Forty Under 40: Hamilton Seale Moriarty

On the surface, learning the Russian language and representing a global brand have nothing in common.

But having done both, Hamilton Seale Moriarty knows better. Being good at either one requires persistence, the desire to learn something new and to accept the fact that some things are beyond your control.

Seale, a native of Holly Springs, Mississippi, ground out a minor in Russian at Ole Miss while earning her major in marketing communications and advertising.

But, shortly after graduation, she had to say goodbye to Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky and hello to a crackerjack career in retail that’s seen her rise from a “feet-on-the-street” sales rep on the Gulf Coast to her current position — national account executive with Starbucks Coffee Co.

She calls on Sam’s Club, where under her watch sales have grown by 164 percent, from $17 million to $45 million. In 2012, she won the Starbucks President’s Award for outstanding leadership.

“It’s an honor and a responsibility to represent such a great global brand,” Seale said.

Deflecting credit, she also added, “I have an incredible support system.”

Looking ahead, Seale sees herself staying with Starbucks. There’s just too much opportunity to walk away from.

But her love for Russian is still there, and so is the philosophy that guided her during her education.

“Who can I learn from and how can I attach myself to them?” she said.