Abel Charrow on Channeling Creativity into Business Innovation | Foster Technology Management MBA Alum Spotlight
How Abel Charrow transformed award-winning creativity into fearless innovation with a Technology Management MBA.
Written by: Heejae Kang, student contributor, Foster School of Business
Long before joining the University of Washington Foster School of Business Technology Management MBA program, Abel Charrow was already making headlines for his innovative advertising and experiential branding work.
His fearless creativity earned him two Clio Awards, the “Oscars of Advertising,” including a Bronze for the first-ever legal cannabis sales activation at Outside Lands and a Grand Clio for a cheeky cannabis-infused Thanksgiving gravy campaign that captured national attention.
These unconventional projects highlight what Charrow does best: break norms, craft compelling narratives, and explore uncharted territory. Whether on a Hollywood set, at a cannabis startup, or collaborating on an MBA project, he has consistently turned bold ideas into new opportunities.
Leveling Up: Charrow’s Next Act
In 2023, Charrow took one of his boldest leaps, pivoting entirely to a new industry and applying to the UW Foster Technology Management MBA program. Designed for working professionals, the program teaches the rigorous Foster School of Business curriculum through a lens of technology and innovation.
“Having never worked in tech before, I entered the program with significant impostor syndrome. But I soon realized having an unconventional background is precisely what makes me a valuable contributor,” Charrow said. “I’ve found ways to support my team on projects where others may feel less confident. I can rely on my strengths, demonstrate my value, and still be pushed to grow.”
“I’ve worked on both the entertainment side and the brand side,” he added, “and now I want to explore deeper where those come together — in business development and partnership, whether in sports, live events, or brand management.”
Armed with the insights and experiences he’s gained over the 18-month program, Charrow is eager to take on new challenges since graduating in June 2025. The Technology Management MBA program’s interactive, team-based curriculum has helped him tap into his unique strengths while learning from the diverse perspectives of his peers and gaining valuable hands-on experience.
From Sitcoms to Startups
Born in Texas, Charrow moved between several states before landing in Los Angeles to study film and television at the University of Southern California. He began his career in broadcasting on the set of NBC’s Scrubs, where he honed his creative writing skills and learned the ins and outs of storytelling, from “packaging a joke” to structuring a compelling narrative.
For the next few years, unexpected opportunities would take Charrow to various industries, from working in marketing and business development at the up-and-coming Silicon Valley startup Soylent, to being a director of experiential marketing in the cannabis industry.
It was here that Charrow learned new ways to navigate a rapidly growing industry with heavy regulations.
“This was an entirely new industry,” Charrow said. “It was highly regulated, and there was all this gray area. Trying to navigate things that have never been done before really resonated with me. I thought, ‘Oh, this is a new fun challenge’ — not just figuring out a product, but a whole new space.”
Abel Charrow’s Next Chapter with the Technology Management MBA
One highlight of the program for Charrow was his Consulting Practicum with the University of Washington Huskies, where he researched sponsorships at a time when college sports are evolving quickly.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about how live sports are the last true must-see television, especially as streaming and AI reshape entertainment,” he said. “The value and cultural resonance of live events, especially sports, is only going to grow. The Huskies project sparked great conversations across the pro sports world and gave me a window into where the industry is headed.”
Through the Technology Management MBA, Charrow has learned to take the creativity and adaptability he honed in diverse industries and apply them with sharper focus, preparing him to tackle his next challenge with clarity and confidence. Now equipped with an MBA from the University of Washington Foster School of Business, he is poised to take his impact even further.
Learn more about the Technology Management MBA here.
Heejae Kang is an undergraduate student at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, where she studies Marketing, Information Systems, and Operations & Supply Chain Management. From 2022 to 2025, she worked with the Technology Management MBA program.
