Meet the bridge
Most alumni and friends of SGBE know about our terrific faculty and staff, but I want to introduce you to another invaluable part of SBGE: The Executive Advisory Board. The EAB is an integral ingredient in the success of our students. Recently, we held our 18th annual Social Venture Plan Competition, and many EAB members participated as judges, mentors, and coaches.
The EAB is a group of business and community leaders who regularly present in classes, mentor students, advise faculty on how to keep our curriculum on the cutting edge, contribute financially to SBGE, and much more. EAB members act as a bridge for students entering the world of work.
I am so thankful to work with such a gifted and generous group of people. If you are interested in serving a three-year term on the EAB, email Becky Mouw Johnson. I hope you enjoy meeting some EAB members in this issue as we highlight their incredible contributions to SBGE!
Warm regards,
Ross Stewart
Q&A: Meet three of SBGE's Executive Advisory Board members
We spoke with three members of the Executive Advisory Board's leadership team: Denny Meadows, a higher education strategist at Silver Fern Advisory; Kristie Garrett ’90, vice president and certified financial planning advisor at EP Wealth; and Mike Milojevich '99, vice president of client services and a lead advisor for Highland Private Wealth Management in Bellevue.
Denny Meadows, higher education strategist at Silver Fern Advisory
Why have you taken the time to be part of the EAB?
The reason I give my time, energy, and financial support to SBGE is because, over time, the people at SPU have been unusually warm and welcoming.
How has the EAB changed during your time?
The executive leadership team, under the leadership of Kristi Drake, re-evaluated the role and structure of the EAB in 2021 with a goal of better serving Dean Stewart and our EAB members. Our small leadership team researched alternative advisory board missions, structures, and impacts through a benchmarking initiative across eight peer business schools. The insights were both eye-opening and inspiring. We applied the insights to devise a more engaged, streamlined advisory board that actively participates in priority SBGE initiatives.
Do you have any memorable experiences with students you’d like to share?
Each year I volunteer for the Social Venture Plan Competition, either as a coach, reader, or judge. No matter the student’s level of knowledge or experience, it’s incredible to see each student step outside their comfort zone to try something new and invest in their own professional development.
Kristie Garrett '90, vice president and certified financial planning advisor at EP Wealth
Why have you taken the time to be part of the EAB?
Dean Ross Stewart was my professor my freshman year, and I wanted to be supportive of what he was building at SPU today. Joining the EAB Leadership team gave me an even closer inside look to the challenges and celebrations of today’s students.
Do you have any memorable experiences with students you’d like to share?
I like to invite mentees to meet in the McKenna Boardroom. It is a real place, and I didn’t get to go in when I was a student. I have had a few student mentees thank me for their first peek into a boardroom. The best meetings are when students ask tough questions and truly listen. I try to provide examples of real-life business experiences so they can take from the conversation what might be beneficial. That seems to resonate much more than saying, "You should do a, b, c …”
What’s a piece of advice you like to share with students?
I always remind students to “never burn a bridge” because you may work with that individual in the future.
Mike Milojevich ’99, vice president of client service and a lead advisor for Highland Private Wealth Management in Bellevue
Why have you taken the time to be part of the EAB?
My time at SPU was very formative. I met my wife and lifelong friends and received an excellent education from the School of Business, grounded in a Christian worldview. The genuine care from my professors — both for my academic success and for me as a person — was unique and instrumental in helping launch me into a productive career and life. Serving on the EAB allows me to help give back so that current students can have a similar experience.
Do you have any memorable experiences with students you’d like to share?
I’ve been privileged to serve as a mentor/coach for many students in the Work Experience Reflection class, now taught by Dr. Kristen Voetmann. One young man in particular was very interested in my role providing holistic wealth management to high net-worth clients, and we had a follow-up coffee meeting. I was able to answer his questions and connect him with a couple of other folks in the industry.
What piece of advice do you like to offer students?
Begin to build your professional network early in your career. Find your professional people and build relationships with them, always looking for ways to add value and help free of expectation.
Tech leader's class impact
By Katya Drozdova, professor of business, information systems, and political science
Abel Cruz MBA '15, principal customer solutions manager at Amazon Web Services, has been an outstanding guest speaker in two of my management information systems classes (MIS BUS 3620). This course is critical for SBGE undergraduate business majors and open to others across SPU.
Many students have benefitted from Cruz’s visits, with immediate as well as lasting impact. He has shared valuable knowledge and career suggestions the students could apply immediately, as well as offered insights and inspiration to help sustain the students’ personal growth long-term. For example, the class has learned first-hand about some of the world’s most technologically sophisticated and globally impactful companies, drawing on Cruz’s deep expertise, advanced education, and diverse work experience.
Cruz’s approachable classroom presence has also given the students an opportunity to engage with a dedicated professional and Christian leader who exemplifies the SBGE mission
Cruz has emphasized the importance of learning about technology as part of any career and calling. He has also encouraged students to explore connections among technology, business, innovation and, ultimately, the impact on human well-being.
[On June 3, Cruz joined Seattle Pacific University as the assistant vice president for Information Technology.]
Student Perspectives
We asked three SBGE students to reflect on their interactions with the EAB.
Jenna Gillam '24, double major in business adminstration and economics
I met Bonnie Sellen, an HR consultant, at an EAB luncheon. I expressed my interest in working in HR post-graduation.
We exchanged numbers and arranged a time for her to meet with me on campus this fall.
She shared her experience working in HR and provided advice for job hunting. Shortly after this conversation, I started applying for jobs and landed my position as a Health and Benefits Specialist at Aon.
I am so grateful to Bonnie for taking me under her wing and being a positive mentor for students at SPU. The relationships I’ve built with members of the EAB have been extremely valuable and meaningful to me.
Canyon Farmer '25, double major in accounting and business administration
At a panel, I heard about the success of different members and listened to them talk to each other about the modern business environment. That experience encouraged me as a student who will be jumping into the business world shortly.
Joyce Kwon '25, international affairs and politics, double major in philosophy and economics
I've interacted with EAB members at SBGE events and luncheons. It's been a pleasure getting to know devoted professionals and having the space to be curious and learn.
Freya Maternity wins Social Venture Competition
Eleven teams pitched their ideas to improve the world at Seattle Pacific University’s 18th annual Social Venture Plan Competition Showcase on Thursday, April 18. The social ventures reflected the issues that are on the hearts and minds of college students today from homelessness in Guatemala to education in Laos. The students pitched everything from sustainable phone chargers powered by movement to holding politicians accountable through data science.
The Showcase event — the finale of the annual SVPC — saw Freya Maternity win the $10,000 Herbert B. Jones Grand Prize. Nearly 60 judges representing the business, non-profit, academic, and professional communities evaluated the students’ social venture plans.
The grand prize winner, Freya Maternity, birthed a fresh approach to maternity clothing, proposing an e-commerce rental service that provides pregnant women stylish and sustainable options as a convenient alternative to traditional one-time purchases. Maternity wear is more likely to be disposed of and wind up in landfills since it’s clothing for a temporary time. The Freya Maternity team included senior business administration majors Ava Dreon, Shawn Bowen, and Lauren Duisenberg; senior business administration and accounting double major Canyon Farmer; junior business administration major Amelia Perez; and junior global development and economics double major Haley Blain.
Financial sponsors of the SVPC include the Herbert B. Jones Foundation, the Scott and Kathleen Cummins Family Foundation, Tschetter Group, Northwest Center, Highland Private Wealth Management, Pioneer Human Services, and Skills, Inc. The competition is organized by the Center for Applied Learning in the School of Business, Government, and Economics at SPU.
Al Erisman receives integrity in business award
Al Erisman, professor emeritus of business, was honored as the 2024 Frank Haas Integrity in Business Award on May 6. The annual Frank Haas Integrity in Business Award is given to a businessperson who contributes to community flourishing by integrating faith into every aspect of life.
Erisman is currently a writer, speaker, and board member including chair of the board for the Theology of Work Project and founding board member of KIROS. He is a senior fellow for both the Center for Faithful Business and the Institute for Marketplace Transformation.
Faith & Co. subjects meetup for the first time in Texas
Principals for Seasons 1–4 of the Faith & Co. films gathered at Laity Lodge in Leakey, Texas, March 20-24.
Jeff Van Duzer, CFB senior fellow and former dean of SBGE, wrote a blog post about the experience. “This was a rich time of sharing stories and being inspired by the choices others had made,” Van Duzer said in his post. “Over and over what emerged was a powerful testimony both to the providence of God but also to many personal and painful struggles along the way.”
Empowering human flourishing
Romanita Hairston, CEO of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, delivered a lecture on April 30 at SPU for the Burton & Ralene Walls Distinguished Speaker Series.
Hairston is an accomplished team builder, convener, and leader who spoke on "Empowering Human Flourishing: Tri-Sector Solutions for the Common Good."
Hairston has worked in the nonprofit, for profit, and philanthropic sectors alongside a consistent commitment to board service.
Ethical leadership lecture
Richard Stearns, president emeritus of World Vision U.S. and author of Lead Like it Matters to God, interviewed the regional president of Hawai’i Pacific for Alaska Airlines, Joe Sprague at the Bruce Kennedy Ethical Leadership Lecture on May 23 at SPU. Sprague has been with Alaska for more than 17 years and is currently leading the merger with Hawaiian Airlines.
Become a data scientist at SPU
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