Peri Widener

Peri Widener is CEO of the GloBil Consulting Group, focusing on providing business insight and advice to global organizations. She is also a Director of the International Women’s Forum Global Board and a member of the Dean's Advisory Board Fabulous 50. Prior to it, Widener had an illustrious career (over 35 years) at the Boeing Company where she held senior executive positions with progressively responsible roles leading Profit and Loss business segments, program management, business development, and government affairs.

Most recently, Widener served as the Vice President and General Manager, Boeing Global Services. She was responsible for managing the largest portfolio of Performance Based Logistics programs in the world. Widener was also responsible for establishing the Boeing United Kingdom Rotorcraft operation located outside of London. She served as the Board Chair for the Saudi Rotorcraft Support Company, a Saudi Arabia/ United States joint venture based in Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She has a vast experience and proven success in working across cultures and myriad global business models in Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Europe, and the Americas.

Widener holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wichita State University majoring in Broadcast Journalism and minoring in Business and Piano Performance and a Master of Business Administration from Seattle University. She still plays the piano nowadays. "It brings me joy. It’s a way to travel without leaving your piano bench, brings you freedom. Creativity. I mean, music is such a gift and a stress reliever. … It just takes you to places that almost nothing else can."

Currently, her objective is to help students develop into leaders with a global mindset. For this reason, she decided to fund the Widener Global Leaders Program. Each year, eight Wichita State students with diverse backgrounds are selected from the W. Frank Barton School of Business, the Elliott School of Communication, and the College of Fine Arts to participate in activities which will develop leadership skills, cultural acuity, and business capabilities. 

This program believes in a multi-disciplinary approach where Business, Communication and Music meet in harmony. This program will take the selected students through a journey of personal and professional growth. Students will have the opportunity to network with and be mentored by global business and organizations leaders.

“I believe such a multidisciplinary background" Widener said. "Liberal arts and business schooling combined with acquired business skills and seasoned with a fine arts background – can be a fundamental differentiator in making graduates successful in today’s complex world. This mix drives creative problem-solving, an ability to communicate effectively and flexibility – all keys to successful leadership."