During Sally Jewell’s tenure as U.S. Secretary of the Interior from 2013 to 2017, her work focused on championing the importance of science and data, encouraging investments for more sustainable use of public lands and waters, deepening relationships with indigenous communities, and long-term conservation of the nation’s natural, cultural, and historic treasures. Jewell demonstrated a deep commitment to connecting people, especially youth, to nature through opportunities to play, learn, serve and work on public lands, which she will discuss in her lecture “America’s Public Lands: Fuel Our Soul, Unlock Our Curiosity, Connect Us to Nature.”

Jewell was president and CEO of Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), an outdoor gear retailer and member-owned cooperative, from 2005 to 2013. During her tenure, REI more than tripled sales to $1.9 billion and was named to FORTUNE Magazine’s Top 10 “100 Best Companies to Work For in the U.S.” three times. Prior to REI, she spent 19 years in the banking industry in a variety of executive roles, preceded by her early career as an engineer in the energy sector. Since leaving government service, Jewell has dedicated herself to working with the next generation of leaders in shaping a future that is economically successful and environmentally sustainable for all.

Jewell’s work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the National Parks Conservation Association’s Winks Award for Public Service, the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service, the National Audubon Society’s Rachel Carson Award, and the National Association for Corporate Directors Director of the Year Award. Jewell is a Global Board Member at The Nature Conservancy, where she recently served as interim CEO. She also serves on several advisory councils, including the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute and the University of Washington’s EarthLab.

She is a graduate of the University of Washington, where she was appointed the Edward V. Fritzky Endowed Chair in Leadership in the Foster School of Business for the 2021-22 academic year.

This program is made possible by the Robert S. Bargar Memorial Lectureship and the Crawford N. and May Sellstrom Bargar Lectureship In Business and Economics.