Distinguished Alumna to Give Baccalaureate Address

Donna Alvardo

Alvarado is the founder and current managing director of Aguila International, a consulting firm which helps businesses, educational institutions, and not-for-profit organizations achieve greater effectiveness and competitive advantage in increasingly diverse and global markets. She also serves as the chair of the Ohio Board of Regents.

She is the former president and CEO of Quest International, an educational publishing organization with school-based markets in 30 countries. Prior to Quest, she was appointed by President Reagan as director of ACTION, now the Corporation for Community and National Service.

She has been elected to numerous international and domestic boards of directors and commissions in both Fortune 500 and public policy environments, where she has held diverse committee leadership positions. She co-hosted a biweekly cable television public affairs program that addresses local perspectives on politics, economic development, education, and community affairs in Licking County, Ohio. She was elected to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York in 1991.

In 1994, Alvarado was nationally recognized by First Lady Hillary Clinton and VISTA magazine as one of nine Hispanic women in Fortune 500 corporate board governance. Among her numerous awards are the VISTA Magazine Corporate Achievement Award, Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, the OSU Alumni Association's Ralph Davenport Mershon Award, and the OSU College of Humanities Alumni Award of Distinction.

With bachelor's and master's degrees from Ohio State, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and cum laude, Alvarado pursued doctoral studies in Latin American literature at the University of Oklahoma and completed postgraduate coursework in business at the Wharton School.

Graduate and guests can find complete information by visiting the Baccalaureate Web site.