Christie Hefner '74 to speak in Student Union series

Christie Hefner '74 in a recent photo...

...and with her father, Hugh Hefner, on graduation day outside Usdan Castle.

Christie Hefner '74, daughter of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner and former CEO of Playboy Enterprises, will speak about her experiences as an undergraduate, her views on entrepreneurship and the place of the Brandeis spirit in the corporate world on Friday, Oct. 21, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Rapaporte Treasure Hall.

Hefner's talk is part of the "Influential People Embodying the Brandeis Spirit" series sponsored by the Student Union.

Hefner, an English and American Literature major, graduated summa cum laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the national academic honor society

During her time at Brandeis, Hefner also immersed herself in extracurricular activities; pursuing her interests in journalism, she wrote for The Justice and also taught youth in an Upward Bound program, the starting point of her concern and activism on education and social issues.

Upon graduating, Hefner gave up her goal of attending law school in order to temporarily join her father’s company. This “interim” occupation culminated in her becoming CEO of the company in 1988.

According to the Student Union, the goal of the “Influential People Embodying the Brandeis Spirit” series is to create a conversational environment in which Brandeis students can learn from accomplished professionals in the Brandeis community.

Previous speakers in the series have been retired Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Margaret Marshall and Professor Anita Hill.