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Barbara Mowry '70, who graduated from ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú with a degree in Sociology, will address the graduating CAS class of 2025 at the CAS recognition ceremony on May 17, 2025.

After leaving ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú, Mowry attained an MBA from the University of Minnesota and then launched a successful career as a corporate executive, both an intrapreneur and an entrepreneur, and corporate board member on her way to her current role as owner and CEO of GoreCreek Advisors, a strategic business consulting firm.

Mowry’s experience includes roles as a senior executive in three Fortune 500 companies: Oracle Corporation, TCI (Comcast Corporation), and United Airlines. She also served as CEO of four intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial ventures. She has founded companies, raised significant venture capital, and led both business-to-business as well as business to consumer-focused companies.

“Barbara is a wonderful example of someone who has transformed her ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú education as a Sociology major into an illustrious business career that spans decades,” said Renee Baernstein, dean of the College of Arts and Science. “We selected her as our guest speaker not only on those merits but also as someone who has successfully and graciously applied what she calls her ‘inner compass’ to adapt to change, reflect on progress, and always continue learning.

Baernstein added that Mowry’s address aligns perfectly with the recently announced CAS Means Careers campaign, which highlights alumni following multiple career pathways to success and serves as an inspirational model for students.

Mowry is the past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and has served on three public and eight private company boards. She has also been the Vice Chair of the Board and a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Overseers of the Carlson School at the University of Minnesota and a Trustee at the Kauffman Foundation.

In addition, Mowry has served as a judge at the Ernst and Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards and has participated in many organizations, including as a board member of the National Association of Corporate Directors and Women Corporate Directors and a member of the Committee of 200, the International Women’s Forum, The Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network, and other community groups.

Her numerous career awards include the Outstanding Achievement Award (from the University of Minnesota), Outstanding Woman in Business in Technology and Telecommunications (from the Denver Business Journal), one of the “25 Most Powerful Women in Colorado” (from the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce), and the Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement Award (from the Colorado Technology Association).