From Barista to Boardroom: Alum’s journey from Starbucks to strategic sourcing
Two years later, Roinas started in the work world as a Starbucks barista, rising to the corporate office after more than a decade at the Seattle-based global coffee giant.
But something was missing deep down inside Roinas.
“Even though my career grew beautifully, there was always a part of me that knew I needed to go back and get a degree,” Roinas explains. “I always promised myself that I would do that.”
In 2015, he began to make that happen, enrolling in a program started by ASU and Starbucks for employees seeking an online bachelor’s degree. Still working full-time, the married father of three did much of his schoolwork on the ferry during his four-hour workday commute. Life was decidedly busy.
“My wife and I talked and prayed about whether we should do this,” he says. “We decided it was now or never; we’re not getting any younger.”
The timing proved perfect because Roinas was starting his first supply chain job at Starbucks corporate. He had no experience or formal education in the field.
“There were many times when I was actively learning something at ASU and applying it the next day at Starbucks,” he says.
Roinas graduated in May 2020, but COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the graduation ceremony. He had made plans to attend with family and friends, but instead, he had a small gathering in his living room at home. He says the importance of graduation extends beyond achieving a personal goal.
“It was important for my kids to be there to see me pursue higher education,” he says. “As a father, I wanted my kids to see that and its importance.”
With a degree in hand, Roinas took a job the following year at Albertsons in Boise, Idaho, after a former Starbucks colleague and now Albertsons executive suggested he apply.
“I think my degree gave me some newfound confidence that I could make it anywhere,” he says.
Today, the 37-year-old oversees a multibillion-dollar organization and manages about 100 employees worldwide as the grocery company’s group vice president for strategic sourcing. His team manages the Fortune 500 company’s relationships with an extensive network of vendors.
Roinas also maintains the nonprofit part of his life, which he says started early and continues to grow. He’s heavily involved in church endeavors, taking on leadership roles. He is a hands-on board member at River House Global, a Boise-based group seeking to make a global difference in people’s lives, primarily in India and Pakistan. He says his visit to India in 2022 struck a chord.
“It broke my heart and changed something in me,” he says. “I came back knowing I wanted to help.”
Roinas has thoughts about returning to school to pursue his executive MBA degree. Perhaps he will be a guest lecturer in the future. But for now, he says his plate is full.
His advice to those wanting to get a degree but worried about the time commitment is simple: Just do it.
“There’s no right or wrong time to pursue a degree, but there’s probably never a perfect time,” Roinas says. “If education is important, then there’s no better time than now.”