Up Close with Business Leaders

Since 2002, the Albers School of Business and Economics has brought to campus many top industry leaders from the world of business for its Executive Speaker Series and that tradition continues with its 2023-24 lineup.

The new season kicks off this fall with Ketul Patel, CEO of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, who will speak on October 17. All events—5:30–6:30 p.m. in Seattle University’s Pigott Auditorium—are in-person and open to the general public.

The speaker series offers a rare opportunity for the campus and greater community to get a front-row seat with speakers—from CEOs to Presidents—who share insights and unique perspectives while responding to various topics and questions during a Q&A. The series spotlights another way that Albers connects students with the business community.

“The Albers Executive Speaker Series is a signature event for the school, gathering the country’s best and brightest leaders to share their wisdom and insights with our students,” says Dean Joseph Phillips, PhD. “We are especially proud of this year’s lineup of speakers who come from a variety of verticals and backgrounds and look forward to their leadership advice, the challenges they have faced and what they foresee for their businesses.”

Here’s a closer look at the full lineup for 2023-24:

October 17, 2023
Ketul Patel, CEO, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health

Ketul Patel is CEO of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) and Division President for the Pacific Northwest Region of CommonSpirit Health. Additionally, Patel has executive oversight over the Bailey-Boushay House, the Benaroya Research Institute and the Virginia Mason Institute. The Pacific Northwest Division of CommonSpirit Health encompasses VMFH as well as two hospitals in Oregon.

Register for this event. 

January 24, 2024
Preston Feight, CEO, PACCAR

Preston Feight is Chief Executive Officer of PACCAR Inc and a member of the Seattle University Board of Directors. In his 25 years with PACCAR, Feight has held positions as Director of Product Planning, Chief Engineer, Assistant General Manager of Sales and Marketing, General Manager of Kenworth Trucks, DAF President and Executive Vice President. 

February 8, 2024
Sean Tresvant, Global Chief Brand & Strategy Officer
(January 2024: CEO, Taco Bell)

Born and raised in Seattle and an SU MBA alum, Sean Tresvant joined Taco Bell in January 2022 as the Global Chief Brand Officer. In February 2023, he was elevated to Global Chief Brand & Strategy Officer and in January will become Chief Executive Officer of Taco Bell, succeeding current CEO Mark King after he retires at the end of this year. Mr. Tresvant currently leads a multi-functional team overseeing strategy, global communications functions, food innovation, architecture & design, as well as the Taco Bell international businesses. As CEO, he will assume global responsibility for driving Taco Bell’s growth strategies, franchise operations and overall performance.

April 9, 2024
Barry Posner, Leadership Scholar and Author, The Leadership Challenge

Barry Posner is the Michael J. Accolti, S.J. Professor of Leadership and Chair of the Management and Entrepreneurship Department at Santa Clara University. He is the co-author (with Jim Kouzes) of the award-winning and best-selling leadership book, The Leadership Challenge. He received the Association for Talent Development’s highest award for Distinguished Contribution to Workplace Learning and Performance, was recognized as one of the Top 50 leadership coaches in America, was ranked among the Most Influential HR Thinkers in the world by HR magazine and was included among the World’s Top 75 Leadership and Management Experts by Inc. magazine.

April 25, 2024
Krish Srinivasan, CEO, PCC Community Markets

Krish Srinivasan is the Chief Executive Officer of PCC Community Markets. He joined PCC in 2018, where he served as CFO until 2022. With 25 years of leadership experience, he built the finance infrastructure and finance teams at Remitly and Lyft. He has held leadership positions at Amazon and Microsoft, driving a range of strategic endeavors. Additionally, Srinivasan serves as treasurer on the board of Splash International, a local nonprofit.

Learn more about the Albers Executive Speaker series.