30
EVENTS
VSB Hosts Inaugural Business Leaders Forum
D
uring a time of frequent and unexpected change in the
business world landscape, the relationships we build can prove to be critical. With that in mind, the Villanova School of Business hosted its first-ever Business Leaders Forum, where more than 100 executive leaders who serve on VSB’s nine advisory councils came together for two days to network and learn more about the University’s and the business school’s strategic plans. The Forum was a resounding success. In a survey sent to all participants, over 66 percent of attendees made new business contacts from the advisory councils and 54 percent of attendees became
Daniel H. Bathon, Jr. VSB ’76, general partner and chairman, Windspeed Ventures, LLC and member of the Dean’s Advisory Council, participates in the Q&A.
more interested in participating in or supporting the University’s and VSB’s
endowment to the level of other schools
for business leaders committed to VSB’s
strategic plans.
of our size and caliber as ambassadors of
mission to get together to hear from
the strategic plan.”
Fr. Peter and other University leaders
“I didn’t realize the large number of people involved,” said one respondent. “I
William K. Bacic VSB ’78, managing
regarding the University’s future direc-
like the direction the University is moving
partner of the New England area with
tion, goals, and needs. I particularly
in and think VSB is doing many of the
Deloitte and Touche LLP and chair
enjoyed learning more about VSB’s
right things. My interest continues to
of the VSB Dean’s Advisory Council,
Centers of Excellence and meeting other
build concerning the future and direction
commented, “The Business Leaders
Villanova alumni who are contributing
of the University.”
Forum provided a unique opportunity
their time and talents back to Villanova.”
The program, which is the only one of its kind hosted by VSB, helped to give the attendees a broader understanding of how Villanova could engage with the business community and other alumni and parent business leaders. “It was a great opportunity to interact
Advisory Councils
T
he advisory councils, consisting of nearly 200 members, provide professional expertise and advice, feedback on undergraduate and
with those who have a similar passion for
graduate curricula, assistance with student recruitment and internships, and financial
the University and its mission—whether
support to VSB.
parents, alumni, or others that have
Making up the nine advisory councils are VSB’s six Centers of Excellence—the
come to appreciate the impact Villanova
Daniel M. DiLella Center for Real Estate; the Center for Marketing and Public Policy
business leadership has,” said attendee
Research; the Center for Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship; the Center for
Christine James, CFA, managing director,
Global Leadership; the Center for the Study of Church Management; and the Center
Wells Capital Management. “I learned the
for Business Analytics—and the Dean’s Advisory Council, the CIO Advisory Council,
importance of translating our enthusi-
and the Accounting Advisory Council.
astic alumni support into meaningful
While VSB’s Centers of Excellence support faculty research, teaching excellence,
contributions to the school to ensure
and curriculum development and are designed to focus attention on critical busi-
future generations continue to benefit
ness issues and to leverage the expertise of faculty in a cross-disciplinary way, the
from what we did. We need to meet
advisory council members help provide the centers with practical knowledge, infor-
the competitive challenge to build the
mation on current trends and issues, and an update on business practices.
villanova business | summer fall 20102011
