The intersection of ethics and the global business world - two major teaching areas at Fairfield University's Dolan School of Business - will be the focus of what promises to be an engaging public forum, featuring prominent business leaders from major corporations. Taking place on Thursday, March 17 at 5 p.m., the event, "Ethics in a Global Business Context," is free and open to the public, and will be held in the Dolan School of Business Dining Room.

Moderator David Schmidt, Ph.D., director of the university's Program in Applied Ethics and associate professor of management, will begin by asking the panel to consider a classic case study, "The Parable of the Sadhu," which asks if we are justified in treating people differently based on where they are in the world. The four panelists, highly experienced members of the Dolan School of Business Advisory Council, will make the discussion concrete and practical by sharing their own experiences. "Members of the audience will be challenged to help solve the problems posed by the panel in a lively give-and-take of ideas and experiences," Schmidt noted. "Business today unfolds on a global stage where different values, cultures and perspectives complicate business decision making. Ethics issues in business now reflect this complexity."

Panelists include Fairfield alumni who are members of the Dolan School's Advisory Council:

Hugh Davis '95 , managing director, Westport-based reInvention Capital, LLC. Launched in 2010, reInvention Capital was formed to invest in people who have a vision to reinvent products, services and industries. Its mission is to help entrepreneurs realize their vision and take their ideas from concept to reality while creating value for investors, the entrepreneur and the consumer.

Adrienne Johnson '91 , senior vice president for Corporate Strategy and Business Development, AXA Equitable . In business since 1859, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (formerly The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States), headquartered in New York City, is a leading financial protection company and a premier provider of life insurance, annuities and related financial services.

Rob McMahon '87 , managing director, Connecticut-based National Restructuring Finance Group, GE Corporate Lending. He is responsible for some of the largest restructuring financings in the U.S., including Delta Airlines, Calpine, Kmart and Mirant. Recent turn-around financings his team has executed include Goody's, Linens 'n Things, Vertis Communications, DURA Automotive Systems and Hancock Fabrics.

Kevin Piccoli '79 , chief financial officer of Tradeweb , one of the world's leading providers of online markets. Since 1998, it has generated significant value for clients and dealers by providing low-cost access to liquidity on a highly efficient trading network. The company - partly owned by Thomson Reuters - offers trading-related services across the globe in fixed income and derivatives.

Norm Solomon, Ph.D. dean of the Dolan School, said the event will offer an up close view of ethical dilemmas in today's business world. "The purpose of the panel discussion is to involve students and faculty in a conversation about business ethics with active business practitioners - the members of our Advisory Council," he said. "This is an Advisory Council initiative and fits well into the university's Global Citizenship theme."

The global citizenship initiative concerns equipping students with the tools, confidence, and vision to put their unique gifts to work as successful global citizens for the benefit of their communities and the world.

The Charles F. Dolan School of Business and the DSB Advisory Council are co-sponsors of this event. To learn more about the Dolan School of Business, visit www.fairfield.edu/dsb .

Posted On: 03-09-2011 11:03 AM

Volume: 43 Number: 231