Richie Etwaru

--- Human Data Ethicist, Founder & CEO @Hu-manity.co ---

The divide between the industry and academia is widening. The next generation of graduates are being armed with knowledge and skills that are irrelevant by the time they graduate. Professionals must collaborate with professors and cultivate classrooms where everyone benefits.
You've been giving back to the academic community for several years now. What motivates you to be a guest speaker?

In order for one to teach or tell, they must be familiar with the deepest aspects of a topic. Teaching gives me the opportunity to “go deep” on many topics where I usually would have gotten by with only a surface level understanding.

How do you prepare for a speaking engagement?

I focus on the effectiveness of the transfer of my message to the audience. I pay less attention to what I want to say and more attention to what needs to be said so that information is effectively transferred and understood.

What advice would you give industry folks who wish to commit to education in some way?

It is an intersection of, philanthropy, networking and personal growth.

Richie Etwaru Bio:

Richie Etwaru believes the most important ingredient for change is courage. Courage not mistaken with risk but consistent with the bravery required to embark upon something never attempted. Richie has spanned unlikely disciplines and multiple continents over two decades. He has had the honor to operate in academia, entrepreneurship, government advisory, and Fortune 500 companies in financial services and healthcare. He’s been quoted in NPR, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Financial Times, The Washington Post, Computer World, Forbes, VentureBeat, WIRED, and has appeared on dozens of television stations and media outlets globally. As founder and CEO of Hu-manity.co, Etwaru is known for pursuing the 31st Human Right “everyone has the right to legal ownership of their inherent human data as property.” He is driven to reshape the world by creating a new data economy, where inherent human data is legally human property.

Spotlights
I love talking about my work, life, and perspectives. It's a very engaging and fulfilling experience for me to be able to connect with people openly and honestly on that level.
- Adeet Deshmukh Guest lecturing is rewarding in that it allows me to stay abreast of what the next generation is thinking and what the top academics are concerned about and it allows me to give back and share my wisdom with tomorrows society leaders.
- Rishad Tobaccowalla There is a distance between the world of academia and industry-- giving back to students with a professional's perspective tightens that distance and gives students invaluable direction for their future.
- Jared Nicol The divide between the industry and academia is widening. The next generation of graduates are being armed with knowledge and skills that are irrelevant by the time they graduate. Professionals must collaborate with professors and cultivate classrooms where everyone benefits.
- Richie Etwaru Bringing in communication professionals to guest lecture in my classroom is an excellent way to bring the material home and to further inspire students and to educate them on the various opportunities in our industry.
- Michelle Truelson One of the biggest challenges for college professors is insuring that real-world demands of work and of professions are represented. Most professors have career experience working as teachers and researchers and don’t necessarily have detailed understanding of the needs of other professions. At the same time, we are expected to help prepare the next generation to move into business and professions. Guest lectures can be one solution to this challenge. Industry experts, corporate leaders, and business professionals can help insure that class content is relevant to the world of work.
- Matthew Seeger, Ph.D. Most rewarding experience for me is getting students excited about a career in Consumer Insights, and seeing the value of anthropological thinking to consumer research
- Timothy Malefyt, Ph.D. I am very motivated to share my life and professional experiences with students, so that I can bring some insight into the world of entrepreneurship, which is the most scary, grueling yet rewarding career path there is.
- Gaye Tomlinson Speaking provides an opportunity for me to teach and share information that can change lives.
- Karen I. Wilson, Ph.D. Guest lecturing provides an opportunity to connect with community at-large
- Mugdha Yeolekar, Ph.D. I like talking about PR because it’s something everything thinks they understand - but they really don’t know how it is different from advertising or marketing. I break it down in simple terms and make the tactics and theories very digestible.
- Andrea Holland I have been very fortunate in my life and career. It’s my pleasure to share my experience to help others get their start.
- Don Lupo “I’m on and see both sides of the equation. I ask and I deliver as a presenter. For 46 years and 79 semesters of teaching, I have used as many as 27 outside pros to make a memorable semester of Marketing, business or advertising classes at USC, at CSUN, at LMU and at Pepperdine (Both undergrad and graduate). The speakers help a class standout, be memorable and the students stay interested and focused. The students get much more from an organized, special class with relevant, top-notch speakers, presenters and judges. Always have and always will.”
- Larry Steven Londre I strongly believe in the practice of service, whether it was my military service or just helping total strangers. At this point in my life experience, I suppose I have entered the developmental stage of generativity, where I want to contribute to the wellbeing of younger generations.
- Kevin Beatty I invite guest speakers to show my students people who look like them who have achieved. I want to put them in the room with people who have the potential to shape their careers. I know from my personal experience how a guest speaker can change the way you see yourself and what’s possible for you.
- Ebony Utley, Ph.D.