Upper Gwinn Commons

Speaker: Dr. Dorothy Nyambi, CEO, Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA)

Breaking Barriers: An Inspiring Journey of a Leader in International Development

This year, the annual Burton and Ralene Walls Distinguished Speaker Series Luncheon features Dr. Dorothy Nyambi who will present Breaking Barriers: An Inspiring Journey of a Leader in International Development. This is our 20th year of introducing outstanding business leaders to our students.

Dr. Dorothy Nyambi is the president and CEO of Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), a nonprofit international development organization with a mission to create business solutions to poverty around the world. Dr. Nyambi is a thought leader in international development, devoted to creating dynamic organizations that respect diversity, equity, and inclusion and succeed in times of challenge and change. She also has experience providing knowledge-based, strategic leadership for effective implementation of an organization’s mission and goals.

With a 25+ year career in the sector and applied governance experience, Dr. Nyambi’s work is founded on and informed by unique lived experience and a commitment to authentic leadership. She has significant and meaningful lived experience in the global south working in a wide range of sectors. She consistently demonstrates an ability to step forward and challenge the status quo, re-imagine and strengthen business processes, and challenge old paradigms and programs in support of respectful human-centered design thinking.

A strong believer in subsidiarity, join us to hear how business-led, human-centered global development is key to sustainable long-term development and practiced, first-hand. And learn how creating short-term gains and long-term solutions to global challenges combined with Dorothy’s unique perspective of Mennonite Economics continue to inform her Commitment to Serve.

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

The 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 Wall 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.