Although her undergraduate degree is in chemical engineering, throughout her career Sue Galatz has used that strong foundation to build on her natural talents as a business leader. Galatz鈥檚 first job after graduating was at Tektronix, where she focused on engineering management and corporate strategy. In 1991, she moved to Mentor Graphics to drive change in the company鈥檚 business model, operations, and supply chain. Her career at Nike began in 1996. She has held several director-level positions with the company, but the accomplishment she is most proud of is helping to shape a social movement at national and international levels.
As strategic planning director at Nike, Galatz helped galvanize organizations worldwide to encourage children and adults to get moving. She led a team that forged partnerships with the Clinton Global Initiative, Michelle Obama鈥檚 "Let鈥檚 Move! Active Schools鈥 program, the United Nations Development Program, and other organizations to unleash human potential. "It was really exciting to see how you can drive awareness to a critical global issue 鈥 physical inactivity 鈥 and work with others to make a difference,鈥 said Galatz. "Over 100 organizations around the globe were involved in it, and we continue to see impact.鈥
In her current position, she is focused on intrapreneurial efforts involving customization. "I love bringing new ideas to life,鈥 she said. "I鈥檓 still amazed at the breadth of what my engineering degree gave me. I鈥檝e always been interested in the engineer as the 鈥榓rchitect鈥 or 鈥榗onductor鈥 that brings multiple disciplines together to drive change.鈥"I鈥檓 still amazed at the breadth of what my engineering degree gave me.鈥
Degrees
- B.S. Chemical Engineering, 1986