The Seattle Pacific University 2013 Alumna of the Year is Margo Jarvies Engberg of Kirkland. The SPU Alumni of the Year Nomination Committee has selected the owner of Pinkabella Cupcakes because she exemplifies vocational accomplishment, community service, Christian commitment, and support for SPU, representing the ideals of the university.

Pinkabella Cupcakes is only 3 years old, but the gourmet bakery, based in Redmond, has already expanded to five stores in the Seattle area and has more than 40 employees. Other companies have offered to buy Engberg out, entrepreneurs want to franchise her brand, and television networks have discussed creating a reality show. Yet, Pinkabella’s — and Engberg’s — mission is more than a successful business venture: “Our goal is to change the world one cupcake at a time.”

One hundred percent of tips collected at Pinkabella stores are given to local nonprofits, and Engberg works closely with the American Cancer Society, Bellevue  School Foundation, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and many others. Philanthropy is core to the motivation and success of Pinkabella, and Engberg recently told an interviewer from Oprah’s network, “The more we bake, the more we make, the more we give!”

Before graduating from SPU in 1989, Engberg served on campus in Residence Life as a peer advisor for two years, and was active in campus life, including SPRINT. After graduation she continued to serve the University as a member of the Young Alumni Council. Engberg has returned to campus several times, and is currently in the process of establishing an endowment to support SPU student scholarships.