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Summer 2026

Business Leaders

Summer 2026

Sharon Lynch’s Journey to Tech Leadership

What does it take to be a tech CEO and what path leads a person there?

Sharon Lynch is CEO of Modus Create, a global consulting company that helps organizations modernize legacy systems, build digital products, and deploy AI‑driven solutions.

Sharon graduated from Washington State University’s management information systems program in the Carson College of Business, one of the first alums with an MIS degree in 1998. Sharon was also in the WSU Honors College and a university-wide sorority leader.

Washington State Magazine editor Larry Clark talks with Sharon about how her experiences at WSU led her to the tech industry.

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Big Door Company truck in front of a construction project
Winter 2024

Big doors, big dreams

There are doors—and then there are really big, automated doors.

For the latter, Darren Kiesler (’05 Arch.) and Boone Helm (’03 Comm.) run the Big Door Company, which installs and automates large door systems throughout the western United States and British Columbia.

The longtime friends met at WSU and then became business partners a few years ago.

Kiesler and Helm answered questions for Washington State Magazine about their unusual company, time at WSU, incredible projects, and how automated doors could help people.

All photos courtesy the Big Door Company

 

How did you get the idea of a company focused … » More …

Kellie Zimmerman. Courtesy Brightloom
Summer 2023

Kellie Zimmerman, Brightloom, and adventures in tech

Kellie Zimmerman (’01 Busi.) is no stranger to the Seattle tech scene. And she’s on a new adventure in the industry.

She spent over 15 years building and leading teams in companies such as Concur and Avalara.

Kellie Zimmerman. Courtesy Brightloom

Zimmerman is now CEO of Bellevue-based startup Brightloom, which leverages AI and data to help restaurants such as El Pollo Loco, Ruby Tuesday, and Jamba Juice accelerate their marketing and customer engagement.

In this episode of Viewscapes, she talks about the twists … » More …