'People Matter'
Ohio Wesleyan Graduate, Company CEO to Present Heisler Business Ethics Lecture on April 8
DELAWARE, Ohio – Since graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1991, Mike Hamra has worked to make a difference as a lawyer, business leader, and humanitarian. Hamra will share his journey April 8 when he presents "People Matter: The Magic of a Strong Culture" – OWU's 2024-2025 Heisler Lecture in Business Ethics.
Today, Hamra is the chairman and CEO of Hamra Enterprises, a family-owned franchisee operating nearly 200 Wendy's, Panera Bread, Noodles & Co., and Caribou Coffee locations. Since joining the family's Springfield, Missouri-based business, Hamra has helped to expand it from 26 restaurants in Chicago and Boston to almost 200 locations with more than 7,400 employees in 11 states.
"The growth of Hamra and its performance is the result of creating a culture that supports people in what matters most to them and their families," he shares. "Culture is the core of the Hamra organization. It drives everything and allows for people to create a life that matters most to them and their families."
As CEO, Hamra created a not-for-profit employee assistance fund to support company employees in times of need. The fund has raised $4 million to support first-time home purchases, medical leave, tuition reimbursement, and more, including paying student employees to do their homework at Hamra-owned restaurants and then compensating them for good grades.
Hamra also has raised millions to support organizations including the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Illinois, Children's Miracle Network in Missouri, Boston Children's Hospital, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, among others. In addition, he has worked to reduce the affordable housing crunch, having been involved in developing 3,300 low-income and senior housing units throughout the country.
After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan, Hamra went on to earn his law degree from the University of Missouri School of Law. Afterward, he worked as an attorney in Washington, D.C., specializing in telecommunications regulations and legislation. He also served as an appointee in the Clinton Administration, where he focused on supporting initiatives to connect the nation's schools, libraries, and healthcare organizations.
Hamra currently is a member of the ALSAC/St. Jude Professional Advisory Board and a board member of the Boston Children's Hospital Philanthropic Board of Advisors. He has been recognized for his accomplishments by the Boston Business Journal and the U.S. Department of Commerce, earning the Bronze Medal for Superior Federal Service. He also received the University of Missouri School of Law's first Entrepreneurship Award, The Missourian Award for outstanding contributions, and The Edwin P. Hubble Medal of Initiative.
He will present "People Matter" at 7:30 p.m. April 8 in the Benes Rooms inside OWU's Hamilton-Williams Campus Center, 40 Rowland Avenue, Delaware. Admission is free.
OWU's annual Heisler Lecture is funded by the Heisler Family Endowment for the Study of Ethics honoring university graduates James Heisler, Class of 1938; Robert Heisler, Class of 1942; and Bruce Heisler, Class of 1949. The lecture is organized by The Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship.
Learn more about the Heisler Lecture and The Woltemade Center at owu.edu/Woltemade.
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review "Best Colleges" lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.