The College’s David Orser Executive Speakers Forum is named for David B. Orser, a 1966 MSU graduate who started funding the program in 1988 in order to inspire MSU business students to pursue careers as innovative, responsible, and ethical business leaders.

These events are FREE and open to the public!

Upcoming Orser Executive Speakers Forum:

Bill Hilf

Bill Hilf

FALL 2025

Wednesday, September 10

Public Presentation: 5:00 pm
Location: SUB Procrastinator Theater

MSU Calendar: 

 
About the Presentation:

Titled, "Prairie-Size Opportunities: Translating Emerging Tech into Profit and Purpose," Hilf will discuss how to read the signal in bleeding-edge tech, spot “prairie-size” opportunities, and lead through uncertainty—creating value that satisfies the margin today and advances the mission for tomorrow.

 

About the Speaker:

Bill Hilf, brings over 25 years of experience building world-class teams and scaling transformative software products at the forefront of technology change. At IBM, he pioneered open-source strategies and developed some of the world’s largest scientific computing systems. At Microsoft, he convinced the company to adopt open source while leading the global Windows Server business, and helped build and launch Azure into a multi-billion-dollar cloud platform. He then modernized HP's cloud division before becoming CEO of Vale Group (formerly Vulcan Inc.) from 2016 to 2024. There, he successfully steered Paul Allen's diverse portfolio through complex challenges, overseeing ventures that spanned aerospace, real estate development, sports franchises, museums, film production, and cutting-edge research institutes focused on brain science, artificial intelligence, and conservation.

Today, Bill continues to lead at the intersection of emerging technologies and purpose-driven impact as Board Chair of both the Allen Institute for AI (AI2) and American Prairie. At AI2, he champions breakthrough AI research for the common good—from open large-language models to groundbreaking applications in climate modeling, wildlife conservation, and maritime intelligence that protect both endangered species and ocean ecosystems worldwide. At American Prairie, he helps guide the creation of North America's largest nature reserve, a 3.2 million-acre vision that supports both wildlife and local communities.

Bill also serves on the University of Washington School of Computer Science & Engineering Advisory Board and, through his consulting firm Highwood Consulting, partners with leaders navigating the convergence of technology, science, and philanthropy. His commitment to purpose-driven leadership extends to High Five Sports, which he founded in 2008 to provide sports programs for over 1,500 street children in the Philippines, building confidence and leadership through athletics.

When not working, he can be found exploring remote wilderness areas from Montana to Africa, mentoring the next generation of leaders, or writing fiction stories that explore the convergence of technology, nature, and humanity's potential. His first sci-fi novel is scheduled for publication later this year.

Past Speakers (listed chronologically, oldest to newest):

Arthur Peterson                            
David Oreck, chairman of Oreck Corporation
Joseph T. Wells, chairman and founder of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
Gerald Searfoss
John Goodrich
J. Luther King
Sam McDonald
James Alderson
Martin White
Paul A. Stewart, manager of global business development for a division of Eli Lilly
Christopher Disher, vice president for Booz Allen Hamilton
Dana Lasher, owner of Get Ready Girls, Inc.
Jonathan Howlett, worldwide director of advertising for BBC Global Channels
Mary Perry, president of the promotion agency division of Ryan Partnership
Delmar Jones, president of Cindel Group, Inc. and owner of Jonesy's Classic Cleaners
Lyle Knight, president and CEO of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.
Investment Panel (4 speakers)
Andrew Field, founder and president of PrintingForLess.com
Alan Rypinski, serial entrepreneur and the founder of ArmorAll
Ian B. Davidson, chairman of Davidson Companies and Davidson & Co.
Jeff Sundheim, account director at Google
Stu Bohart, President of Liquid Markets at Fortress Investment Group
Richard Broome, former member of the White House crisis management team
Richard "Bob" Chickering, serial entrepreneur and business executive
M.H. Elovitz, director of the Centre for Strategic Geopolitics
Ashley Jablow, challenge and client lead for OpenIDEO
Kristy Young, digital product management executive and managing partner for blaZe interactive, LLC
Marty McVey, president of McVey & Associates, LLC
Gerald Grinstein, strategic director of Madrona Venture Group and past CEO of Delta Air Lines
Tim Solso, General Motors' board director and past chairman and CEO of Cummins Inc.
Lachlan Perks, past chief operating officer of Eclipse, Inc.
Nicole Jones, senior law enforcement and security counsel at Google
Rich Barton, former Microsoft executive and a founder of the online companies Expedia, Zillow, and Glassdoor
David B. Orser, a former president of Occidental International Oil and the founder of this event series
Vu Le, a writer, speaker, blogger and executive director of Rainier Valley Corps
Behrooz Abdi, a technology entrepreneur and investor
Ben Deuling, owner of SporeAttic and Zariah Tolman, founder & executive director of Positivity Outward
Dave Stephenson, CFO and head of Employee Experience at Airbnb
Ray Sedey, Chairman & CEO of McCarthy Holdings, Inc.
Karen Rose, Managing Director of Commercial Leasing for One World Trade Center
Heidi Browning, Chief Marketing Officer of the NHL
Mitch Thompson, Co-Founder & CFO of Iron Oil