Nicole Rybeck Wolcott: 2025 Early Career Award recipient

BSIE and French ’09
Senior Manager of Early Talent Programs, Kohler Co.

An industrial engineer whose outstanding leadership has made lasting contributions to talent development and university partnerships.

Early in her career in a leadership development program at GE, Nicole Rybeck Wolcott had the chance to take a “bubble assignment” and work as part of an international team to develop solutions for attracting, developing and retaining young talent.

“Being able to jump in, problem-solve and come up with recommendations as part of that team—and then to share those with our highest-level leaders in the organization—was both special and transformational for me so early in my career,” she says. “That kind of kicked me onto this path exploring HR.”

Wolcott has since grown into a leader in the world of talent development and human resources. At Kohler Co., she leads a team that runs all of the organization’s internship, co-op and entry-level leadership development programs. After stints at GE Healthcare and Meta, Wolcott joined Kohler Co. in 2023 and was named to Milwaukee Business Journal’s 40 under 40 list in 2025.

“I truly have the best job,” she says. “I am grateful to have this opportunity to help grow the next generation of leaders and position them for success. It’s incredibly rewarding and full circle, given I’m the product of so many people, including mentors and managers, that poured into me early in my own career.”

How did your engineering education enable your success?

My engineering education from UW set me up to be a solid problem-solver. You can put me in any situation and I’ll find a path forward; it just may not be as linear as initially anticipated. The other piece that, in retrospect, stands out to me is the group projects and cross-disciplinary teams we had in undergrad. I now recognize how that played a role in building my appreciation for the different skills and competencies people are bringing to the table.

Which engineering professor made the greatest impact on you?

My freshman year, Professor (Emerita) Pascale Carayon came to one of my intro engineering lectures and shared a bit about her work. I remember cold-emailing her after that and asking her if there was anything I could do in her office that summer. She ended up giving me the opportunity to come work part time as an office assistant, which I did for a year or two. Getting to see her world up close was eye-opening and taught me a lot about what it means to be a leader, especially as a woman in STEM. I have so much respect for her, not only for the incredible work she has done, but also for how she has lifted up others along the way.

Which do you prefer?

Winter or summer in Madison?
Summer. I feel like everyone chooses summer, but I will say: I grew up ice skating at Tenney Park and it’s a pretty compelling argument for winter. So, it’s summer just by an inch.

Fun on the Terrace or fun on Lake Mendota?
Terrace. The energy is tough to beat, and I love that you always run into someone you know.

Bascom Hill or Observatory Hill?
Bascom Hill. It’s a good calf workout and I love the flamingo-flocking legacy.

Engineering Mall or Library Mall?
Engineering Mall, even though it looks a little different these days. Let’s say Engineering Mall, circa the mid-2000s.

Favorite Babcock ice cream flavor?
I love them all, but I am a blue moon lifer.