Smith Faculty Headline Management Conference in Zrich

Smith faculty members brought the Smith Schools thought leadership to Europe in a series of workshops Tuesday, October 3 at the 16th Zrich MBA Congress. Rhonda Reger, professor of management and organization, Gurdip Bakshi, professor of finance, Judy Frels, senior director of custom programs, and Rob Sheehan, academic director for executive MBA and executive degree programs, were among thought leaders presenting at the conference, which focused on leading management issues. The Congress was organized by the Graduate School of Business Administration (GSBA), the Smith Schools European partner in its global executive MBA program. Scott Koerwer, Smiths associate dean for professional programs and services, delivered opening remarks at the conference and also participated in GSBAs commencement ceremonies.

At the conference, Reger presented a workshop on best practices of successful project management, while Bakshi delivered a talk on globalization including such topics as the structure of global markets, instruments for diversifying risk, project financing, and exposure and risk management. Frels delivered a workshop that outlined strategies for successfully bringing innovations to market and Sheehan spoke to conference attendees about leading change, one of the most popular business topics today. The conference drew nearly 500 business executives and MBA students from across Europe. The keynote speaker at the conference was Jeremy Rifkin, founder and president of the Foundation on Economic Trends and author of 17 books on the impact of scientific and technological changes on the economy, workforce, society, and environment. Rifken was at the Smith School on September 15 to speak to first-year MBA students.

The GSBA conference closed with a dinner and awards ceremony, during which Robert Baum, associate professor of management and organization, was named the winner of the best MBA team teaching award for his teaching in the Smith-GSBA Global MBA program. Rhonda Reger, co-chair of the department of management and organization, accepted the award on his behalf.

The Smith School announced its partnership with GSBA at the Zrich MBA Congress in March 2005.

▓ Jeff Heebner, Office of Marketing Communications