Okanagan College Media Release

Launi Skinner, President and Chief Operating Officer of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, has been named Okanagan College’s 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award winner.

Skinner graduated from Okanagan College in 1985 with a Business Administration diploma. Less than a decade later she began a prolific career with Starbucks, during which time she became the most senior woman in the organization, rising to the position of President of Starbucks U.S. 

In 2007 Fortune Magazine named her one of its “Four Women to Watch.” With her career climbing steadily and after nearly 15 years with Starbucks, Skinner took command of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? in 2008. As President and COO of the growing organization, she is responsible for the growth of the 1-800-GOT-JUNK? brand in North America and Australia.

An exceptional leader, Skinner’s role is to lead the growth of the business through development of strategies and programs that drive revenue and increase profitability for franchise partners.

“I am deeply honoured the Alumni Association has selected me for this award,” said Skinner. “I am proud of my association with Okanagan College and credit the valuable education and great community culture I experienced there with many of the successes I’ve enjoyed in my career.”

Since joining 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Skinner’s impact has been extensive. She established the company’s strategic direction, refocused the business to include more commercial business opportunities, developed a regional infrastructure to help drive accountability and growth and paved the way for the company’s current focus on developing an environmental strategy for the future.

“The Okanagan College Alumni Association is honoured to recognize Launi Skinner as a Distinguished Alumna of Okanagan College,” said OCAA President Kara Kazimer. “Her professional achievements and personal successes have contributed greatly to the reputation of Okanagan College, its school of business, and its graduates.”

In addition to earning her business diploma from Okanagan College, Skinner is also a Certified General Accountant and sits on the Board of Trustees for the Northwest Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle, WA.

She will be honoured by the Okanagan College Alumni Association with the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award alongside the 2009 Young Alumni Award winner at a dinner reception this fall.