R. Ethan Braden, Willamette ’02
General Session and Leadership College
Ethan is the Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Texas A&M University, where he leads efforts to elevate the university’s brand and reputation. Reporting to President Mark Welsh (a retired four-star general and former member of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff), he has spearheaded a bold, values-driven branding strategy that has dramatically increased visibility—most notably, a 21,000% rise in YouTube views—and positioned Texas A&M as the #2 most recognized public university in the U.S. Previously, Ethan served as EVP and CMO at Purdue University and Purdue Global, where his leadership earned multiple “Brands That Matter” honors and helped Purdue top Fast Company’s list of Most Innovative Companies in education. His marketing work has been recognized by outlets like Ad Age and NPR, and he was named “Marketer of the Year” in higher education by the American Marketing Association. Before higher education, Ethan spent nearly a decade leading global marketing efforts at Eli Lilly. He holds a BA from Willamette University and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. Ethan is a proud member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, where he worked on the Administrative Office staff after graduation and has served in a variety of volunteer roles over the last 20+ years, including a six-year stint on the Foundation Board of Directors. He lives in College Station, Texas, with his wife and three children.
Dr. Mike McRee
Chapter President’s Leadership Academy
Mike is the Principal of The Whitespace Group, where he helps clients focus on what matters most through consulting, coaching, and facilitation. He has over 30 years of experience in organizational development, training, and executive leadership, including roles as faculty at the Federal Executive Institute and leadership instructor for the Air Force and Department of Defense. Previously, he served as COO of the North American Interfraternity Conference, an adjunct professor at the University of Indianapolis, and VP at LeaderShape where partnered with Fortune 500 companies and higher education institutions to teach leadership and ethics. Mike has keynoted or facilitated at over 250 events, co-founded a nationally delivered Facilitation School, and received numerous national awards for his contributions to leadership and the fraternal industry. He holds degrees from Kansas State University and the University of Illinois, including a Ph.D. in Human Resource Education. Mike lives in Huntersville, NC with his wife Kirstin and daughter Zoe.
Nicki Joiner
Leadership College
Nicki is an engaging and impactful speaker who equips students with the tools to confidently navigate their career paths. With a background in corporate recruiting and a Master’s degree in Student Affairs, she brings a unique blend of industry insight and higher education expertise to every talk. As a featured speaker for Leadership College, Nicki’s sessions cover résumé building, job search strategy, networking, and LinkedIn optimization, offering students practical skills they can apply immediately.
