Western Washington University
09/30/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/30/2026 12:12
CBE Business Summit returns to Seattle: Celebrating 50 years of impact and innovation
WWU News
CBE Business Summit returns to Seattle: Celebrating 50 years of impact and innovation
Join alumni, students, and business leaders for a day of learning, networking and inspiration
September 30, 2026
Photo: Clockwise from top left: David McFadden, Annie Gianunzio, Gokul Chandar Dakshina, Anita Zanchettin, Bob Donegan and Sinead Slattery.
Event information
Date and time:
Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, 1 - 8 p.m.
Location:
Bell Harbor Conference Center,
2211 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121
Registration:
To mark 50 years of excellence in business education and leadership, Western Washington University's College of Business and Economics will host the CBE Business Summit in Seattle on Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Bell Harbor Conference Center.
The event brings together business leaders from across the Pacific Northwest to explore the trends and challenges shaping today's business landscape with a day of connection and professional growth.
"We're excited to bring back the CBE Business Summit as a centerpiece of our 50th anniversary celebrations," said CBE Dean Deanna Kennedy. "This event is about more than marking a milestone - it's about bringing together alumni, students, faculty, and partners to celebrate the past, present and future of CBE. By connecting and learning from each other, we're preparing today's professionals to flourish in tomorrow's business environment."
Designed for young managers, emerging leaders, and early- to mid-career professionals, the agenda offers an afternoon packed with breakout sessions. Attendees can choose from topics such as managing AI-savvy employees, building strong company culture, career reinvention, strategic networking, and leading through uncertainty.
Western alum David McFadden, '84, environmental science, political science, former managing director of economic development at the Port of Seattle, will deliver the keynote address. McFadden's distinguished career has spanned more than three decades of advancing economic development and championing sustainability and equity across Washington state.
Other sessions will be led by industry leaders including Gokul Chandar Dakshina, senior vice president at SanDisk Corp. and former Amazon executive; Bob Donegan, long-time manager at Ivar's; WWU alum Annie Gianunzio, '10, accounting, strategic finance manager at Taco Bell; Sinead Slattery, founder of Wilton Coaching & Consulting and former Google executive; and Anita Zanchettin, director of talent development at DoorDash.
As the day transitions from learning to connection, participants will enjoy a networking reception, catered dinner, and a chance to build new relationships, reconnect with alumni, and expand their professional network within the extended CBE community.
Learn more about the 50th anniversary of the College of Business and Economics here.
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