​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:

Fall 2017 Schedule Coming Soon

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"