Liz Altman, ME ’88, became involved with the college in 1991 when she spoke at a manufacturing engineering seminar on campus. She has always been an active Cornell alumna and presently serves on the Engineering College Council, the President’s Council of Cornell Women, the Cornell University Council, and the Entrepreneurship and Personal Enterprise Advisory Board. She also talks with high school students as part of the CAAAN program.
Liz is vice president and director of business development in Motorola’s Personal Communications Sector. She has worldwide responsibility for equity investments, acquisitions, joint ventures, technology licenses, and strategic alliances. Liz began her career at Motorola in 1992 after earning dual graduate degrees in mechanical engineering and management in MIT’s Leaders for Manufacturing Program.
"I liked Cornell from day one. Both parents went to Cornell, which meant originally I wasn’t going to go! But I wanted to do engineering as part of a big university where I could take liberal arts classes, and Cornell was the place for that. As a freshman I joined Cornell Ambassadors. It was a good opportunity to give back, to talk to incoming students, and to meet with trustees. I saw how alumni stayed involved.
"As a recent grad I was really involved with social events everywhere I lived, including Japan. It’s a great way to meet people. I was thrilled when Ken White (EE ’69, MEng ’70) invited me to speak at the manufacturing engineering seminar in 1991. I saw how much the students liked hearing from someone who had gone out in the world.
"You can pick and choose how you want to participate in a way that is helpful and fun. My involvement with Cornell has evolved as my life has changed. I like public speaking, so I come up and do that. Five years ago I wouldn’t have had any interest in interviewing high school students, but now that I’m living with two stepchildren who are also deciding about college, I love getting to meet other kids and hear what interests them. It’s fun to feel like I’m helping them out, but then I get to ask them questions too.
"I’ve always been recharged by my interactions on campus; it gives a different dimension to my life. I like to come back and go to the Cornell Orchards and drink Cornell chocolate milk."
