Visionary,
Founder,
and CEO
W Communications
Former SVP, Global Communications at Starbucks. Author of Working Class to Breaking Glass. Board director. Mentor.
STARBUCKS · DUPONT · DOW · RATED TOP 100 BLACKS IN CORPORATE AMERICA
Today
One company. Ten practice areas.
As President and CEO of W Communications, Wanda and her team develop and execute communications strategies tailored to each business need.
Brand Building
Reputation Management
Employee Communications & Engagement
Public Relations & Public Affairs
Media Relations
Crisis & Issues Management
Executive Communications
Employee Development & Diversity
Investor Relations
Speeches & Presentations
1974
Michigan State University
The foundation.
Wanda earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Michigan State University in 1974, then put it to work as a legislative assistant in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1975 to 1977. She returned to MSU for her master’s degree in Journalism, completed in 1979.
1978
The Dow Chemical Company
The first hire.
In 1978, Wanda Herndon became the first African American and first external hire in the communications development program at The Dow Chemical Company. Over a 12-year career she led communications and marketing for Lorsban insecticides, Specialty Plastics, and DowBrands, where she established the corporate communications function and built the brand.
1990
DuPont
Counsel to the C-suite.
At DuPont from 1990 to 1995, Wanda held senior communications management roles, supporting the 6 billion dollar Polymers and Automotive business and leading corporate employee communications as counselor to the CEO and senior management on change strategies that shifted behavior and culture.
1995
Starbucks Coffee Company
Built the Global Communications function.
As Senior Vice President of Global Communications and an officer of Starbucks from 1995 to 2006, Wanda created and built the global communications function while the company grew from roughly 550 stores in North America to more than 11,000 in 37 countries, and revenue grew from $465 million to over $6.3 billion.
2001
Entrepreneurship
The owner’s seat.
From 2001 to 2006, Wanda was a minority owner of the NBA Seattle SuperSonics and the WNBA Seattle Storm, serving on the executive board of the Basketball Club of Seattle.
2004
Philanthropy & The Arts
Giving back.
Wanda gives back to her community as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, The Links, Incorporated and several Seattle area community boards and foundations.
2006
W Communications, LLC
The company she built.
In 2006, Wanda founded W Communications, a strategic communications consulting company. In January 2008, Howard Schultz hired W Communications, LLC and asked Wanda, once again, to lead Starbucks communications and rejoin the executive team during the company transformation. Clients also include the Schultz Family Foundation, lululemon, and Otsuka America Pharmaceutical.
2010
BOARDROOM TO BROADWAY
Honored on Broadway.
Beyond the boardroom, Wanda Herndon applied her producer’s expertise to the Broadway stage, investing in three acclaimed musical productions. Memphis: The Musical, which won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Musical, premiered on Broadway in 2013 to positive reviews. First Date, another musical, opened on Broadway in 2013 and was received favorably by audiences. Come From Away won the 2017 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical.
Broadway
Broadway Lights.
Beyond the boardroom, Wanda Herndon brought her producer’s eye to the Broadway stage, investing in three acclaimed musical productions.
Memphis: The Musical
Winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best Musical.
First Date
Open on Broadway in 2013 to positive reviews.
Come From Away
Winner of the 2017 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical.
2018
Academia
Dr. Wanda J. Herndon.
Delivered Michigan State University’s commencement address in 2018 and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. Over the years she has been a guest lecturer at Michigan State, Villanova, Mott College, the University of Texas at Arlington, and the University of Washington. She also served on the MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences Alumni Board.
2026
Working Class to Breaking Glass
The book, the platform.
Her memoir, Working Class to Breaking Glass: One Woman’s Fight to Belong and to Lead, is available now. It traces the road from Flint, Michigan to the Starbucks executive team, to her own company, with every lesson learned along the way.
Beyond the Title
Education, Philanthropy, Entrepreneurship, Awards.
Education
Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Michigan State University (MSU) College of Communication Arts and Sciences, and an honorary Doctor of Humanities from MSU.
Philanthropy
Over the years as a member of numerous boards and community groups, Wanda has shared her experience and enhanced her ability to give back to others. These organizations include: the Starbucks Foundation, original member; founder and president of the Wanda J. Herndon Foundation; past chair of The 5th Avenue Theatre, a non-profit arts organization; the Lacewing Foundation, a non-profit that funds global programs focused on women and children; the Cancer Lifeline Advisory Council; the YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish board, and International Women’s Forum. She is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, with over 50 years of service, and an alumna member of The Links, Incorporated, Greater Seattle Chapter.
Entrepreneurship
Founder of W Communications, LLC. Former minority owner of the NBA Seattle SuperSonics and WNBA Seattle Storm, and a Tony Award–winning Broadway producer.
Awards
She was named one of PRWeek magazine’s 12 Leading African Americans in Public Relations. In 2005, Black Professionals magazine recognized her as one of the Top 100 Black Professionals in Corporate America. In 2008, she received the Economic and Business Development Award from The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc.
Wanda received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Michigan State University College of Communication Arts and Sciences in 2001, followed by the university’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2002. In 2014, she received the Michigan State University Black Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award.
Speaking
Conversations worth having.
W Communications books Founder and CEO Wanda J. Herndon for keynotes, fireside chats, and moderated conversations. Four signature topics, four decades of stories from the top of global communications.
TOPIC 01
Branding
How great brands are built, protected, and grown: lessons from the Starbucks years and four decades in corporate communications.
TOPIC 02
Achieving success without losing yourself
Climbing to the executive suite while staying true to who you are.
TOPIC 03
The perfect blend
Why the perfect blend of employees leads to success, and how leaders create it.
TOPIC 04
Mentoring as a two-way street
What mentors and mentees owe each other, and how both sides grow.
What Colleagues Say
In their words.
“Thank you for the contributions, too many to mention, that you have made to Starbucks. You will always be a Starbucks partner. With great respect.”
Howard Schultz
Starbucks Coffee Company Founder and CEO
“You’re the freest spirit I know!”
Howard Behar
Author, It’s Not About the Coffee; Former President, Starbucks International
“Each time I’ve interacted with you, I’ve been impressed by your capability. It’s fun to be your partner, because you are good at what you do AND a good and delightful person.”
David Landau
Former SVP Law & Corporate Affairs, Starbucks
“There is so much that I learned from Wanda that has made me who I am today. Everyone needs a little Wanda in their lives!”
Amy Kavanaugh Mason
Founder, Candified | Swedie Pop! | Owner, Candytopia
“Congratulations Tony Award Winner! You have the Midas touch. Memphis had some stiff competition and prevailed.”
Alia M. Jones-Harvey
Producer, Front Row Productions, Inc.
“For over 10 years, Wanda has been a consultant, participant and Starbucks representative for the Odyssey Network Business Retreat. She has been a staple and role model for successful women.”
Ronda Williams
CEO, Brand Speaks
Work With Us
Meet with Wanda.
Tell W Communications about your organization and what you need, whether that is strategic communications counsel or Wanda on your stage. The more detail you share, the faster we can tell you if we are the right fit.