Centers and Institutes

The Weissman Center for International Business presents, Mitsui Lunch Time Forum Series. This will take place on Tuesday, February 26th between 12:30 -1:45pm in the Vertical Campus, 14th floor in room 14-250 with speaker Roger Ferguson, President and CEO of TIAA.

What does it take to build a great company when you start with nothing? Seth Besmertnik didn’t have resources, connections, money, or experience when he decided to become an entrepreneur right out of undergrad. But by focusing on his growth as a human being and opening himself to change (and more stuff which he’ll share), he built a technology company that today has 400 employees and was just acquired for nine figures by the multi-billion dollar global business WeWork. He’s returning to his alma mater Baruch to share the lessons he’s learned about finding your purpose and growing in business and life.

The use of learning algorithms has grown dramatically in recent years and businesses have been quick to realize the monetization potential of big data analysis and automation. Algorithms are used in crucial decision-making points, such as to sway hiring and admission decisions, set insurance premium rates, and even inform judicial rulings. In a data-driven world, a lot can go wrong: Algorithmic decision-making could result in errors, bias, manipulation, and the risk of perpetuating social injustices. This brave new world also means changes in human behavior and adjustments of currently entrenched social norms. Comprised of leading scholars in the field of law and technology, this panel is dedicated to unpacking the reciprocal influence of humans and algorithms and the importance of ethics in this ongoing relationship.

The February 5th Marxe Issues program, co-sponsored by the Robert Zicklin Center for Corporate Integrity at the Zicklin School of Busienss, will focus on why universities and colleges must carefully monitor their donor base to avoid politically or ideologically driven philanthropy from seeking unethical influence on college campuses. The panelists will address this issue sighting recent cases and the steps taken to introduce new policies and philanthropic strategies. This panel of experts includes two officials from George Mason University, the institution exposed in national press headlines for being influenced by politically motivated donors.

Discussion with three entrepreneurs and designers who are using innovative materials, technology, and design to turn linear challenges into circular solutions. Design professionals in architecture, fashion, and packaging will share their solutions to reduce construction waste through design innovation; track clothing throughout its lifecycle through technological advances, and prevent plastic pollution of our oceans through edible single-use packaging.

Prof. Terrence Martel in conversation with two students who were interns at the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange in China in the summer of 2018

Many business leaders have realized that embracing sustainability concepts is vital to their growth and survival. These companies are creating strategies to address market conditions such as climate change, globalization, resource constraints, poverty, world health, and security to enhance their brand equity, stock price and profits, improve their products and services, create more resilient systems and infrastructure, and a better quality of life for their stakeholders. Leaders also understand the importance of establishing working groups to represent intra-company operational silos, as well as executive board oversight, as key elements in developing and implementing a successful sustainability strategy. Though the UN SDG’s have more performance indicators tied directly to business and the workplace, multi-nationals based in the US find themselves with less policy support and government motivation to improve their environmental and social performance and move their sustainable development goals forward. Instead, these business leaders are exploring ways to advance sustainability goals through inter-company strategic partnerships, multi-stakeholder initiatives, task forces, and sustainability focused membership networks.

Panelists discuss the affect of the elections on communication strategies in corporations and large organizations.

Second Annual International Conference of Shopping Center (ICSC) – Baruch College Real Estate Conference. Keynote: State of the Retail Real Estate Industry. Panel 1: New Uses for Retail Space.