Deirdre Fernandez is an Associate Director in University Affairs who oversees various workstreams as part of the growing partnership between Arizona State University and Starbucks, including sustainability, technology, and new developments. In addition, she co-leads the ASU-Starbucks Center for the Future of People and the Planet. The year Deirdre spent embedded at Starbucks headquarters in Seattle provided her unique insight into the value drivers of a partnership between a public university and a for-profit corporation. Prior to this role, Deirdre managed a non-profit tutoring program housed in ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College. Deirdre has a B.S. in Economics and an MBA from ASU's W.P. Carey School of Business and spends her free time hiking and camping with her pup.