College of Business and Economics to hold Nov. 18 panel discussion on AI skills for today’s job market
Western Washington University’s College of Business and Economics is bringing together a panel of Western alumni and industry experts to discuss “Thriving in the AI Era: Skills for Today’s Job Market,” at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, in Miller Hall 138, and the event is free and open to the public.
The discussion’s focus will be on exploring how students can thrive in a workforce that’s being transformed by artificial intelligence (AI).
Panelists will share what they see as the skills most valued by employers — such as adaptability, problem-solving, collaboration, and ethical judgment — while highlighting ways to leverage AI as a tool rather than a competitor.
The discussion will provide practical guidance for college students preparing to enter the job market and offer strategies for building resilience, staying future-ready, and carving out career paths where human expertise remains essential.
Panelists include:
Associate Professor of Economics Adam Wright
Director, Center for Economic and Financial Education (Moderator)
Associate Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for Economic and Financial Education (CEFE), Adam Wright, will moderate the panel. His research primarily focuses on labor and the economics of education. WWU’s Center for Economic and Financial Education works to equip K-12 educators with the training, resources, and support they need to bring economics and personal finance to life in the classroom.
Christy Johnson
CEO, Artemis Connection, Inc.
Lecturer at UW
Botha Chan Coach at Stanford University
Christy Johnson is an entrepreneur, educator, and board member, and is the founder and CEO of her fourth start-up, Artemis Connection, Inc., a strategy consulting firm. Christy Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from WWU.
Dana Rozier
AI Educator & Consultant
Nova Consulting AI
Dana Rozier is the founder and CEO of Nova Consulting AI, a Whatcom County firm that provides AI training and strategy for small businesses. Rozier received a bachelor’s degree in English and Language Arts Teacher Education from WWU’s Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies.
Seth Bergeson
Senior Manager – AI & Responsible AI
PwC
Seth Bergeson is a management consultant at PwC focused on AI strategy, Generative AI, and AI governance where he leads AI strategy and Responsible AI projects for clients in technology, financial services, healthcare, and operations.
Justin Gruba
Managing Director – State and Local Tax
KPMG
Justin Gruba is an accountant working as a Managing Director, State and Local Tax at KPMG in Seattle. Gruba received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from WWU in 2007, where he also volunteered as mascot Victor E. Viking. As a first-generation college graduate, Gruba is dedicated to enabling opportunity—he established the Spirit Scholarship at WWU to support students broadly and serves on the Accounting Department Advisory Board.
Your point of contact for this event is The Foundation for WWU & Alumni. Call (360) 650-3353 or email Alumni@wwu.edu. Advance notice for disability accommodations and special needs is appreciated. Please mention your needs when registering. There will be auto-captions for the Zoom webinar.