San Jose State University
An award-winning pioneer in advertising, Agnieszka Winkler graduated from San José State University with a Master of Arts in History in 1971. She had aspired to become a professor of Eastern European History, yet work at an advertising agency during graduate school set her on a different path. Ms. Winkler was one of only a few female CEOs at the time she founded Winkler Advertising, and she would eventually represent such powerhouse companies as Hewlett Packard and Sony. The company ultimately changed its name to Winkler McManus and was acquired in 2001.
Since that time, Ms. Winkler has devoted herself to giving back to professional and academic communities alike. She is a trustee at Holy Names University and Santa Clara University, where she earned her undergraduate degree and MBA, respectively. She is on the Board of Directors at the Jesuit School of Theology. She and her husband, Art Lund who is also a graduate of San José State, are avid supporters of San José State as well.
She has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the Beta Gamma Sigma Medallion for Entrepreneurship, Ad Age’s 100 Best and Brightest Women in Marketing and Advertising, and McCall’s Magazine and Adweek’s Best Woman in Advertising. She is also a San José State Distinguished Alumna. Currently Ms. Winkler is a professional corporate director based in San Francisco. She is a frequent speaker on marketing, branding and management, and spirituality in the workplace.
Ms. Winkler is an innovative entrepreneur who brings a global focus to all her activities and generously offers her expertise and counsel for the benefit of the civic community. She has a deep understanding of the ways in which advertising profoundly impacts how people understand life, themselves and the world around them. Her ability to navigate the significance of advertising and technology, and contributions to a diverse society, embody the ideals, objectives and vision of San José State University.
In recognition of her accomplishments as an entrepreneur and owner of one of the most successful independent advertising agencies in the Bay Area, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and San José State University are proud to confer upon Agnieszka Winkler the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.