{"id":15309,"date":"2024-12-01T00:50:21","date_gmt":"2024-12-01T08:50:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/?p=15309"},"modified":"2026-02-17T13:18:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T21:18:42","slug":"octavia-graham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/2024\/12\/01\/octavia-graham\/","title":{"rendered":"Octavia Graham is Empowering Equity Through WSU\u2019s EMBA"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

For Octavia Graham<\/a> (\u201924 EMBA), mastering the languages of business has been a highlight of her journey in WSU\u2019s online Executive MBA<\/a> program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graham serves as the equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) manager for Seattle Rep, a nonprofit regional theater in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 1963, Seattle Rep produces a wide range of productions, including classics, contemporary works, and new plays. Notably, Seattle Rep received a Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre in 1990 and is considered one of the most renowned theaters in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an EDI manager, Graham works closely with leadership and staff to ensure inclusive values are embedded across all areas of Seattle Rep\u2019s operations. Her experience in the WSU Executive MBA program has equipped her with valuable business skills to advance this mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDiversity and inclusion are at the core of my work,\u201d she says. \u201cEverything I do contributes to creating a culture where everyone feels valued and respected, contributing to a more just and equitable society.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bridging EDI and business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Graham utilizes her expertise in EDI to advise on initiatives, shape policies, and lead educational efforts that support Seattle Rep\u2019s commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment. While Graham\u2019s background is in human resources, her current role integrates with every department, making it essential for her to understand each area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In education, she says an inclusive environment develops important traits, including empathy, communication, and cultural competence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese skills are crucial for teamwork, leadership, and innovation in the professional world,\u201d Graham says. \u201cExposure to diverse perspectives prepares students for dynamic, multicultural workplaces, contributing to their success and creating inclusive, thriving organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Executive MBA program has strengthened her business acumen and boosted her confidence in communicating across different units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This ability to navigate different business languages has empowered Graham to articulate her goals and rationale more effectively, especially when working with departments that may view and evaluate her work through diverse perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeing able to \u2018code switch\u2019 and talk in financial terms, information technology terms, or executive planning terms has helped to establish common ground and create a better understanding,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discovering WSU and expanding horizons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Graham discovered WSU\u2019s Executive MBA program through an online search, but it was the extensive alumni network that ultimately convinced her to enroll. She\u2019s since built strong connections with fellow Cougs and embraced the program\u2019s networking opportunities, including the optional study abroad trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In May 2024, Graham traveled to Dubai with classmates, faculty, and staff, immersing herself in a new culture while expanding her professional connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat whole experience was illuminating in ways I struggle to articulate,\u201d she says. \u201cIt provided an excellent networking opportunity. I had the chance to experience a country I\u2019ve never visited. It was a fantastic experience all around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graham has made the most out of her time in the Executive MBA program by connecting with local Cougs and pushing herself to apply what she\u2019s learned throughout the program to her career. In addition to networking opportunities, Graham says the most valuable part of the Carson College\u2019s Executive MBA program is the breadth of knowledge it offers students, touching on everything from strategic thinking and analytical skills to basic financial management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the kind of program where even if you decided to walk away after one semester, you\u2019ll still have functional knowledge that can be applied to your work,\u201d she says. \u201cThe EMBA program has been challenging, but I feel it has provided a lot of value, and I\u2019m very pleased that I took the plunge and applied.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For Octavia Graham (\u201924 EMBA), mastering the languages of business has been a highlight of her journey in WSU\u2019s online Executive MBA program.<\/p>\n

Graham serves as the equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) manager for Seattle Rep, a nonprofit regional theater in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 1963, Seattle Rep produces a wide range of productions, including classics, contemporary works, and new plays.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":[635],"featured_media":16494,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[429,620,626,425],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15309"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/635"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15309"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15309\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18485,"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15309\/revisions\/18485"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15309"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/business.wsu.edu\/edividend\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/author?post=15309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}