SBT Alum Named NBA Senior Vice President

The NBA has a new all star. Webster alum Elizabeth Ventura has been named by NBA commissioner David Stern as the league's new Senior Vice President of Communications. Ms. Ventura, who comes to the NBA from Standard & Poor's where she is currently the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, earned her MBA at Webster in 1992 and an MA in management in 1990.

"I was impressed by the caliber of professionals Webster sent to teach at my campus. I still keep in touch with one of them," says Ms. Ventura. "Webster's network of international campuses made achieving my academic dreams possible."

Ms. Ventura's career includes senior management positions at The Bear Stearns Companies as well as the Zurich Financial Services Group. Her new position with the NBA makes her responsible for overseeing all the league’s U.S. and international communications functions.

"Elizabeth’s already outstanding accomplishments highlight how very talented and driven she is," said Dean Akande. "We take great pride in her as a Webster SBT graduate and know that this position will only go on to further her influence in business on a global scale."

Recession Rebound?

Wells Fargo with record earnings? Goldman Sachs reporting a first-quarter profit? Economic news has come fast and furious this week prompting Fox Television – St. Louis to ask Dean Akande to decipher it for their viewers.

Click here to view "Could the Recession Be Coming to en End?"

How To Define Success

For the ambitious graduate, today's economy could help jumpstart a great career. "Due to the economic slowdown many management jobs will not be filled in the immediate future," says Erich Steinbock, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. "This reduces the bench strength of future leaders and will open unbelievable opportunities for anyone who is willing (or compelled) to pay the price. "Mr. Steinbock met with some of those ambitious graduates this week following his address for the Maritz Success To Significance Speakers Series, "How To Define Success."

Click here for pictures from the event.