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Fritzky Leadership Fellows Celebrate a Milestone Anniversary

Celebratory event reunites Foster School alumni and honors Fritzky Fellowship founders

Dean Frank Hodge welcomes Fritzky fellow Joshua Rodriguez back to campus.

Written By: David Fenigsohn, contributing writer, Foster School of Business

The Foster School of Business recently commemorated the 15th anniversary of its Fritzky Leadership Fellows Program with a reunion that united past and present participants to celebrate its leadership legacy and impact.

The Fritzky Leadership Fellows Program supports first-year MBA students through peer coaching and mentoring while offering second-year Fellows the opportunity to sharpen their leadership and coaching skills in a collaborative, real-world setting. The program was founded by an endowment from CEO and president of the Immunex Corporation Edward Fritzky.

Fritzky Fellows from every cohort since the program’s inception reconnected at a reception held at the University of Washington’s Husky Union Building.

Fellows were joined by current Fritzky Leadership Chair Gary Wipfler (BA 1981) and several past chairs, including Seattle First Lady Joanne Harrell (BA 1976, MBA 1979), former University of Washington Football Coach Chris Petersen, President and CEO of Charming Shoppe Dorrit Bern (BA 1972), and venture capitalist Neal Dempsey (BA 1964).

Dean Hodge addresses an audience of Fritzky fellowship participants and supporters.

Dean Frank Hodge delivered the opening remarks, sharing a brief history of the program. He noted that more than 220 students had participated and that representatives from every class were in attendance.

From left, Neal Dempsey, Ed Fritzy, Dean Hodge, and Gary Wipfler convened to celebrate the Fritzky fellowship program.

Hodge thanked Fritzky for his initial endowment of the program. Fritzky, a long-time supporter of the Foster community, was present to mark the occasion. “This endowment has had a tremendous impact on the Foster School,” Hodge said.

“Every year the fellows change the program,” noted Professor Bruce Avolio.

Professor Bruce Avolio, one of the program’s architects and primary instructors, noted how the program evolves every year based on the direction the students themselves set.

A panel of Fritzky fellow alumni shared their experience and offered advice for getting the most out of the program.

A panel of Fritzky Fellow alumni, moderated by Kristen Bales (MBA 2024) and including Emily Eddy (BA 2003, MBA 2018), Zharen Gonzales (MBA 2023), Vatsal Patni (MBA 2024), and Joshua Rodriguez (MBA 2017), reminisced and addressed topics including leadership challenges, best practices, and what they took away from the program.

Current Fritzky Leadership Chair Gary Wipfler highlighted the value that guest speakers provide in sharing their experiences with the fellows.

“I enjoyed my years as Fritzky chair,” said Wipfler in his remarks. “It is always nice to find new ways to give back to my alma mater. My time, experience, and learnings at the University of Washington were an important building block of my life … all the Fritzky chairs set a very high bar, and I’m glad to be included amongst you.”

Costco executive Javier Polit praised his company’s workforce. “Our over 300,000 employees are key to our success, and a sense of belonging is vital to them,” he said.

Costco Executive Vice President Javier Polit delivered the keynote address, discussing the company’s approach to cybersecurity and reaffirming Costco’s commitment to workforce diversity.

Dean Hodge closed the evening with an inspiring message for past, present, and future participants in the Fritzky program.

Dean Frank Hodge concluded the program on an inspiring note.

“Collectively, as a community, we will be better tomorrow than we are today,” said Hodge. “And I can’t think of a better example of that mantra than the Fritzky Chair in Leadership and the Fritzky Fellowship program.”

Learn more about Fritzky Fellowship leadership program.