Lagrant Foundation and Microsoft and Office of Equity and Inclusion

Fireside Chat

The Microsoft Fireside Chat, a significant event made possible with support from The LAGRANT Foundation (TLF), brought together students from the University of Washington's Tacoma, Seattle, and Bothell campuses to connect with leaders in business and communication.

These remarkable individuals are not only experts in their fields but also champions of diversity and inclusion. Frank X. Shaw, Chief Communications Officer at Microsoft, holds a pivotal role in defining and managing the company's global communication strategies. With over 20 years of experience, he's recognized as a top PR professional in the tech industry and is an advocate for diversity. He proudly served in the US Marine Corps and is actively involved in organizations like the Seattle YMCA and The LAGRANT Foundation.
Allison Holmes, a TLF Alumna of 2018, works as a CEO Communications Manager at Microsoft. She's passionate about mentoring early-career professionals and increasing diversity in the tech industry. Diem Nguyen, a TLF Alumna of 2007, founded Litibu Collective, offering cultural and culinary experiences through a subscription box. Her mission is to foster cultural understanding and compassion, sharing her love for diverse cultures with subscribers.
TLF is anon-profit organization dedicated to increasing ethnic minority representation in advertising, marketing, and public relations. It provides scholarships, career development workshops, mentorships, and internships to underrepresented students. Since 1998, TLF has awarded $3 million in scholarships and helped launch over 675 careers. They've also conducted 625 career development workshops, reaching more than 10,500 students. TLF has received the American Advertising Federation Mosaic Award, and during milestone anniversaries, they've awarded $250,000 in scholarships.
Scholarship recipients, like Lesly Rodriguez, Juwan Thompson, Carmen Ma, and Luis Sánchez, attest to TLF's transformative impact through mentorship, networking, and endless career development opportunities. TLF opens doors, connects diverse professionals, and fosters the belief that aspiring higher is possible. The Microsoft Fireside Chat, backed by TLF and founder Kim Hunter, demonstrated the potential that arises when diversity, passion, and opportunity converge. This event celebrated the power of education, mentorship, and inclusive excellence, aligning with TLF's mission to embrace diversity today and shape tomorrow's future. By sharing their extraordinary journeys, these individuals reminded us that when doors open, dreams take flight, and futures transform. Together, they exemplify the immense potential in advertising, marketing, and public relations.