Thought Leadership Events

Be first with big ideas.

The Smith School’s world-class faculty discuss their latest research on topics of broad interest and importance at the ThoughtLeadership@Smith Speaker Series.

Each presentation is followed by an opportunity to network with alumni and regional business leaders at one of Smith’s convenient local campuses in Washington, D.C., or Baltimore, Md.

Breakfast begins at 8 a.m.; presentations begin at 8:30 a.m. and are followed by a Q&A period concluding at 10 a.m. Cost is $25 for the general public. For more information or to register, visit www.rhsmith.umd.edu/thoughtleadership.

February 26, D.C. campus
May 7, Baltimore campus
Joyce E. A. Russell, Ralph J. Tyser Distinguished Teaching Fellow
Build Bench Strength by Developing Your Employees

On-the-job experience can be a powerfully transformative tool for professional growth—in fact, research indicates it may be the primary vehicle for learning critical leadership skills. Toward that end, many companies groom their high-potential managers through "stretch" assignments and other developmental experiences. Russell discusses the latest research, uncovering who might benefit most from these experiences and how best to use them in your own organization to build your bench strength and keep high potential employees on the road to success.

March 5, Baltimore campus
J. Robert Baum, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship
Passion—and Confidence—in Successful Entrepreneurs

Who really has what it takes to take a new business startup from back-of-the-napkin to financial success? “Passion plus confidence” appears to be key, according to new research from Smith. Baum will discuss personal, knowledge-based and behavioral predictors of successful startups based on an extensive, six-year study of entrepreneurs.

March 12, D.C. campus
April 9, Baltimore campus
Robert M. Sheehan, Jr., Author and Academic Director, Executive MBA Programs
Designing Mission-Driven Organizations

Most people want their organizations to be mission-driven, but do you have the know-how and skills to make it happen? Sheehan, author of a new book, Mission Impact, shows how to craft a vision aligned with your organization’s mission. Learn how to design strategic goals that will inspire your employees, create exceptional value for all stakeholders and move your organization toward maximum impact.

April 30, D.C. campus
Clifford Rossi, Tyser Teaching Fellow and Managing Director, Center for Financial Policy
Risky Business: How Incentives, Governance and Management Impact Your Firm’s Risk Profile

Get an insider's view of the financial meltdown from the vantage point of a chief risk officer for some of the largest financial institutions in the country (including CitiGroup and Countrywide Bank). Rossi presents a tour of governance issues, incentives for risk-taking and risk management practices in the financial services industry leading up to the crisis, and recommendations for strengthening risk management practices in financial services.