For two hours, University of Washington Bothell students will have direct access to the man responsible for putting Starbucks on the world map. Howard Behar, former president of Starbucks Coffee Company and Starbucks Coffee International will share his insights on successful leadership on Tuesday from 6-8:30 p.m.

UW Bothell students have a rare opportunity to hear from Behar about his leadership approach, which many would describe as bold, much like a strong coffee flavor and like the student-run BOLD – Business and Organization Leadership Development program.

“I have known Howard for 30 years as a client, colleague and friend,” said Susan Gibson, the staff program manager for BOLD says this event will be spectacular. “I have designed many leadership programs for him and understand his philosophies. He is a perfect fit for Business & Organization Leadership and our UW Bothell students.”

Indeed it is the perfect pairing. Behar, a pace setter in the coffee industry and in leadership training, is hosted by BOLD, the self-described pace setter in undergraduate leadership development at the UW Bothell’s School of Business. Since June, 2012, this group of 19 students, called the CEO Student Ambassador Cabinet, have invested more than 2,000 hours in developing BOLD, including its programming and website.

Students attending this Leadership Lessons event are eager to learn from Behar’s wisdom and experience, and Behar comes with a great deal of advice as evidenced in his book, “It’s Not About the Coffee.” Howard Schultz described Behar in the book’s Forward, “You always know where he stands and where you stand, which is shoulder to shoulder no matter what the personal or organizational challenge.”  It only seems natural that Behar makes time to talk and listen to future business leaders.