Distinguished Speaker Series
Reshaping Healthcare with AI
The healthcare industry is at a turning point, balancing groundbreaking innovation with persistent challenges in access and cost. In a recent discussion with Dean Costis Maglaras, as part of the School’s Distinguished Speaker Series, Emma Walmsley, CEO of British pharmaceutical and biotechnology company GSK, shared how the company is leveraging AI to revolutionize healthcare. AI is expediting drug discovery, enhancing clinical trials, and enabling more precise patient care, she noted, while stressing the need for prevention-focused care, such as vaccinations, to lower costs and improve outcomes. And while AI drives efficiency, Walmsley emphasized that a skilled, diverse team remains the foundation for healthcare innovation.
Sir Gordon Wu Distinguished Speaker Forum
Trailblazing in Global Wealth Management
Ida Liu, global head of Citi Private Bank, spoke about how AI is reshaping finance and wealth management during the Sir Gordon Wu Distinguished Speaker Forum hosted by Columbia Business School’s Jerome A. Chazen Institute for Global Business. During a conversation with Lulu C. Wang ’83, founder and CEO of Tupelo Capital Management, Liu shared that face-to-face interactions, emotional intelligence, and personalized service, especially in high-net-worth client relationships, cannot be fully replicated by AI.
Climate Week
Highlighting need for Unified Global Response
Wopke Hoekstra, the EU’s Commissioner for Climate Action, visited CBS during Climate Week to discuss the solutions and challenges on his agenda as he begins a new five-year term. Hoekstra emphasized that simply raising awareness about climate damage is no longer sufficient to mobilize citizens and businesses. Instead, he called for specific, targeted action, focusing on four priorities: relentless climate action; just-transition goals; supporting companies with high climate standards to prevent a shift of production to less-regulated areas; and global diplomacy to foster climate collaboration. “The EU and United States can’t just wait for others to fix this,” Hoekstra said. “We need to lead.”
The Hub
On Xi Jinping's China
In November, Columbia Business School’s Hub think tank, in partnership with the Weatherhead East Asia Institute, hosted a discussion moderated by Lulu C. Wang ’83 featuring Kevin Rudd, Australia’s Ambassador to the United States and former Prime Minister of Australia. Rudd shared his insights into key shifts in Chinese ideology, governance, and foreign policy under President Xi Jinping. He explored how US-China relations, shaped by strategic competition, impact global stability. He also advocated for managing competition to avoid conflict while fostering cooperation on global issues such as climate change.
Silfen Leadership Series
Leading with Purpose and Passion
Kristin Peck ’99, CEO of Zoetis, shared valuable insights on leadership, innovation, and work-life balance during a conversation held as part of Columbia Business School’s Silfen Leadership Series. During the event, Peck stressed that good leader- ship requires endurance and motivation, as well as the ability to balance strategy with empathy. She added that leaders should focus on building relationships and fostering trust among their workforce, since collaboration and support from others can make ambitious goals achievable.
Distinguished Speaker Series
Journey to the Top
Last fall, the CBS Distinguished Speaker Series hosted Manny Maceda, Worldwide Managing Partner of Bain & Company, for a conversation about leadership, resilience, and breaking barriers. From his unconventional rise at Bain to addressing global challenges like climate change, economic shifts, and generative AI, Maceda’s story is one of humility, impact, and the power of diversity in shaping a better world. Maceda credited his diverse heritage and education for shaping his inclu- sive leadership philosophy. He’s committed to fostering cultures of acceptance and innovation, viewing diversity as a strength. “Places like Bain and Columbia Business School,” he said, “can be the glue that unites us.
Brite Conference
Blending Brand Purpose with Strategy
Continuing to innovate amid rapid societal and industry changes is at the heart of any adaptable business. It’s a core tenet of Ulta Beauty’s brand strategy, according to Michelle Crossan-Matos, the company’s chief marketing officer. During a conversation at Columbia Business School’s BRITE ’24 conference, Crossan-Matos stressed the importance of purpose-driven leader- ship—defining a clear purpose that resonates across all levels of your organization. She also advised leaders to build customer loyalty through regularly analyzing their behavior, in order to refine engagement and retention strategies.
Climate Week
India's Clean Energy Revolution
Sumant Sinha ’92MIA, chairman and CEO of ReNew, visited CBS during Climate Week last fall for a conversation with Professor Bruce Usher, the Elizabeth B. Strickler ’86 and Mark T. Gallogly ’86 Faculty Co-Director of the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change. Sinha, an alumnus of Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs and author of Fossil Free: Reimagining Clean Energy in a Carbon-Constrained World, spoke frankly about India’s uniquely favorable conditions for developing renewable energy projects—and the barriers to necessary progress in India and elsewhere in the world.