Former Starbucks, Microsoft official to lead state trade council

A former executive at Starbucks and Microsoft has been named president of the Washington Council on International Trade.

Lori Otto Punke will lead advocacy efforts to support the state’s international competitiveness through trade and will oversee management and growth of the organization.

Punke has served as a senior policy adviser to U.S. Senate leadership and is founder and principal of LOP Strategies, where she helps clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and associations on public affairs, policy and communication.

She previously held senior public affairs positions at Starbucks Coffee Co. and Microsoft Corp.