The School of Journalism and Mass Communication is excited to welcome four new members to its Board of Visitors: Phil Kanfer (BA’02), Tom Lea (BA’09), Cara Lombardo (MA’16) and Molly Winding Dewey (BA’15). These new members have distinguished themselves in their respective fields and will provide insights from a variety of industries, including data and analytics, financial reporting, real estate technology and entrepreneurship.
“We are incredibly grateful to welcome Phil, Tom, Cara and Molly to the Board of Visitors,” said SJMC Director Michael W. Wagner. “Their expertise, perspective and commitment to the School will be invaluable as we prepare our students to navigate an ever-changing communications landscape. Most importantly, their generosity and dedication help us create meaningful opportunities for our students, strengthen their education and connections to industry, and ultimately improve their lives both during their time at UW–Madison and beyond.”
The SJMC established its Board of Visitors in 1996 to help the School engage with supporters and alumni and retain a professional and relevant competitive edge in journalism and mass communication education. The board meets twice a year to consult with faculty and staff and offer insights into our curriculum and service based on their industry experience. Get to know our new members and see the full list of Board of Visitors current and emeritus members.
Phil Kanfer (BA’02) – Founder & CEO, Market Lane Advisors
Phil Kanfer is the Founder and CEO of Market Lane Advisors, a “PropTech” consulting firm that operates as a fractional Chief Innovation Officer for real estate owners nationally. Phil advises on over 75 million square feet of commercial space and over 12,000 multifamily units for some of the largest, most prestigious owners in the U.S. Through Market Lane, Phil helps to ensure his clients and their assets are on the forefront of technology, advising on solutions such as AI, business intelligence & data analytics tools, energy management, property management solutions, etc.
Prior to founding Market Lane, Phil helped start one of the first PropTech companies in the industry, WiredScore, the organization behind the internationally recognized “WiredScore” and “SmartScore” certifications recognizing commercial buildings that demonstrate best-in-class technology.
Born and raised in New York, Phil is a UW–Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication grad who resides in NYC with his wife, Laura, and his twins Riley and Sloane. Phil loves the Badgers, walking the streets of NYC, watching his kids play sports and is a big foodie!
Tom Lea (BA’09) – Director of Agency Data and Analytics, American Family Insurance
Tom Lea serves as Director of Agency Data and Analytics at American Family Insurance, a role he has held since July 2026. Lea’s team supports day-to-day business operations for the agency distribution channel by providing foundational and operational data, analytics and insights that inform growth, profitability and retention efforts. American Family Insurance is the nation’s 12th-largest property and casualty insurer, ranking No. 226 on the Fortune 500 list with more than $19 billion in annual revenue.
Lea previously served as Associate Vice President of Enterprise Communications at American Family, where he led communications strategy and operations, working closely with executive leadership to connect employees to the company’s strategy in ways that helped them understand and embrace organizational change while supporting business performance. He also helped establish a unified enterprise communications function, bringing five separate operating company communications teams into a centralized organization with consistent messaging, governance and operational standards.
A graduate of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Lea began his career as a journalist and broadcaster with multiple outlets, including ESPN Wisconsin, where he covered Wisconsin Badgers athletics and co-hosted radio and digital programs. Since joining American Family in 2013, he has held leadership roles spanning communications, talent acquisition, human resources and, most recently, data and analytics.
Lea earned his MBA from the Wisconsin School of Business in 2019 and remains passionate about the intersection of communication, leadership, analytics, and organizational strategy. He, his wife, Katy and their two daughters live in the Madison area and are passionate about all things UW–Madison and Badgers athletics.
Cara Lombardo (MA’16) – Wall Street Editor, The Wall Street Journal
Cara Lombardo is Wall Street Editor for The Wall Street Journal in New York. She co-leads a team of reporters that covers banking, private equity, hedge funds, mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, wealth management, fintech, financial regulation and more. Prior to that, she was a deputy Wall Street bureau chief and a reporter on the team. She spent five years covering M&A and activist investing for the Journal, regularly breaking market-moving news with her colleagues on the biggest and most interesting deals and corporate clashes.
She appeared in “Icahn: The Restless Billionaire,” the HBO documentary about activist Carl Icahn, and was part of a WSJ team that won a Gerald Loeb Award in 2021 for coverage of Amazon’s business practices. She joined the Journal in 2017 and previously covered breaking news and the beverage industry.
Before that, she did political reporting for the AP, worked at the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism and interned on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s investigative team.
Prior to becoming a reporter, Cara worked as a Certified Public Accountant at PwC auditing banks and asset managers. She has an undergraduate and a master’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in journalism, all from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Molly Winding Dewey (BA’15) – Founder & Community Advocate, Romy AI
Molly Winding Dewey is a serial entrepreneur, founder, and community advocate. She is currently building Romy, an AI-powered women’s health platform designed to help women better understand, track, and navigate their health journeys. Previously, she founded Mettacool, a leadership development company focused on advancing women in male-dominated industries, which was acquired in 2024.
A passionate supporter of mission-driven organizations, Molly serves on the boards of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin and Preschool of the Arts. She is recognized for her work at the intersection of technology, health, education, and social impact, and has dedicated her career to building products and communities that empower women and improve access to information and resources.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Journalism & Mass Communication, Molly was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2023 and remains actively engaged in supporting the next generation of communicators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.