Seth Hudson Joins Make48 Advisory Board: A Vision for Innovation

Menomonie, Wis. (July 30, 2025) - Make48 is thrilled to announce the appointment of Seth Hudson, Executive Director of the Office of Corporate Relations and Economic Engagement (OCREE) at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, to its esteemed Advisory Board. Hudson joins a distinguished group that includes industry leaders Matt Nuccio and Dougal Grimes, bringing a wealth of experience and a shared vision for fostering innovation and hands-on learning.

Seth Hudson with Amy Gray and Katie Cappozzo

Hudson's deep expertise at UW-Stout, Wisconsin’s only Polytechnic University, aligns perfectly with Make48's mission. "I believe this is a perfect opportunity to give back by joining the advisory board. We've worked so closely with your team and had great success," Hudson remarked, reflecting on the university's productive two-year partnership with Make48. Seth emphasized the natural synergy between UW-Stout's polytechnic approach, which integrates applied learning, business, industry collaboration, and career-focused experiences into student instruction. This aligns with Make48's commitment to skill-building and innovation.

With over 25+ years of extensive public and private sector experience in economic and community development, Seth is a seasoned professional whose career spans local, regional, and state government. A certified Economic Development Finance Professional, Hudson holds degrees in both economics and political science from the University of Southern Maine. His experience across sectors equips him with a profound understanding of diverse organizational needs and communication styles. "I understand the various perspectives that contribute to a successful Make48 event, and I believe this understanding, coupled with strategic partnerships, is crucial for Make48’s objectives," he explained. This ability to speak the language of various entities will be invaluable in positioning Make48 for broader partnerships and strategic growth. 

Hudson believes UW-Stout's expertise in training and educational outreach is a significant asset. His office already holds a state contract to train instructors for Fabrication (Fab) Labs across Wisconsin, emphasizing hands-on learning. Additionally, UW-Stout's Career and Technical Education program prepares students for, among other areas, a career in teaching, such as future technical college instructors. Hudson sees these capabilities as vital for Make48's new curriculum model, which engages middle and high school classrooms in semester-long projects. "It’s a perfect opportunity for us to help be part of that training of those instructors within the model of Make48," he stated.

Make48’s strategic shift towards expanding the 48-hour inventing challenge into a semester-long school program truly excites Hudson. He's particularly enthusiastic about cultivating an "entrepreneur tinkering mindset" in students. Drawing from his own experience as a parent whose children thrived  within the Montessori hands-on approach to learning, he recognizes a critical "underlying need for this within our schools."

UW-Stout's commitment to Make48 extends beyond advisory support. The university is set to host the semifinals next year and will also have a team competing. "Our packaging and industrial design program will be competing collectively on that challenge," Hudson shared, highlighting UW-Stout's active participation in the fall of 2025 and their role as a host in 2026.

Hudson’s extensive background includes serving on numerous advisory boards at local, regional, and state levels, where he has often taken on leadership roles as President or Chair. His forte lies in "building out either the advisory group itself or the organization, streamlining and/or developing new programs." This history of launching new ideas and projects underscores his strategic contribution to the Make48 board. "I appreciate  the different perspectives both the private and public sectors bring to any endeavor, that's important with what Make48 wants to do, because you've got to partner with all of them," he explained. This ability to speak the language of various entities will be invaluable in positioning Make48 for broader partnerships and strategic growth. 

Seth Hudson's appointment marks a significant step for Make48, as his leadership and UW-Stout's comprehensive resources promise to enhance Make48's ability to drive innovation and empower future generations of makers.