Learning from leaders

The Dean’s Speaker Series returns for the spring semester, offering in-person events as well as two virtual events.

Hosted by Dean Doug Shackelford and the Frank H. Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, the series brings world-class leaders to speak at UNC Kenan-Flagler. Experts share the highlights, challenges and turning points of their career paths and perspectives on a broad range of timely issues.

Machelle Baker Sanders, North Carolina Secretary of Commerce, on Feb. 9

In February 2021, Gov. Roy Cooper appointed Machelle Baker Sanders as North Carolina’s next secretary of commerce.

Sanders brings 30 years of strong management and leadership experience as a seasoned pharmaceutical and biotechnology executive, previously serving as vice president of manufacturing and general manager of Biogen’s largest manufacturing facility in Research Triangle Park.

She’s also held leadership positions overseeing manufacturing, global quality assurance and quality control functions at Biogen, Purdue Pharmaceuticals and Diosynth-Akzo Nobel. 

Andrew Rose, CEO and President of Worthington Industries, on Feb. 16

Andy Rose (BSBA ’92)joined Worthington Industries as vice president and chief financial officer in 2008, playing a key role to preserve liquidity and financial stability through the Great Recession.

In 2014, he was promoted to executive vice president and CFO, which enabled him to serve an instrumental role in advancing the company’s financial and capital allocation strategies before being named president of Worthington Industries in 2018 and CEO in 2020.

Rose previously served as a senior investment professional at MCG Capital Corporation. He also served as partner, co-founder and member of the investment committee at Peachtree Equity Partners, a private equity fund backed by Goldman Sachs.

Hope Holding Bryant, Vice Chairman of First Citizens Bank, on March 29

Hope Holding Bryant (BA ’85, MBA ’90) serves as vice chairman of the combined First Citizens Bank and corporate sales executive.

Her responsibilities include management of markets in Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Oregon and Washington state.

Bryant also has oversight of wealth management and business services, including SBA, strategic commercial real estate, and commercial and industrial lending.

She joined the bank in 1985, worked in several areas and served as president of the former IronStone Bank subsidiary before being named vice chairman in 2011.

Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo, Global CMO of Prime Video and Amazon Studios, on April 12

Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo (BSBA ’97) is a widely recognized builder of top global brands, the global chief marketing officer (CMO) of Amazon Prime Video and Studios.

Prior to this role, she served as global CMO and senior vice president for MAC Cosmetics, a multi-billion dollar cultural icon and the world’s top makeup brand.

Ojo previously served as CMO for consumer beauty at Coty and held brand and general management roles at Unilever, Reckitt Benckiser PLC and General Mills Corporation. She has earned more than 50 awards and honors during the course of her career for driving outstanding, market-leading results and developing creative campaigns that motivate consumers to act.

Learn more about the Dean’s Speaker Series and register here.