Words of wisdom will be coming from an impressive lineup of speakers at Commencement ceremonies this month.  Newark, NJ Mayor Cory Booker headlines the all-University ceremony at 8 a.m. in Brookings Quad. Olin hosts two Diploma and Awards Ceremonies for undergrad and grad students in the Athletic Complex later in the day.

Lisa Lewin, BSBA’96, will speak at the Undergraduate Ceremony on May 17 at 11:30 a.m. in the Athletic Complex Field House. Amanda Signorelli will be the student speaker at the BSBA ceremony.

Lisa Lewin is president of Teacher Education at Pearson, the global learning company. She is responsible for setting strategy, driving revenue and profitability, and seizing opportunities to disrupt and innovate in the field of educator preparation and practice. Prior to joining Pearson, she founded Mindgate Media, a New York-based digital media consultancy serving the independent and educational film industry. Lewin earned a BSBA from Olin Business School and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Barbara S. Thomas, will speak at the Graduate Ceremony at 3 p.m. on May 17 in the Athletic Complex Field House. Brooke James, MBA’13, will be the student speaker at the graduate ceremony.

Barbara Thomas is senior vice president and chief financial officer of HBO Sports. She is responsible for overseeing talent negotiations, program administration, research, strategic planning and financial and distribution operations for HBO Sports as well as HBO Pay-Per-View and HBO Archives. She serves on the Board of Trustees at Washington University in St. Louis and is chair of the University’s National Council for Arts & Sciences. Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.