Executive Fireside Chat
This intimate, limited-seat event is designed to offer students an experience that goes beyond a typical campus program. By creating direct access to C-suite level executives and industry leaders, students gain meaningful conversations, real-world insights, and relationships that can shape their academic and professional paths.
Experiences like this provide the following:
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Rare access: Direct, meaningful 1:1 conversations with senior leaders in an intimate setting.
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Stronger connection: Builds community, confidence, and a deeper sense of belonging.
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Real-world value: Practical insights that enhance academic and career readiness.
Upcoming Event:
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Date: March 11
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Time: 5:30 - 7:00 pm (PST)
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Location: Ullman Commons 100/101
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Dress Code: Business Casual
Registration coming soon!
Guest Speaker:
Coming Soon!
Past Guest Speakers:
Fall 2025:

Joel Silva
Chief Financial Officer, Vallarta Supermarkets
Spring 2025:

Bryan Bradley
President, Group One (ret.) Limited
Bryan Bradley is a high-impact global senior executive with leadership strengths in Retail, Recording, Music Production, Music Publishing/Intellectual Property, Tour and Cinema Audio, and broader Professional Audio. Currently, he is President of Group One Ltd., a holding and distribution company of leading professional audio and lighting brands from around the world including BlueSky, Calrec, Digico, Klang, MC2, Avolites, Elektralite, and others.
Before joining Group One, Bryan served as Senior Vice President and General Manager for Harman International’s Entertainment Division, as General Manager of JBL Professional, and as COO of Alfred Music Publishing. Throughout his corporate career, he created and led high performing global teams in sales, marketing, R&D, distribution, QA, finance, business development and HR.
Bryan is a board member of NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants, and he holds an MBA from California Lutheran University.
Fall 2024:

Christopher Lytton
President and COO, The Jim Henson Company
Christopher Lytton is a senior entertainment executive with deep leadership experience across film, television, and media operations, spanning strategy, business affairs, and legal oversight. He currently serves as President & COO of The Jim Henson Company, where he is responsible for day-to-day operations, corporate strategy, and enterprise-wide business execution across the company’s global portfolio.
Prior to his current role, Christopher held senior operating and legal leadership positions at Route One Films, Exclusive Media Group, Hammer & Spitfire, Holding Pictures / Beacon Pictures, and Morgan Creek Entertainment. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for integrity and commercial judgment, working closely with talent, studios, financiers, distributors, and international partners. Christopher holds a JD from SMU Dedman School of Law, is an active member of the California Bar, and earned his BA cum laude from UCLA in Theater, Film & Television and History.
Spring 2024:

Shannon Shapiro
VP of Global Marketing, Ember
Shannon Shapiro is a senior global marketing executive with extensive experience leading brand, product, and growth strategy across beauty, consumer products, and technology-driven brands. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Global Marketing at Ember Technologies, Inc., where she led worldwide marketing strategy, positioning, and go-to-market execution.
Prior to Ember, Shannon spent eight years at Algenist, progressing through senior marketing leadership roles including Vice President of Marketing and Executive Director of Marketing, where she built and scaled global and operational marketing teams. Earlier in her career, she held product management and analytical roles at JAFRA Cosmetics. Shannon holds an MBA from California Lutheran University and a BA in Political Science from Loyola Marymount University.
Fall 2023:

Marc Rosenmayr
CFO, Redbull North America
Marc Rosenmayr is a senior global finance and operations executive with deep leadership experience across consumer goods, supply chain, technology, and data-driven organizations. He currently serves as CFO and EVP Finance, Operations & IT for Red Bull North America, where he holds full P&L responsibility across the U.S. and Canada, overseeing finance, operations, and IT functions at enterprise scale.
Prior to his North America role, Marc led finance across Eastern Europe and Asia Pacific for Red Bull and spent nearly a decade at Johnson Controls in senior FP&A, audit, and process improvement roles, driving large-scale global efficiency initiatives. Known for combining financial rigor with innovation and resilience-focused leadership, Marc holds an MSc in Finance from the University of Graz and completed executive education at Harvard Business School.
Spring 2023:

Marina Lubinsky
SVP & CIO, The Cheesecake Factory
Marina Lubinsky is a senior information technology executive with extensive experience leading enterprise-scale technology, data, and digital transformation across global organizations. She currently serves as Senior Vice President & CIO at The Cheesecake Factory, where she oversees IT strategy, systems modernization, data platforms, and technology operations supporting a complex, high-growth hospitality business.
Prior to The Cheesecake Factory, Marina held CIO and senior IT leadership roles at Oakwood Worldwide and AIG, where she led shared services, infrastructure, and large-scale technology programs across international portfolios. Known for strong executive leadership, vendor management, and operational rigor, Marina holds a master’s degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark and completed executive education at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Fall 2022:

Dom Armstrong
Co-Founder & CEO, Vitu
Don Armstrong is a technology entrepreneur and longtime leader in the vehicle-to-government (V2Gov) sector, with deep expertise in regulatory systems, compliance, and digital transformation. He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Vitu, where he leads the vision and strategy behind a platform modernizing vehicle registration, titling, and DMV interactions through scalable digital solutions.
Under Don’s leadership, Vitu has helped redefine how dealerships, drivers, and government agencies interact by streamlining complex regulatory workflows and improving efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. With more than two decades at the helm, Don continues to drive innovation across the V2Gov ecosystem, building technology that anticipates the evolving needs of a highly regulated and mission-critical industry.
Spring 2022:

Pam Kessler
Co-President & CFO, LTC Properties Inc.
Pam Kessler is a seasoned public-company finance executive with deep expertise in real estate investment, capital markets, and corporate leadership. She currently serves as Co-President & Co-CEO of LTC Properties, Inc. (NYSE: LTC), where she helps lead the strategic direction and long-term performance of the healthcare-focused REIT.
Pam previously served as Co-President and CFO and spent more than two decades as EVP and Chief Financial Officer at LTC, overseeing financial strategy, reporting, and investor relations through multiple market cycles. Earlier in her career, she held senior accounting and financial leadership roles at The Ezralow Company, Irvine Apartment Communities, KB Home, and Ernst & Young, building a strong foundation in financial reporting and controls across real estate and public-company environments.
Fall 2021:

Kevin Elms
CFO, Dole Packaged Foods
Kevin Elms is a senior finance executive with broad experience spanning manufacturing, real estate, financial services, and technology across both public and privately held companies. He currently serves as Vice President & CFO of Dole Packaged Foods – North America, part of Dole International, a wholly owned subsidiary of ITOCHU Corporation, where he leads financial strategy, governance, and performance for the North American business.
Prior to Dole, Kevin held senior finance and accounting leadership roles at Decurion Corporation, ArcLight Cinemas, and Clarke American, including serving as acting CFO and sponsoring large-scale ERP implementations. A Certified Public Accountant, Kevin holds a BBA in Accounting from Baylor University and brings decades of operational and financial leadership experience to complex, multi-entity organizations.
Spring 2020:

David Meline
Former EVP and CFO, Amgen
David Meline is a seasoned corporate director and former Fortune 500 chief financial officer with extensive leadership experience across healthcare, life sciences, and global industrial companies. He most recently served as Chief Financial Officer of Moderna, where he helped guide the company through a period of unprecedented growth, scale, and global impact.
Previously, David was CFO of Amgen and 3M, and earlier held senior finance leadership roles at General Motors. Known for his disciplined financial stewardship, capital allocation expertise, and steady leadership through complex operating environments, David brings a broad, enterprise-wide perspective to boards and executive teams.
Fall 2019:

Kim Congdon
Transformational Leader and Human Resources Executive
Kim Congdon is a transformational human resources executive and trusted C-suite partner known for aligning culture, people strategy, and business performance to drive measurable results. She brings deep experience across tech startups, high-growth midmarket companies, Fortune 100 organizations, and global brands, with a leadership philosophy centered on People, Performance, and Profit.
Most recently, Kim served as Global Vice President of Human Resources and Talent Management at Herbalife Nutrition, leading large-scale HR transformation, digital enablement, and DEI initiatives across a global footprint. She has also held senior people leadership roles at Fullscreen, Inc. and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Today, through her P3 People Consulting practice, Kim advises organizations navigating growth, change, and transformation with a focus on building resilient, high-performing cultures.
Spring 2019:

Bryan Palbaum
Former President & COO, Trader Joe's Company
Bryan Palbaum is a seasoned retail executive with deep leadership experience in grocery, consumer operations, and brand-driven business models. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Trader Joe’s, where he helped guide the company’s continued growth while preserving its distinctive culture, customer loyalty, and operational discipline.
During his tenure, Bryan was known for balancing strong financial performance with Trader Joe’s people-first philosophy, fostering an environment that empowered teams, strengthened supplier relationships, and reinforced the brand’s reputation for quality and value. His leadership reflects a long-standing commitment to sustainable growth, operational excellence, and building organizations where culture and performance move in lockstep.