Joan Waltman

In 1985, Joan Waltman received her Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University, Fullerton's College of Engineering & Computer Science. She also holds a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, San Diego. In 2011, Joan joined a boutique consulting practice, Partnerships in Change, where she is Senior Vice President for Strategy Consulting and Executive Coaching. Prior to that, Joan served as Senior Vice President of Technology in Qualcomm's Office of Intellectual Property (IP) Strategy, the group charted with delivering strategic planning and operational rigor across the corporation in support of technology development and intellectual property creation. In this role, Joan was responsible for strategic technology, operations, and business planning of Qualcomm's IP direction and portfolio.

In her 20 years at Qualcomm, Joan has served in multiple technical, business and operational roles. She served as Division President for Qualcomm Enterprise Services (QES), the Qualcomm division charged with delivering wireless mobile workforce and machine-to-machine solutions for the enterprise. She served as Senior Vice President of Engineering for Qualcomm Wireless Business Solutions, responsible for engineering the division's satellite and terrestrial wireless solutions, including new product development, sustaining engineering and engineering research. Previously, Joan served in a variety of key roles in the development of Qualcomm's core technology, including as an engineer in the early CDMA system design group and later as program manager.

Prior to joining Qualcomm, Joan worked as an analog ASIC engineer for Hughes Aircraft Company and as a hardware design engineer for TRW's Military Electronics and Avionics Division.

A former President Scholar, Joan was honored in 2008 as one of the university's 50 Women of Distinction and in 2009 was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award. Joan serves on the CSUF strategic initiatives task force known as CATLab, which is chartered with developing new programs across several colleges and in partnership with the community and business to serve the growing aging population's need and desire for "aging in place".

Joan, and her husband Tom—also a Fullerton alumnus, live in Rancho Santa Fe with their younger son who is a senior in high school. Their older son is a student in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at CSUF.