cisco Systems. The Kathleen and Frank Thometz Foundation has made the Business Leaders Forum speaker series possible through a special endowment. About Ms. Hudson Kathy Hudson, non-executive chairman of CNH Global, N.V.  Prior to CNH Global, Hudson was formerly president and CEO of Brady Corporation, a global manufacturer of industrial identification solutions headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and traded on the New York Stock Exchange.  In 2003, Hudson retired from Brady and became the company's chairman of the board. Prior to Brady, Hudson spent 24 years at Eastman Kodak company.  In addition to her position at CNH Global, Hudson is lead director of Charming Shoppes, Inc., chair of the board of trustees of the Medical College of Wisconsin, and vice-chair of the board of trustees of Alverno College.  She is also active in inner city development with Milwaukee's Walnut Way Conservation Corporation.  Hudson lives in Mequon, Wisconsin, with her husband Robert O. Hudson and their son Rob. Office of Public Affairs Contacts Brigid O'Brien Miller Director of University Communication Phone: (414) 288-7445 Send e-mail Anne Broeker Sr. Media Relations Specialist Phone: (414) 288-0286 Send e-mail