Robert B. Hargadon, B.A.
Vice President of Human Resources, drugstore.com

Hargadon is responsible for all facets of talent management and human resources at drugstore.com. He also managed corporate learning and development at Microsoft Corporation and led the HR team for Boston Scientific. Experienced in global HR, staffing and development, Hargadon began his career at Digital Equipment Corporation. He also worked as VP of training and management development at Fidelity Investments. Hargadon contributed the chapter, Strategizing for Success in HR in Capitalizing on HR Trends, a series published by Aspatore Books.

Richard McPherson, M.B.A.
Lecturer, UW Foster School of Business and Adjunct Professor of Marketing, Seattle University

McPherson has 25 years of business and industry experience including serving as a Vice President at T-Mobile and at AT&T Broadband, and as a Partner in a small consulting firm. He has been a leader of various aspects of seven different mergers, acquisition and divestiture projects, ranging in scope from $2.5 billion to $60 billion in value. He has started four different business units within large corporations, and has also been involved with small business and non-profit strategic planning and operations improvement. McPherson teaches courses in management, strategy, and leadership.

Steven J. Steckler, M.A.
Director of HR Integration, Corporate Venture Integration, Microsoft Corporation

Steckler has held senior HR generalist and functional specialist positions at top global companies including Microsoft, TRW, WPP, Citibank and Marriott International. He has focused on executive and management talent selection, development and retention, succession management, organizational effectiveness and on strengthening human resources strategies and programs in support of achieving business objectives. Steve is currently a faculty presenter at the University of Alberta School of Business HR executive and corporate leadership programs and has taught at Cornell's advanced HR Certificate program and at Marymount University. Steckler is currently the President of the Pacific Northwest HR Strategic Forum and on the Board of Directors for The Human Resources Planning Society.

Norman J. Tonina, Jr., M.A.
HR Consultant

Tonina joined Microsoft in 1993 after several years as Sr. Software Business Manager with Digital Equipment Corporation where he was responsible for pricing and licensing operating systems and software products. Tonina migrated from finance to human resources at Microsoft in 1999, and most recently served as General Manager of People and Organization Capability at Microsoft, where he focused on company culture, talent management, and leadership. Tonina retired from Microsoft in May 2008. He has taught at Antioch University in Seattle and in the UW Technology Management MBA Program.

Instructors are subject to change.