VP for R&D at Starbucks to speak at Colorado State University

Mary Wagner, the senior vice president of global research & development, quality and regulatory and concept innovation at Starbucks, is kicking off a new lecture series at Colorado State University.

Wagner will speak at the first Innovation Leadership Series lecture, sponsored by CSU’s Office of the Vice President for Research, Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. in the Bob Davis Hall of Fame Room in Moby Arena on campus.

This event is free and open to the public. However, registration is required.

Wagner ensures Starbucks maintains a consistent line of product innovations for both its retail locations and consumer packaged goods while also strengthening core products. She is also building the company’s research and quality capabilities around the globe, focusing on how Starbucks can offer innovative, locally relevant products in key markets outside of the United States.

Alan Rudolph, CSU’s new vice president of research, is launching the Innovation Series to introduce global innovations from the public and private sector to the University and Northern Colorado.

“Working with industry to understand what their needs are benefits the University and our students,” Rudolph said. “We want to continue our intensive efforts to forge relationships and collaborations with the private sector.”

Before joining Starbucks in 2010, Wagner served as the general manager/chief technology officer for Mars Inc., where she was responsible for creating a business utilizing cocoa flavanols for food and beverages, as well as developing a supplement application for internet sales.

Wagner has a master’s degree in Food Technology from Iowa State University, and a doctorate in Food Science and Nutrition from the University of Minnesota. She has also completed the program for management development at Harvard University.

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