President’s series features ‘remarkable’ speaker

Entrepreneur and author Guy Kawasaki is the keynote speaker and Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson will be on a discussion panel that follows.

Guy Kawasaki
Entrepreneur and author Guy Kawasaki will be the keynote at the President's Speaker Series, Feb. 12.

By Mark Muckenfuss

If you use a Mac computer, you might want to give Guy Kawasaki a nod of recognition. 

Kawasaki, who will be the keynote speaker at the latest installment of the President’s Speaker Series, Feb. 12, was one of Apple’s early employees in 1984 and was an “evangelist” for the now-popular computer. 

A Watsonville resident, Kawasaki recently published his 16th book, “Think Remarkable,” a guide for “transforming your life and making a difference.” Along the way, the multifaceted entrepreneur has worked with such companies as Motorola, Mercedes Benz and Canva. He also started several tech-oriented companies of his own and became a sought-after consultant and speaker. He has a weekly podcast, “Guy Kawasaki’s Remarkable People,” where he has interviewed such notable people as Jane Goodall, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Stacey Abrams.

And he is part of the Otter family. His daughter graduated last year with a degree in cinematic arts and technology. 

He said he plans to address being remarkable during his CSUMB talk. It will not be an effervescent speech.

“My talks are always very practical and tactical,” he said. “I’m not a self-help guru. There will be a top 10 ways to become a remarkable person.” 

Being remarkable, he said, involves three phases of activity. The first is growth, and it requires having an open mindset rather than a fixed one, with the ability to see opportunities and possibilities. The second phase is grit, which involves the hard work of turning an idea into a reality. Finally, there is the grace phase in which the remarkable person “pays back” the community out of gratitude.

Kawasaki said he is pleased to present his ideas at CSUMB.

“I think the California state schools are a remarkable educational institution and I love the Cal State schools,” he said. “Education is the key to being remarkable.”

In addition to his keynote address, Kawasaki will participate in a panel discussion with four CSUMB alumni led by Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson. Other panelists are: Patrice Rodriquez (‘18, ‘21), a procurement category manager for Taylor Farms and founder of Mobile Signature Solutions; Amanda Conteras (‘21), owner of Brewjee Coffee Co. in Salinas; and Sean Capistrano (‘11), a partner with financial services firm CliftonLarsonAllen.

The event is free and open to the public. It runs from 4 - 6 p.m. at the World Theater, 5260 6th Ave., Seaside. RSVP online.

 

News Information

Published
January 21, 2025
Department/College
Office of the President, University News
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