Leaders Who Think Differently and Make a Difference

For over 90 years, the Michael G. Foster School of Business has successfully developed many of our nation's great business leaders. By rolling up their sleeves to solve complex, real-world problems, our graduates are changing the way business is done.

Join us in celebrating the game-changers who have led their industries in innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and customer services. Our Fostering Innovation lunch series will be hosted by Dean Jiambalvo and features leaders who combine theory and practice in order to rise to the challenges of a constantly changing business environment.

You may also register by calling the UWAA at 206-543-0540.

Schedule

The Cup Half Full? Marketing Strategies in a Changing World
February 3, 2009, Columbia Tower Club, Seattle
Speaker: Michelle Gass, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Category, Starbucks
Moderator: Bruce Avolio, Foster School Ingersoll Professor of Management, and Executive Director, Foster Center for Leadership

In her current role, Michelle Gass leads the global marketing and product management function for Starbucks. Prior to this, she led the Global Strategy function and worked with the senior team in developing what is now the blueprint for Starbucks' strategic effort. Michelle joined Starbucks in 1996 as the marketing manager for Frappuccino blended beverages. In 2001, as vice president Beverage Category, she spent several years creating significant innovation for the Starbucks Beverage portfolio. She was promoted to senior vice president U.S. Product Management in 2003, where she managed product and innovation efforts for U.S. company-operated and licensed stores. Michelle holds an MBA from the University of Washington and a B.S. from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She was recently named by Advertising Age as one of their "Women to Watch 2007."

Social Innovation in Modern Business
March 3, 2009, Columbia Tower Club, Seattle
Speaker: Melissa Waggener Zorkin, CEO, President and Founder, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide
Moderator: Barry Mitzman, former anchor of "Serious Money" on KCTS

Under Melissa Waggener Zorkin’s direction, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide has grown from a two-person agency in 1983 to one of the largest public relations firms in the world, with more than 800 employees globally. Melissa focuses her energy and vision to help Waggener Edstrom clients introduce world-changing innovations that motivate, activate and inspire audiences around the world. Her vision and leadership are instrumental to Waggener Edstrom’s international reputation as an innovative strategic communications agency. She has provided strategic counsel to major brands including Microsoft, IBM, Intel and eBay, and has helped guide emerging brands and startups to success through the IPO stage.

News in the Internet Era
April 7, 2009, Columbia Tower Club, Seattle
Speaker: Mike Davidson, Founder and CEO, Newsvine
Moderator: Christine Chen, Principal, Chen Communications, and former news anchor for Q13

Mike Davidson is the CEO and co-creator of Seattle-based online news media company, Newsvine, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSNBC. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Newsvine.com as well as community integration efforts between Newsvine and MSNBC. Newsvine assembles stories from numerous worldwide sources including the Associated Press, The New York Times and the BBC, allowing users to edit articles for individual use, and even write their own content for the site. Before co-founding Newsvine in 2005, Mike worked for several years as art director and manager of media product development at both ESPN.com and the Walt Disney Internet Group. Mike is a graduate of the Foster School of Business, and pursued his graduate studies at Oxford University.

Location and Parking
Columbia Tower Club is located in Columbia Center (previously known as the Bank of America Tower), 701 - 5th Avenue, Seattle. Get directions to Columbia Center or view a map showing its location. Parking is available in the self-park garage located beneath the building on Columbia, second entrance. For rates, call (206) 622-2010.