Business

Atlanta Committee for Progress leader Shan Cooper to headline spring business lecture

For its spring Rikard Lecture, Oglethorpe’s Hammack School of Business will welcome Shan Cooper, executive director of the Atlanta Committee for Progress. The online event will be held Tuesday, March 16 at 4 p.m.

Shan Cooper, executive director, Atlanta Committee for Progress

Founded in 2003, the Atlanta Committee for Progress provides leadership on key issues important to economic growth and inclusion for all citizens in the City of Atlanta. The committee includes more than 40 highly engaged chief executive officers, university presidents and civic leaders who offer expertise in service to Atlanta and its future development

Cooper is the former chief transformation officer of WestRock and was responsible for the Recycling and Waste Services Division, Procurement, Enterprise Logistics and Information Technology. Prior to joining WestRock, she served as Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company

Cooper was named Georgia Trend Magazine’s 2015 Most Respected Business Leader; the 2015 Women of the Year by American Association of University Women; and as one of Georgia Trend Magazine’s Most Influential Georgians in 2012-2016, 2020 and 2021. She was also named one of Black Enterprise Magazine’s Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America in 2017.

Cooper serves on the Board of Directors for the Atlantic Capital Bancshares, Inc., the parent company of Atlantic Capital Bank, N.A, the Georgia Power Company, Intercontinental Exchange Inc. and Veritiv Corporation; the Board of Directors for Grady Health System, The Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta and the Board of Trustees of both Emory University and the Woodruff Arts Center. She is also on the Board of Georgia Tech Research Institute, Georgia Historical Society, Zoo Atlanta and a member of the Atlanta Rotary Club and a Life Member of the Board of Councilors for The Carter Center.

Shan earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and religion from Emory University and a Master of Business Administration from the Roberto Goizueta Business School of Emory University. She is also a graduate of the Rutgers University Executive Masters in Global Human Resource Leadership Program.

The Mack A. Rikard Lecture Series, established in 1991, introduces students to current issues in business as presented by business and civic leaders who are recognized leaders in their professions. The series is named after the late Mack A. Rikard ’37, an Oglethorpe alumnus, honorary degree recipient, Athletic Hall of Fame member and Trustee Emeritus. Rikard was former president of Allied Products Company in Birmingham, Alabama, and a supporter of Oglethorpe athletics and student scholarships.

Please visit OU Connect to find more information about registering for the online lecture. The event is open to everyone in the Oglethorpe community.

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