Executive Speaker Series

The Graziadio Executive Speaker Series is a curation of valuable seminars in which various guest speakers bring real-world knowledge and experiential learning to the classroom environment. High-level executives come to campus from a variety of industries to share their business expertise. The one-hour sessions allow leaders to share insight into current and future business trends and the challenges decision-makers face.

Executive Speaker Series, Spring 2024

The Executive Speaker series for Spring 2024 will be on ground in Malibu in the Wilburn Auditorium

Jason W. Cohenour

Former President, CEO and Director at Sierra Wireless, Inc. 

Wilburn Auditorium | February 15, 2024 | 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM PT

Registration Link:  https://bit.ly/PGBS2024COHENOUR

Jason served as President, CEO and Director of Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR) from 2005 to 2018.  While CEO, Jason led a business turn-around, resulting in revenue growth of 800% to an annualized run rate of $800M. He also led a multi-year strategic transformation, pivoting the company from a mobile computing pure play to the global leader in intelligent wireless solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT). Prior to being appointed CEO, Jason held several executive positions at Sierra Wireless from 1996 to 2005, including Senior Vice President of Sales and Chief Operating Officer. During this period, the company grew from late stage start-up, through IPO, to a global leader in cellular data with revenue of over $100M. Jason currently serves as Board Director for CalAmp (NASDAQ: CAMP), Lantronix (NASDAQ: LTRX), RF Industries (NASDAQ: RFIL), and Blackline Safety (TSE:  BLN). 

René Bonvanie

Advisor to startups & VCs and CMO Emeritus of Palo Alto Networks 

Wilburn Auditorium | March 21, 2024 | 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM PT

Registration Link: https://bit.ly/PGBS2024BONVANIE

A 35-year technology-industry operating executive, René Bonvanie has had a front-row seat for most of tech’s major transition points, working in senior executive roles at Silicon Valley companies including Ingres, Oracle, Business Objects, SAP, Salesforce and Palo Alto Networks. Most recently, René—who got his start in technology when he founded a software business in his home country of the Netherlands in 1983—was a co-founder of cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks. He served as chief marketing officer for over 10 years, growing the company from a tiny startup to one with nearly $3 billion in annual revenue when he retired in 2020. René also played a key role in the company’s initial-public offering in 2012. Over the years, René has also carved out a niche as a go-to advisor to VC's such as Battery Ventures and Cyberstarts, startups such Armis, Acronis, Collibra, Guardsquare, Odigo, and Nexthink, and Dutch entrepreneurial efforts such as ScaleNL and Holland in the Valley.