Pandora Internet radio executive to speak Nov. 15 at W&L

“Streaming Wars and the Future of Music” will be the topic of John Donaldson’s address when he speaks at Washington and Lee Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. in the Hillel Multipurpose Room. The event is free and open to the public.

Donaldson, a 1992 graduate of W&L, is vice president of corporate development and strategy at Pandora Internet Radio. He serves on the senior leadership team of Pandora, where he leads corporate development, business development and strategy.

Previously, he spent eight years at Microsoft leading business development and strategy for its Interactive Entertainment Business, including Xbox, Xbox Live and MS media and entertainment issues, and serving as chief of staff for the Microsoft Health Solutions Group in Redmond, Washington.

“John’s background in music, technology and entrepreneurship epitomizes the liberal arts and gives students a great idea of what is possible with a degree from W&L,” said Andrew Hess, associate professor of business administration at Washington and Lee.

Donaldson graduated with honors in history from W&L and also holds a law degree from the University of Virginia.

While on campus, Donaldson will lecture in several classes including Strategic Management, Foundations of Business Law, Management Information Systems, Neural Networks and Graphical Models, and Entrepreneurship in his role as The Williams School Executive-in-Residence. He will also participate in mock interviews with students, arranged through the Career Development office.