TIM SCHOTTMAN

From Coffee to Corneas: Applying Lessons from Starbucks to Restoring Sight

In June of 2009, former Starbucks executive Tim Schottman joined SightLife to lead its global eye banking program. His challenge: translate 17 years of leadership expanding Starbucks to the far corners of the world into success building a network of eye banks expansive enough to transform lives by enabling corneal transplants for 10 million blind individuals in developing countries.

As a vice president of Marketing and then as director of Global Strategy at Starbucks, Tim helped that company grow from 100 local stores to 15,000 stores in more than 44 countries. His responsibilities included leading global strategic initiatives, managing up to 24 project teams, and developing retail and food service businesses with annual growth rates of up to 70%.