Christine C. McHugh

Christine C. McHugh began her career at Starbucks as a barista at age 19, marking the start of a 27-year tenure with the company. When McHugh joined, Starbucks operated just 37 stores; she later led strategic initiatives across more than 13,000 stores in the United States and Canada, ultimately serving as vice president of customer service and operations services.

In her memoir, "From Barista to Boardroom," McHugh details her nontraditional path in corporate leadership, including taking a year off midcareer to travel, balancing motherhood as an executive, and returning to school at age 40. The book blends autobiography and business insights, illustrating her progression from front-line service to developing programs implemented companywide. "From Barista to Boardroom" has received positive reviews from industry leaders, including former Starbucks president Howard Behar, who described it as an honest and direct account of her professional journey.

Following her time at Starbucks, McHugh served as chief strategy officer at Tangelo Health, a sports chiropractic and rehabilitation startup, where she contributed to market expansion and revenue growth. She later established her own consulting firm, focusing on executive coaching, strategic planning, operations, and organizational culture development. McHugh partners with leaders of small and medium-sized organizations to implement effective business strategies and build leadership capabilities.

As a keynote speaker, McHugh addresses topics such as leadership, women in business, business consulting, human resources, teamwork, and professional development. She is frequently engaged for strategic planning retreats, drawing on her extensive experience as a facilitator, coach, and business leader to help organizations clarify goals and improve team performance. In addition to her consulting work, McHugh serves as president of the board for the Green Apron Alliance, a global nonprofit for Starbucks alumni. She is also an endurance athlete, having completed four full marathons, more than 25 half marathons, and three century rides.