Watch the spring Rikard Lecture with Shan Cooper, executive director for the Atlanta Committee for Progress, in the video above.

In this edition of the Rikard Lecture Series, students in the Hammack School of Business talk to Cooper about business mission statements, empowerment programs, equity and inclusion, transportation and more.

Student panelists are Lola Oyinloye ’21, Tyson Quander ’21 and Andi Kezh ’23.

The Rikard Lecture Series, established in 1991, is named after Mack A. Rikard ’37, an Oglethorpe alumnus, honorary degree recipient, Athletic Hall of Fame member and Trustee Emeritus. The Mack A. Rikard Lecture Series introduces students to current issues in business as presented by business and civic leaders who are recognized leaders in their professions.

The ACP was founded in 2003 and their mission is to provide 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

Shan 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, Shan 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.