NEW ORLEANS – In its 37th annual program, “Purpose-Driven Business: How to Profit and Make a Difference,” the Tulane Business Forum will feature a group of renowned industry leaders who will address the ever-changing global business environment. These leaders will discuss activating purpose within their organizations, not only to help productivity flourish but also to help the bottom line.
This year’s forum features keynote speakers Mark Brown, president and CEO of Sazerac Company (Louisville), and Deborah A. Elam, president of the GE Foundation and chief diversity officer of GE (Fairfield).
Brown will provide an overview of the 36 billion bottle global market for distilled spirits and will share the story of how a small bar in the French Quarter became a top ten company in the industry. He will discuss how Sazerac is meeting the challenges in the spirits business and will offer predictions for the company and the industry.
Elam will conduct a “fireside chat” with Kim M. Boyle, partner of Phelps Dunbar LLP (New Orleans), and explore how GE, one of the largest companies in the world, integrates its strategic philanthropic programs with a culture of leadership, diversity and inclusiveness.
The Tulane Business Forum, underwritten by Latter & Blum Inc./ Realtors and sponsored by the Tulane Association of Business Alumni, will be held on Friday, September 9, 2016, from 8:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Other presenters will include:
• Michael A. Fitts, president of Tulane University, who will provide welcoming remarks.
• Dr. David E. Altig, executive vice president and director of research for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, will report on the state of the U.S. economy and discuss current factors impacting monetary policy.
• Alan M. Leventhal, chairman and CEO of Beacon Capital Partners (Boston), will speak about the challenges cities face as they become larger and more densely populated, and the impact such growth has on quality of urban life and infrastructure. He will also discuss opportunities vital to the renaissance of New Orleans, including New Orleans’ $400 million Four Seasons development.
• Shannon L. Schuyler, principal, chief purpose officer and corporate responsibility leader of PwC US and president of the PwC Charitable Foundation (Chicago) will draw on her expertise to explain how business leaders need to attract, engage and unite employees by activating purpose within their organizations.
• Calvin Clifford “Trey” Fayard, founder and CEO of GLO (New Orleans), will discuss travel challenges in Louisiana and GLO’s purpose of reconnecting the city, state and the gulf and mid-south regions via air travel with a focus on achieving efficiency through non-stop flights, while maintaining the detailed service expected from a first-rate air carrier.
The Tulane Association of Business Alumni of the A. B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University represents over 20,000 alumni worldwide, and the forum is its premier event. Each year, the forum features speakers of national and international acclaim who address a variety of business topics of interest to the business community.
Forum registration, which includes continental breakfast and lunch, is $200 for the general public and $150 for Tulane alumni.
Accountants can earn five Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits; engineers can earn five Professional Development Hour (PDH) credits; and attorneys can earn four Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits (one of which counts towards “Professionalism”) by attending the Forum.
