Nov. 25, 2019
Gov. Inslee Appoints Starbucks Executive Zabrina Jenkins to CWU Board of Trustees
Washington Governor Jay Inslee has appointed Zabrina Jenkins, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of Global Litigation and Employment, and interim Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer for Starbucks, to the Central Washington University Board of Trustees.
Jenkins graduated from Central in 1992, with a degree in Business Administration, and went on to earn an MS degree from the Syracuse University School of Education and a law degree from Syracuse University College of Law.
“Zabrina brings a wealth of experience as a successful litigator and as a leader,” Inslee said. “As an alumna and as a member of the advisory board for the CWU College of Business, she knows the university well and can be an immediate contributor to the board.”
Jenkins said she was honored to be appointed to the CWU Board of Trustees because it provided her with an opportunity to give back to her alma mater.
“Central played a key role in helping me decide what I wanted to do with my life,” she said. “I look forward to joining the board and helping to develop the policies that will guide the university in the years ahead.”
Jenkins said she had been particularly impressed by the efforts of CWU President James L. Gaudino to advance diversity, inclusiveness, and sustainability at the university.
In addition to her work at Starbucks, Jenkins has been active in a number of legal and civic youth organizations, including Girls Can Do, which encourages and empowers young women to pursue their dreams.
Additionally, Jenkins serves on the advisory board of the Washington Leadership Institute, which recruits, trains, and develops traditionally underrepresented attorneys for future leadership positions in the Washington State Bar Association and in the legal community. Previously, she was a member of the Board of Directors of the CWU Foundation and Artist Trust.
Before joining Starbucks in 2005, Jenkins was an associate at the Seattle-based law firm, Garvey Schubert Barer, where she focused on commercial litigation matters, including labor and employment law.
Jenkins’ term will run until September 30, 2024.
Media contact: Richard Moreno, Department of Public Affairs, 509-963-2714, Richard.Moreno@cwu.edu.