Virginia Tenpenny serves as vice-president of Global Social Impact at Starbucks Coffee Company and executive director of The Starbucks Foundation.  With her team, Virginia works with partners around the world to guide global long-term investments that improve livelihoods and strengthen communities.  Among her team’s current goals are removing barriers to opportunities for U.S. military veterans and spouses, opportunity youth, and refugees around the globe.  Additionally, she oversees Starbucks community initiatives focused on civic engagement, community service, and disaster relief. 

Outside Starbucks, Virginia serves on the board of The LAGRANT Foundation, an organization focused on providing internships and scholarships to ethnic minorities pursuing careers in advertising, marketing, and public affairs.  In 2018, Virginia also joined the board of USA for UNHCR, an organization helping and protecting refugees and people displaced by violence, conflict and persecution.  

Virginia joined Starbucks Ethical Sourcing team in 2006 to develop and implement social responsibility standards for Starbucks global manufactured goods supply chain.  Before her current role, Virginia served as director of Public Affairs for Latin America, leading communication strategy and developing a regional community investment model. 

After graduating from the University of Colorado in 1999, Virginia taught English in Vietnam and Ecuador before moving to Seattle in 2003.  She started her career in corporate social responsibility with Nordstrom.