About the Series
The Walton Lecture is an annual Fall Semester event that brings a distinguished leader in the insurance and risk management field to campus to share professional perspectives with students. The lecture is hosted by the WSU College of Business’ 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.
Speaker:
Anthony Spacciante
Director of Risk Management
Starbucks
The Places You Can Go:
Careers in Risk Management and Insurance
Date: Monday, October 19, 2026
Time: 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Location: Todd 116
WSU alumnus Anthony Spacciante (’99 Finance) 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 the Starbucks director of risk management, he is responsible for the strategic oversight of the company’s large self-insurance programs, global insurance placements, and risk financing initiatives. Spacciante serves on Starbuck’s Board of Directors for the company’s Vermont-based captive insurance company, which he helped to organize. He provides oversight of the company’s general liability and workers’ compensation claims operations. He also served as past president of the Washington chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. Throughout his career, Spacciante has worked closely with insurers, brokers, legal partners, and executive leadership to navigate complex risk challenges and to drive strategic solutions. His business philosophy toward risk management hinges on thinking about the big picture when facing daily risk challenges and fostering a positive workplace environment.
Questions?
Department of Finance and Management Science
509-335-8727
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Past Speakers
2025: Collin Sower, Senior Risk Manager, Micron Technology
2024: Carrie Cheshier, President, Berkley North Pacific
2023: Theresa Craw, Director – Insurance & Finance, Nordstrom
2022: David Soike, Chief Operating Officer, Port of Seattle & Jeff Hollingsworth Director of Risk Management, Port of Seattle
2021: Nathan Mallory, Director – Risk Management and Insurance – The Americas, Expeditors
2020: Steven L. Patterson, J.D, President & CEO, Oregon Mutual Insurance Company
2018: Bob Brandkamp, Risk Manager, Avista Utilities
2018: Steve Legg, Director of Risk Management, Starbucks Coffee Co., CPCU, ARM
2017: Gregg Ness, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. and Standard Insurance Company
2016: Brian Steffel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Oregon Mutual Insurance Group
2015: Thomas Marra, President and Chief Executive Officer, Symetra Financial
2014: Dellanie Fragnoli, Assistant Vice President of Risk Management, Costco
2013: Molly Seaburg, Senior Risk Manager, Microsoft
2012: David Lavergne, President, Traveler’s Insurance, south central region
2011: Eric P. Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Enumclaw Insurance Group
2010: Doyle J. Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Country Financial
2009: Robert V. O’Brien Jr., Executive Vice President, Group Health Cooperative, Health Plan Division
2008: Mike Keyes, President and Chief Executive Officer, Oregon Mutual Insurance Company
2006: Stan McNaughton, Chief Executive Officer, PEMCO Insurance
2005: Harold Gray, Senior Vice President, State Farm Insurance Co., Pacific Northwest Zone
2004: Lance J. Ewing, Vice President, Caesar’s Entertainment
2003: Mike McGavick, Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer, SAFECO Insurance Co.