# Wanda J. Herndon

> Wanda J. Herndon is a Seattle communications executive, founder, author and mentor whose career runs from the Michigan House of Representatives through Dow and DuPont to Starbucks, where she built the global communications function during a decade of rapid expansion. She founded W Communications in 2006, returned to advise Starbucks during its 2008 transformation, served on civic and arts boards, invested in professional basketball and Broadway productions, and published her memoir, Working Class to Breaking Glass, in 2026.

- **Role:** Founder, President and CEO at W Communications, LLC
- **Organizations:** W Communications, LLC, Starbucks Coffee Company, DuPont, The Dow Chemical Company, Michigan House of Representatives, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Wanda J. Herndon Foundation, Lacewing Foundation, Cancer Lifeline, International Women's Forum, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, The Links, Incorporated
- **From:** LaGrange, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Michigan State University, Master's degree in Journalism, Michigan State University, Honorary Doctor of Humanities, Michigan State University
- **Known for:** Built Starbucks' global communications function during its expansion from roughly 550 stores to more than 11,000 in 37 countries., Became the first African American and first external hire in Dow's communications development program in 1978., Founded W Communications, LLC in 2006.

## Career timeline

- **1975-1977** — Worked as a legislative assistant in the Michigan House of Representatives.
- **1978-1990** — Joined Dow's communications development program as its first African American and first external hire, later leading communications and marketing assignments across several businesses.
- **1990-1995** — Held senior communications management roles at DuPont, supporting its Polymers and Automotive business and leading corporate employee communications.
- **1995-2006** — Built and led Starbucks' global communications function as the company expanded from roughly 550 stores in North America to more than 11,000 stores in 37 countries.
- **2001-2006** — Served as a minority owner of the Seattle SuperSonics and Seattle Storm and on the executive board of the Basketball Club of Seattle.
- **2006** — Founded W Communications, LLC, a Seattle strategic communications consultancy.
- **2008** — Returned to Starbucks through W Communications to assist the company's transformation and communications strategy.
- **2010-2017** — Invested in Broadway productions including Memphis, First Date and Come From Away; Memphis won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Musical and Come From Away won the 2017 Tony for Best Direction of a Musical.
- **2018** — Delivered Michigan State University's undergraduate commencement address and received an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.
- **2026** — Published Working Class to Breaking Glass: One Woman's Fight to Belong and to Lead.

## Achievements

- Built Starbucks' global communications function during its expansion from roughly 550 stores to more than 11,000 in 37 countries.
- Became the first African American and first external hire in Dow's communications development program in 1978.
- Founded W Communications, LLC in 2006.
- Named one of PRWeek's 12 leading African Americans in public relations.
- Named one of Black Professionals magazine's Top 100 Black Professionals in Corporate America in 2005.
- Received the Black Women's Agenda Economic and Business Development Award in 2008.
- Received Michigan State University distinguished alumni awards in 2001, 2002 and 2014.
- Received Michigan State University's honorary Doctor of Humanities degree in 2018.
- Received a Woman of Influence honor from the Puget Sound Business Journal in 2015 and a Woman of Valor Award from Senator Maria Cantwell in 2018.
- Established the Wanda J. Herndon Endowed Journalism Scholarship at Michigan State University in 2004.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Appeared on The PR Podcast to discuss her memoir, communications career, curiosity and the obligation to help others climb.
- **2026-08** — Joined Angela Poe Russell at Town Hall Seattle for a public conversation about Working Class to Breaking Glass.
- **2026-07** — Held a Seattle memoir conversation with Starbucks executive Zabrina Jenkins at Folio Seattle.
- **2026-06** — Published Working Class to Breaking Glass: One Woman's Fight to Belong and to Lead.

## Links

- Website: https://wcommgroup.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wandajherndon
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/wandajherndon
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/wandajherndon

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/wanda-herndon
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-22