London Speaker Series: An Enlightened View of Business Perspectives from Europe

| May 24, 2023 | Gabelli School of Business

Launched during the 2020-21 academic calendar year, the Gabelli School of Business (GSB) London Speaker Series has been connecting students with industry and academic partners across the UK and the European Union, providing a unique global learning experience and the opportunity to hear from and network with international professionals. The London Speaker Series is open to the GSB community, including its 40,000+ alumni, as well as the Fordham University community.

“As the world economy rapidly evolves and becomes more globalized that ever before, it is critical for those who aspire to become the next leaders and innovators of business to benefit by learning about issues and opportunities from a variety of vantage points,” noted Andrea Mennillo, chair of the Fordham London Advisory Board. “The London Speaker Series provides a deep and invaluable understanding of the European business perspective and its influence on the economy now and in the future.”

The Speaker Series offers both online and in-person options for engagement and focuses on topics from ESG to sustainable marketing to corporate responsibility. Content is delivered by top industry executives and academicians, providing fascinating insights on emerging business trends and affording students opportunities to explore the career paths of the future.

“The London Speaker Series enhances the learning experiences of our students, while also positioning the Gabelli School of Business as a thought leader in the global business education space. It amplifies our mission of harnessing the power of business as a catalyst for deep and lasting social change,” said Lerzan Aksoy, Ph.D., dean of the Gabelli School of Business.

This winter and spring, through the careful curation of Ergem Senyuva-Tohumcu, the London Centre’s head of experiential learning and a global sustainability marketing professor, the London Speaker Series featured its most ambitious and diverse programming to date. “Our goal is to provide a stimulating environment for the important discussions that business leaders must have to address the complexities of the changing business landscape and a changing world. There is no better place to do this than at the Fordham University London Centre, where business and academia intersect.”

Among the many notable guest speakers who shared insights were: Chantal Beaudoin, partner and head of ESG, Knight Frank Investment Management, who spoke about real estate, investments, ESG and sustainability; George Maher, author of “PUGNARE: Economic Success and Failure,” who engaged the audience with “a historical account of the Roman Empire written from a practical business perspective,” and what it can teach us; Ersilio Vaudo, chief diversity officer for the European Space Agency, who spoke about space as an opportunity to get out of our comfort zone; and Frédéric Ponchon, head of research and SRI strategy, who spoke about the role of ESG and sustainability in the rapidly changing world of finance.

Of special note, Fordham London also welcomed Advisory Board member, Ginger Freeman-Zaimis on February 22. She challenged students in her London Speaker Series presentation to reflect upon and uncover unseen connections between literature, philosophy, and science.

It also was a great pleasure to welcome the new Fordham London Alumni Chair, Brianna Miller. While at Fordham University, Miller studied abroad in Fall 2018, before moving to London to earn a master’s degree at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She now works for the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.

Previous speakers have included numerous successful Gabelli School alumni such as Justin Striebel ’10, a senior leader in global procurement & supply chain; Lucas Fee ’20, private equity associate, The Carlyle Group; Thomas Muoio ’90, managing director and global head of leveraged finance syndicate, Santander CIB, and Joachim Schlange ’82, managing partner at S&Z North America, each of whom volunteered their time to provide students with insights about their career paths.

Fordham London also was excited to welcome Hallie Petersen ’12, a senior tax manager at Snap Inc., who focuses on expanding Snapchat to different countries around the globe. She had lots of beneficial advice for students who have an interest in living and working abroad. Fordham students were given the opportunity to talk to Peterson about her time at the social media/camera company, and asked insightful questions ranging from her background in accounting to her favorite traditions as a Fordham Ram.

Written by: Paola Curcio-Kleinman, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications