- [email protected]
- (206) 368-4042
- Sept. 7, 2024 5PM - 9PM
Fireside Chat
LONNIE ALI
Co-founder of the Muhammad Ali Center & widow of Muhammad Ali
Lonnie Ali began her business career with Kraft Foods, Inc. She continued her studies at UCLA’s Graduate School of Management and received an MBA in 1986.
After her marriage to Muhammad Ali in November 1986, she assumed responsibility and management of his business affairs. In 1992, she formally incorporated Greatest of All Time, Inc. (GOAT Inc.) to centralize and license her husband’s intellectual properties for commercial purposes. She served as Vice President and Treasurer of GOAT, Inc. until the sale of the company in 2006. During her tenure, Lonnie managed the company’s daily operations and accompanied Muhammad on business trips and humanitarian initiatives, domestically and around the world. After the sale of GOAT, Lonnie was asked to serve on the management board of the newly formed Muhammad Ali Enterprises.
In 1997, Lonnie and Muhammad helped launch the Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center (MAPC) in Phoenix. Lonnie and her husband unveiled the Muhammad and Lonnie Ali Pavilion in 2009, which houses the Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center at Barrow Neurological Institute.
She and her husband opened the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville in November of 2005, where she serves as a Lifetime Director and as Vice Chair of the Center’s Board.
JOANNE HARRELL
First Lady of Seattle
Joanne Harrell has been the First-Lady of Seattle since January 2022. She is the retired senior director of USA artificial intelligence, sustainability and market development strategy at Microsoft, where she worked from 2001 to 2021.
A Regent for the UW from 2009-2022, Harrell served as board chair in 2012-2013, and as a founding chair of the Board of Regents Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee. She is currently a member of the UW Regents Advisory Committee on Real Estate.
Joanne is the immediate past board chair of Equal Opportunity Schools and serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
A multi-decade member of the International Women’s Forum (IWF), and current board member of the WA State IWF Chapter, Joanne is also a member of the Greater Seattle Chapter of The Links, Inc.
In May 2017, Joanne and her spouse, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, were co-recipients of the University of Washington Charles E. Odegaard Award for Outstanding Community Service and Diversity on behalf of the citizens of the State of Washington. This is the UW’s only University and community selected award and is regarded as its highest achievement in community impact.
More Info
The 21st Annual Captains of Industry Gala is sold out. Contact [email protected] or 206.368.4042 for Questions or Assistance with Table, Ticket, or Partnership Payments