Students and aspiring business professionals gathered at the Brian K. Johnson Auditorium on Thursday, September 11th, for an engaging installment of the Conversations with the Dean series, hosted by the School of Business. The event featured Dr. Antwon D. Woods, Dean of Business, in dialogue with two distinguished leaders from Fortune 200 company Altria: Trent Williams, Senior Director of Field Sales, and Raven Braden, Sales Manager.
From 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, attendees had the opportunity to hear firsthand about the evolving landscape of sales in a major corporate environment. The discussion focused on the practical realities of leading in sales, navigating a competitive market, and the critical role of adaptability in today’s business world.
“This is about more than just theory,” Dr. Woods emphasized in his opening remarks. “Today’s conversation is designed to bring you closer to the real world challenges and opportunities that define business leadership today.”
Trent Williams, with over two decades of experience in sales strategy and field operations, shared insights into managing large scale sales teams and maintaining alignment across diverse markets. “Sales is both science and art,” Williams said. “You have to understand the data, but also how to connect with people, customers and teams alike.”
Raven Braden, a rising leader within Altria, brought a fresh perspective on leadership development, work-life balance, and the importance of mentorship. “My path in business hasn’t been linear,” Braden noted. “But every step has taught me something valuable and I encourage students to be open to unexpected opportunities.”
The event concluded with a Q&A session, where students asked about breaking into corporate sales, navigating early career decisions, and how to stand out in a competitive field.
As a powerful show of support for student development and academic excellence, Altria also presented a $20,000 donation to the ASU Foundation in support of the School of Business. The funds will help enhance educational resources and opportunities for current and future business students.
Students described the event as both informative and inspiring. “Hearing directly from people in the industry gave me a new perspective on what it takes to succeed in business,” said Nevaeh Pease, a Junior Business Marketing major.
Dr. Woods’ Guest Speaker Series is part of an ongoing effort to bridge classroom learning with real-world experience by bringing high-impact professionals to campus.
“We’re here to shape not just students, but future leaders,” Dr. Woods said. “These conversations are a part of that mission.”