Anthony Spacciante, director of risk management for Starbucks, will present “The Places You Can Go: Careers in Risk Management and Insurance” from 5:30–6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19 in Todd Hall 116.
The presentation is the 34th annual Walton Lecture for the Carson College of Business, free to the public.
After graduating from WSU with a degree in business administration, Spacciante (’99) began his career as an intern in Starbucks’ risk management department and advanced through multiple leadership roles during his 27-year tenure with the company. As director of risk management, he is responsible for the strategic oversight of Starbucks’ large self-insurance programs, global insurance placements, and risk financing initiatives. During the lecture, he will discuss his work navigating complex risk challenges and solutions and career options in risk management and insurance.
Starbucks Corporation is the world’s largest coffeehouse chain, headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Together with its subsidiaries, Starbucks operates internationally as a roaster, marketer, and retailer of coffee. Since its founding in 1971, the company has been committed to responsibly sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. A Fortune 500 company, Starbucks reported $37.2 billion in annual revenue in 2025 and has more than 809 markets and 381,000 employees worldwide.
“Anthony’s path from intern to executive leader in one of the world’s most successful companies is inspiring and a great example of where a WSU business degree can lead,” said Mike McNamara, Carson College finance professor. “Being able to share industry perspectives from a variety of risk management roles will give students a wider appreciation for the importance of the field.”
Each fall, the Walton Lecture brings a distinguished leader in insurance and risk management to campus to share professional perspectives. The lecture is hosted by the WSU Carson College of Business’s Department of Finance and Management Science and made possible through an endowment from the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Washington. The endowment honors Max Walton, the group’s past president.
