Upper Gwinn Commons

Speaker: Romanita Hairston, Chief Executive Officer, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust

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This year, the annual Burton and Ralene Walls Distinguished Speaker Series Luncheon features Romanita Hairston who will present Empowering Human Flourishing: The Importance of Tri-Sector Solutions For The Common Good. This is our 21th year of introducing outstanding business leaders to our students.

As Chief Executive Officer, Romanita oversees all activities of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. An accomplished team builder, convener, and leader, Romanita draws on more than two decades of  experience and service in her leadership and stewardship of the foundation’s mission. This includes work in the nonprofit (World Vision), for profit (Microsoft), and philanthropic (Murdock Trust) sectors alongside a consistent commitment to board service (Candid, Global Women, India Partners, Urban Alliance, Urban Impact, Kids in Need, and Impact Latin America) born out of a desire to engage in her highest and best use. A graduate of the University of Washington, Romanita earned her MBA from Eastern University (Philadelphia).

Sponsorship provided by the Burton and Ralene Walls Distinguished Speaker Series Endowment

The Burton and Ralene Walls Distinguished Speaker Series brings a prominent national or regional leader to the SPU School of Business, Government, and Economics (SBGE) each year. Through this program, decision-makers, risk-takers, and leaders of the national and regional corporate world share their personal experiences and philosophies, while students and faculty members receive real-world insights into issues they regularly approach in the classroom.

This endowment was established with Seattle Pacific University in 2013 to further the entrepreneurial spirit and knowledge of SPU students. Burton Walls is an alumnus of SPU with a major in business. His uncle, Paul Walls, served SPU as a member of the Board of Trustees for 31 years. His father, F. Wesley Walls, also served SPU with distinction for 38 years in various capacities, including founding director of the School of Business. Burton and Ralene are longtime supporters of SPU.