The Silicon Valley Center for Entrepreneurship’s Eminent Speaker Series brought two powerhouse leaders to campus this semester, offering students invaluable lessons on global leadership, corporate strategy, and the journey to the top. 

SJSU Alumna Janine Pelosi: Leading a Global Startup
The series kicked off on Monday, October 13, featuring Janine Pelosi, ’04 Marketing, CEO of Neat and former Chief Marketing Officer of Zoom. Pelosi, a proud San José State University alumna, provided critical insights into scaling technology brands.

During her tenure at Zoom (2015-2023), Pelosi was a key executive, steering the company through its early stages, successful IPO, and the explosive growth during the global pandemic. She outlined how a bold brand strategy, powerful demand engines, and robust e-commerce capabilities were essential in transforming Zoom into a globally recognized enterprise.

Laxman Narasimhan (former CEO of Starbucks and Reckitt) with students, staff, and faculty following his talk at the Silicon Valley Center for Entrepreneurship’s Eminent Speaker Series.

Laxman Narasimhan: The Journey of Transformational Leadership
The second session on Monday, October 27, welcomed Laxman Narasimhan, the former CEO of both Starbucks and Reckitt, and former Global Chief Commercial Officer of PepsiCo. Narasimhan shared his extensive experience in transformational leadership across diverse global industries. 

Narasimhan focused on the necessity of strategic skills, operational grit, and commercial acumen for delivering world-class outcomes. He stressed the importance of leading with values and resilience while ensuring leaders treat stakeholders as a vital part of their strategy.

Learn more about the Silicon Valley Center for Entrepreneurship.