Leadership Speaker Series

George Koonce’s career didn’t peak when he collected a Super Bowl XXXI ring as a linebacker and defensive captain for the Green Bay Packers. He completed his bachelor’s degree at age 29. And after retiring from the NFL three year later, transferred his goal-driven focus and instincts for evaluating talent from the locker room to leadership roles for the Packers organization, higher education, and corporate boards – all while earning a master’s degree in sports management from East Carolina University and a PhD in sociology and sports administration from Marquette University.

Dr. Koonce’s ability to read the room, focus on developing strengths toward organizational success, and broad professional network have helped him build partnerships with organizations and communities to advance equitable access to college, drive corporate growth, increase the diversity of voices on boards, raise operational funding, and make capital projects happen, including the $23 million renovation of a science building at Marian University, where he currently serves as Senior Vice President of University Relations.