Strategies to raise the bar for corporate consciousness and business with a purpose, such as developing carbon-neutral plans, managing digital ethics, and optimizing personal performance through self care, are among the topics experts explored in the Gabelli School’s new London Speaker Series. Beginning in the spring, the weekly virtual sessions have been connecting students with corporate executives and government officials throughout Britain, Italy, Ireland, and Germany.

Meghann Drury-Grogan, PhD, associate professor of communication and media management at the Gabelli School, developed the series to offer students an opportunity to engage directly with global leaders in industries such as healthcare, finance, data security, and government.

“The program was overwhelmingly successful in creating this global community of information exchange, participation, and different perspectives, particularly in a time in our lives when we’re not interacting locally, let alone globally,” Drury-Grogan said.

In the spring, more than 750 students, faculty, and alumni attended 12 virtual sessions on topics ranging from climate change to global supply chain management and monetary policy. “How Organizations Achieve Net Zero: Designing a Robust Strategy for Climate Change” and “Britain and the Post-Brexit World” drew the largest audiences.

Another popular session covered healthy habits that maximize personal and professional performance. According to Ireland-based performance nutritionist Sinéad Bradbury, getting good sleep tops the list whether one’s goals are related to fitness, performance, or well-being,

“We turned the pandemic’s negative situation into a wonderfully successful opportunity with the quality of our speakers and the strength of our message,” said Andrea Mennillo, PAR ’16, chair of the London Advisory Board, who helped coordinate some speakers. “Working with Meghann, we are now looking to grow this into an even larger global event.”

For the London Series’ Spring 2022 schedule, visit the News and Events tab at fordham.edu/business.