2024 Award Recipients

Alumni and friends of the college will be honored for their outstanding professional and service accomplishments during WMU Homecoming week. These individuals serve as a representation of the values of the Haworth College of Business and as an inspiration and example to our students.

This year's recipients will be on campus for an awards ceremony, which will take place on Oct. 25 at 4 p.m. in 2150 Schneider Hall.

Haworth College of Business Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award

Professional photo of Anthony Kyles wearing a gray suit and tie

Anthony Kyles, B.B.A.’92

Chief Customer Officer of Meals and Beverages, Campbell’s

Anthony Kyles is leading the U.S. retail sales team for Campbell’s soups, meals, sauces and beverages, driving growth with the company’s retail customers. Throughout his career, he has provided visionary leadership, instilled a culture of transparency, built long-term relationships, and successfully managed complex product portfolios.

Kyles’ biographical information

Photo of Laura Morrison wearing a blue turtleneck sweater

Laura V. Morrison, B.B.A.’88

Independent Trustee, World Funds Trust, ETF Opportunities Trust, Precidian ETF Trust

Morrison spent 22 years at the New York Stock Exchange, working her way up from the trading floor to work on key teams within the NYSE. She currently serves as independent trustee on three boards, which represent $10 billion in assets supporting 21 different investment advisors, seven unaffiliated subadvisors for 30 listed exchange traded funds and 24 mutual funds.

Morrison’s biographical information

Haworth College of Business Outstanding Service Award

Kirsten Settle wearing a printed shirt against a wood background

Kirsten Settle, B.S.’18

Partner, Lonergan Partners

Widely recognized as one of the most influential recruiters in Silicon Valley, Kirsten Settle’s work involves supporting founders, CEOs, and boards by building senior leadership teams. A thought leader on tech leadership, she lends her expertise in many forums, including the Amazon Web Services Startup Predictions series. Settle was the student founder of TechNext, an innovative entrepreneurship program for students at Western Michigan University.

Settle’s biographical information

Haworth College of Business Emerging Leader Alumni Award

Professional photo of Emilee Cavis

Emilee Cavis, B.B.A.’07

Vice President, Sports Brand Partnerships, FOX Sports
Professional photo of Phillip Garcia wearing a dark suit and red tie

Phillip Garcia, B.B.A.’13

Operations Director and Co-owner, CCI Industrial Constructors

Department awards

Professional photo of Bill Taulbee wearing a dark jacket and checked shirt

Department of Accountancy Outstanding Alumni Award

Bill Taulbee, B.B.A.’98
—Vice President of Internal Audit and Chief Audit Executive, Western Digital
Photo of Drew Flint wearing a green shirt against a light background

Department of Business Information Systems Outstanding Alumni Award

Drew Flint, B.B.A.’94
—Distinguished Engineer, Rockwell Automation
Kai Blache in a black tuxedo jacket and bowtie

Department of Finance and Commercial Law Outstanding Alumni Award

Kai Blache, B.B.A.’03
—Chief Financial Officer and President, TicketSocket
Blagica Bottigliero

Department of Marketing Outstanding Alumni Award

Blagica Bottigliero, B.B.A.’98
—Principal and Founder, Zlato
Photo of Gil Green wearing a dark jacket and striped tie with flags in the background

WMU ROTC Wall of Fame Award

Colonel Gil Green, B.B.A.’54
—Posthumous