Alumni Newsletter - WGU Alumni Community - Western Governors ...

Kelly GreenePleasant valley, new yorkKelly Greene is a rock singersongwriter-musicianwith her ownmusic corporation who has releasedtwo albums. That’s not all.She is an associate marketing managerfor Pepsi Beverages Companywho currently works on the alliedH. Wayne Johnsonbrand, ROCKSTAR Energy Drink.Kelly describes herself as a resultdelivering,strategy-minded, brandchampion with 14 years of broadexperience emphasizing branddevelopment and product launches,and has consistently delivereddouble-digit brand growth. Kellyalso holds certifications as a personaltrainer and sports nutritionistand is a wildly dedicated athlete.During her time at Pepsi, Kelly relates,she worked her way up froma temp position, receiving severalpromotions and awards, includingthe PBC President’s Circle of Excellenceaward for Marketing and thePepsiCo Strategic Impact FinanceAward—all without a degree. WesternGovernors University came in tothe mix, Kelly says, because she wascautioned that the current businessclimate in combination with anymanagement changes could slowher career progression regardless ofperformance. Kelly did not take thatdenver, coloradoDuring his 15 years in businessmanagement, Wayne Johnson attainedincreasingly responsiblepositions in Fortune 500 companies,and was a dual-recipient ofBoeing’s prestigious employeeof the month award. Wayne alsoserved his community as pastmentor for the Colorado Youth AtRisk and as an Eagle scout in BoyScouts of America. In spite of hisleadership record and experience,Wayne says that his progress waslimited by not having an advanceddegree. When his employer scaledback during a downturn in 2008,Wayne lost his job and used thetime of unemployment to apply hisestablished real-life experiencesand competencies toward earninga Bachelor of Science in BusinessManagement degree from WesternGovernors University. Wayne explains,“At WGU, I can learn whenit’s comfortable and most effectivefor me, not for the teachers orother students of the university.”Throughout his program, he saysthat he found motivation and inspirationfrom his parents, who taughthim about values that go beyondwhat one sees on the outside, butrather what one can become fromthe inside. A little over a year ago,Wayne became a new father to ababy daughter. He says, “By earningmy degree, WGU has advancedmy life and consolidated over 15years of business experience andprior education. My education willnow help me create a new life formy family and the future of my littlegirl.” After graduating in April 2011,Wayne took his capstone project offits thesis page and into reality byfounding a new innovative outdooradvertising company in the Denverarea called StarzEP Media totap into the billion-dollar marketof out-of-home media consumers.graduate spotlightslightly, she recalls, finding WGU’sflexibility a perfect fit since findingtime to go to school would be nodifferent than what she already doesto keep things working. She beganher program a year ago and graduatedin June 2011 with a Bachelor ofScience in Business Management degree.Her manager told Kelly her decisionto attend school signaled thatshe was serious about a long-termcareer path; shortly thereafter, shereceived another promotion. Duringher time at WGU, Kelly faced personalchallenges that included surgeryand the death of a loved one.She says, “I’ve learned a numberof things about myself throughoutmy WGU experience. I love learningeven more than I thought I did, thatI can accomplish more than I thinkI can…and that it is not impossibleto get a solid education and earnyour degree without setting foot in aphysical classroom.” •“Sometimes we’re all kicked on theway up,” but that isn’t necessarilybad, says Wayne. “It’s the challengeor the obstacle that in many waysinspires us to make a change.” •WGU Alumni Newsletter - summer 2011 | 7