CEO at Smith

Each year, the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business brings in top CEOs to speak in the CEO at Smith speaker series. Follow online at #CEOatSmith.

Upcoming Event

Brett Schulman

CEO and Co-Founder, CAVA

November 6, 2024
6 to 7:30 p.m.

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Brett Schulman is the co-founder & CEO of CAVA, a leading culinary brand that offers authentic Mediterranean cuisine nationwide in restaurants and grocery stores. CAVA has been nationally recognized for its company culture and as one of the most innovative brands in the food industry. Before co-founding CAVA, Schulman spent over a decade at Deutsche Bank Alex. Brown and its predecessor. He later became COO at Snikiddy, where he grew the brand from concept to national distribution before its acquisition in 2015.

Schulman has been recognized as Washington Business Journal’s CEO of the Year and ACG’s Executive of the Year for a public company. He’s also been named to Nation's Restaurant News’ Power List, recognized by Goldman Sachs as one of their 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs and received the University of Maryland’s EnTERPreneur award. As a member of the Society of Fellows at The Culinary Institute of America, he champions healthier eating and supports organizations like the Garden School Foundation and City Blossoms.

He is a Washington, D.C., native, a graduate of the University of Maryland and resides in Bethesda with his wife Mary and children Sunny, Sadie and Luke.

Recent Event

Josh Harris

Managing Partner, Washington Commanders
Founder, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
Founder, 26North

September 11, 2024

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Josh Harris is an investor and business leader with over 30 years of experience. He is the founder of 26North, a next-generation alternatives platform focused on private equity, credit and insurance solutions. Before this, Harris co-founded Apollo Global Management, where he helped establish the firm as a leading global alternative investment manager.

Harris also founded Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, among other assets. He is the Managing Partner of both teams, as well as the Washington Commanders, and serves as General Partner for Crystal Palace Football Club.

Through Harris Philanthropies and the team’s foundations, Josh supports vulnerable youth with sports and educational programming and promotes equity and sustainable wealth creation in underserved communities. Harris holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.S. in Economics from Wharton. He serves on the boards of Harvard Business School, Wharton, the NBA and the NHL.