​The International Speaker Series

The Ahlers Center International Business Speaker Series gives students, faculty, alumni and members of the community an opportunity to hear from distinguished international business experts and scholars. Each semester, we invite leading industry professionals, researchers and educators to campus to share their unique insights and bring current global business topics to life.

We're fortunate to have a captivating and diverse group of presenters come to the USD campus. Since these sessions are open to the public, you're welcome to bring a colleague or friend. Plus, most of these events are free. To learn more about the featured companies and speakers, visit our Ahlers Center for International Business blog.

Upcoming Presentations:

“Evolving Trends in the Entertainment Industry”

Presenter: Digvijay Singh, Global Sourcing Manager, Paramount Pictures

Date: Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Time: Presentation from 12:15-1:15PM 

Location: Mother Rosalie Hill Hall, Room 102

Register for Evolving Trends in the Entertainment Industry

Description of Presentation: Digvijay (DJ) Singh is a Global Sourcing Manager at Paramount Pictures (Viacom), and oversees the strategic implementation of sourcing/procurement projects and supply chain operations that support business priorities. DJ will provide an overview of the entertainment industry (including films, TV, games, live action, theme parks, etc.) and will describe how different types of media content is conceived, produced, distributed and consumed around the world.  Learn how studios navigate the creative versus business aspects of a movie, and the implications for studio profit and loss behind the scenes. This presentation will also provide attendees with a deeper understanding of the evolving trends and transformational changes impacting the film/entertainment industry, such as rapid technological advances, globalization effects, franchise frenzy and fatigue, demographic changes, diversity initiatives and today’s consumer viewing habits with mobile, streaming, and “binge watching”.

“How Amazon Has Remained Customer-Centric As It Expands Across Programs and Countries”

Presenter: Chris Peyre, Head of Global Supply Chain, Amazon Prime Now

Date: Thursday, November 9, 2017

Time: 12:15-1:45PM

Location: Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, Room C

Register for How Amazon Has Remained Customer-Centric As It Expands Across Programs and Countries

Description of Presentation: Mr. Peyre came to Amazon with a diverse array of international experience in supply chain and retail, focusing on improving customer experience, increasing revenue, and optimizing costs.  Currently in charge of Prime Now supply chain, he manages the growing and complex supply chain for Prime Now, the ultrafast delivery service for Amazon, offering over 20,000 different items to customers with free delivery within two hours. This presentation will provide a glimpse into the internal process Amazon follows to maintain customer-centric as it expands across categories, programs and countries.  Learn about initiatives such as Prime Now, Treasure Truck, and Amazon’s recent expansion into Singapore.

“The Digital Healthcare Revolution”

Presenter: Alexander Grunewald, Global Head of HealthTech Investment Strategy, Johnson & Johnson

Date: Monday, November 13, 2017

Time: 12:15-1:45PM

Location: Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, Room C

Register for The Digital Healthcare Revolution

Description of Presentation: Dr. Grunewald leads external innovation in HealthTech at Johnson & Johnson.  Previously, he was the lead for external innovation in digital health at the Innovation Center, and prior to that, he led business development for Janssen Healthcare Innovation (JHI). Healthcare as an industry makes up 18% of the U.S. economy. It is undergoing rapid change that is being driven by rising cost pressures, increasing consumerism, and the emergence of new technologies that build on the digital revolution.  To succeed in this space, companies have to participate in newly emerging fields such as digital health.  This will require them to adapt what they do and how they do it.  For a 130-year-old company like Johnson & Johnson, that isn’t an easy thing to do.  Several groups have enabled the company to continuously adapt and meet the challenges in the healthcare system.  Dr. Grunewald will discuss the Innovation Centers, JJDC, JLABS, and a dedicated HealthTech team, which are all brining fresh approaches to the company.

Here's a sampling of our past guest speakers.

Joseph Bugasjski, managing vice president of global data and analytics, Gartner

"The Power of Data and Analytics to Transform Lives and Livelihoods"

Bob Maggiore, chief marketing officer, TaylorMade Golf

"Do the Right Thing and the Money Will Follow. It Always Does"

Michael Dunne, president, Dunne and Company

"From State-Controlled Enterprise to Entrepreneurial Global Disrupters: China's Automotive Industry Revolution"

Chris Gibson, vice president of market entry services, iPai Auction

"An American Start-Up in China - Lessons from an Expat"

Greg Koch, CEO and co-founder, Stone Brewing Company

"From Local to Global: The Story of Stone Brewing Company"

Roshan Paul, CEO, Amani Institute

"Building a Career in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship"

Michael Reddington, vice president of executive education, Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates

"The Disciplined Listening Method: Leveraging Truth to Create Strategic Business Advantages"

Bob Langert, former vice president of corporate social responsibility and sustainability, McDonald's

"How Making a Positive Difference in Society Can Grow a Business and a Big Brand Like McDonald's"

Rachel Cantu, vice president of global supply chain, Patagonia

"Patagonia--Why Business is Good for the Planet"

Mansour Javidan, Garvin distinguished professor and director of the Najafi Global Mindset Institute, Thunderbird School of Global Management

"What is Global Mindset and Why Does it Matter?"

Hernan Mendez, CEO, Procafecol, S.A.

Fred Freundlich, professor, Mondragon University, Spain

"The Mondragon Corporation: Employee Ownership as Strategy"

Tim McConnell, director of engineering, 3D Robotics

"The Flying Technological Revolution"

Vijay Govindarajan, Coxe distinguished professor at the Tuck School of Business Dartmouth and New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author

"Reverse Innovation"

Co-sponsored by USD's Changemaker Hub and Center for Peace and Commerce 

Lalit Dhir, vice president of strategy, portfolio and business development, Thermo Fisher Scientific

"Global Strategy and Portfolio Planning"

Michael Slater, CEO and founder, Entry Ventures and Raymond Watt, CEO, Brain Gear and general partner, Entry Ventures

"The Genesis of Potential Capital and Entry Venues: A Global Model"

Stephen Williams, managing partner, SENTRE Partners

"Investing Beyond the Border"

Chris Crane, president, Edify

"The Journey of an Education Changemaker"

Co-sponsored by the Changemaker Hub, Center for Peace and Commerce and the Center for Community Service Learning

Flavio Olivieri, CEO of the Tijuana Economic Development Corporation

"The Cali-Baja Bi-National Mega-Region: A Platform for U.S./Mexico Trade"

Ariel A. Casarin, associate professor, IAE Business School, Universidad Austral, Argentina

"The World Is Not Legally Flat: Non-Market Strategies in Legal Arenas for International Business"

Tim DeMarco, president, International Decisions

"Going International......In a Small Way"

James Zimmerman, partner, Shepard Mullin & former chairman emeritus, American Chamber of Commerce, China

"China 2013: Legal, Political and Business Outlook"

Barbara Wight, chief financial officer, Taylor Guitars

"Global Brand Expansion through the Great Recession and Beyond"

Greg Deering, founder, Deering Banjos

"Building a Global Brand, One Banjo at a Time"

Rachelle Snooke, global talent acquisition manager, WD-40

"Global Hiring and the Brand That is You"

Jorge Camil Starr, social entrepreneur, co-founder and chief development officer, Enova

"Innovating for Impact"

Vijay Kapur, faculty management studies, University of Delhi

"China and India: Models of Compassionate Socio-Economic Globalization"

Hector Medina, former CFO and chief planning officer, CEMEX

"Business Strategy for Innovation and Global Growth: The Case of CEMEX"