February ’25 DEI Digest
Appreciating the beauty of winter.
Do you feel it? The sun seemingly moving farther north, and the sunny, icy cold days and nights and the tiny shoots of green coming out of the hard frost. Mid-winter is giving us signs that spring is on the horizon. It is our choice to notice the little and the big things our community members to demonstrate that we all belong. Let our gratitude be demonstrated as well.
In this fallow season, we continue to plan, create and work to reach our north star, our purpose statement, which begins with, “Together..” Milestones we have reached, we have had the support of colleagues and classmates. Let our gratitude be demonstrated to them as well.
This month Foster events will include the Staff and Faculty Mixer, the Winter Quarter Fostering Community Thursday, and the Celebration of Black Alumni Achievement. Mr. Kelvin Westbrook will be presented with the Spratlen Legacy Award, and Mr. Yophtahe ‘Ty’ Seyoum will be presented the Emerging Leader Award.
What do you want to accomplish in 2025? What support do you need? Please remember that here at Foster we relish questions and we are eager to help, just ask.
Please enjoy reading the good news about inclusion, diversity, and belonging here at Foster.
Together, we are…Foster,
Michelle Purnell-Hepburn
Associate Dean for Inclusion & Diversity
Celebration of Black Alumni Achievement
Feb. 27, 5:30-8:30 pm
Husky Union Building, North Ballroom
Celebrate Black excellence and community at the Celebration of Black Alumni Achievement, inspired by the late Dr. Thaddeus Spratlen, while supporting scholarships that empower the next generation of Black business leaders. Together, we’ll honor achievements, build connections, and raise support for future business leaders. All are welcome to attend and contribute. Register here.
Fostering Community Thursday
Foster Graduate Programs and UW Law held a Fostering Community Thursday on Feb. 13 to celebrate Black History Month. The collaborative event centered on careers and community and featured a distinguished panel including Mark Hatcher, a Sr. Program and Engagement Manager at Amazon Studios/Prime Video, Akua Asare-Konadu, a Technology Transactions & Privacy Associate at Perkins Coie LLP, Jamil Miles-Connel, a Vice President, Marketing and Solutions Global Mid-Market at SAP, and Judge Andrea Jarmon, who presides at King County District Court.
Fostering Inclusive Futures in Accounting
The third annual Fostering Inclusive Futures in Accounting brought together students from all over the country to network with successful professionals in the field of accounting throughout the Seattle business ecosystem.
Through panels and networking sessions, attendees gained valuable insights and mentorship into their career paths. The goal was not just to promote our programs but to support underrepresented students and reduce barriers to the accounting field and graduate education.
FOSTERing MBA Community & Connections Diversity Coffee Social
FOSTERing MBA Community & Connections held a coffee social, with students from Foster’s diversity clubs (Diversity in Business, Women in Business, Out in Business, Foster Veterans Association) and Consortium members of our current student community greeting future Foster MBA students. The event builds community with casual and candid chats about the Foster student experience from students who have historically been underrepresented in the MBA landscape. Students heard Associate Director, Diversity Noe Valdovinos, Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion, Michelle Purnell-Hepburn and Diversity Events and Outreach Coordinator Hector Hernandez.
Scaling Social Impact with Your Business
The second session of the Davis Consumer Product Workshop series for students will focus on “Scaling Social Impact for Your Business.’ on Feb. 21 at noon in Founders Hall 490. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in workshops filled with special guests and learn how to design their startups to make an impact within their community, including skill building in areas such as metrics, partnerships, and storytelling. Register at washington.startuptree.co