February 21, 2019
Event features Lin Great Speakers Series keynote guest on entrepreneurship
The St. Mary’s University Greehey School of Business will host a series of talks and conversations related to social justice, economic equity and the role of business in leading change during its Conference on Justice and Social Concerns on Wednesday, Feb. 27, and Thursday, Feb. 28.
Among the highlights will be the Lin Great Speakers Series at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 28, featuring Alicia Robb, Ph.D. (B.A. ’91). Robb is the founder and CEO of Next Wave Impact and a managing partner of two early-stage venture funds. Her talk, titled, “An Inclusive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem,” will take place in Conference Room A of the University Center. All portions of the conference are free and open to the public.
Additionally, plenary sessions will focus on:
- “Purpose + Profit” with Shannon Schuyler, PwC principal, chief purpose officer and corporate responsibility leader
- “Beyond Compliance: Creating a Culture of Commitment to Justice and Leading by Example,” with Steve Prosser, Starbucks Coffee Company’s managing director of business ethics and compliance; and Jacqueline E. Brevard, senior adviser at GEC Risk Advisory LLC
- “Sustainable Economic Development, Poverty Alleviation, and the Role of Business Schools in Creating a Better World” with Courtney Klein, SEED SPOT co-founder and CEO
- “Balancing Cyber Security Needs with Protection of Human Privacy: A Balancing Act?” with Robert Butler, AECOM senior vice president of critical infrastructure protection operations; and Angela Walch, J.D., St. Mary’s University School of Law Associate Professor
“Questions surrounding social justice and economic equity encompass the notion of justice as it relates to distribution of wealth, opportunities and privileges within a society,” said Tanuja Singh, D.B.A., Dean of the Greehey School of Business. “The Greehey School of Business is honored to host this year’s Conference on Justice and Social Concerns within the context of current business practices and the obligation of businesses to help create a more just and equitable world.”
The United Nations reports that global poverty rates have been cut by more than half since 2000. However, there are many factors that impact wealth distribution, and one in 10 people in developing regions still live on less than $1.90 a day.
Wednesday, Feb. 27
9:20 a.m.: Invocation
9:25 a.m.: Purpose + Profit
10:20 a.m.: From Career to Calling: The Vocation of the Business Leader
1:45 p.m.: Beyond Compliance: Creating a Culture of Commitment to Justice and Leading by Example
Thursday, Feb. 28
9:45 a.m.: Sustainable Economic Development, Poverty Alleviation, and the Role of Business Schools in Creating a Better World
11:10 a.m.: Balancing Cyber Security Needs with Protection of Human Privacy: A Balancing Act?
2 p.m.: Student Panel: Economic Equity and Diversity
7 p.m.: Lin Great Speakers Series Keynote: “An Inclusive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem,” – featuring Alicia Robb, founder and CEO of Next Wave Impact
For a complete schedule, visit www.stmarytx.edu/conference.
More about the Conference on Justice and Social Concerns
The annual Conference provides the St. Mary’s University campus community with the opportunity to engage with issues of social justice, faith, and personal and communal responsibility for the common good.
The Conference follows the direction set out from the Second Vatican Council to read, interpret and respond to the signs of the times (Gaudium et Spes, 4). The two-day event is hosted each year by one of the University’s schools and brings together experts from both academic and practical realms to lead the campus in dialogue around issues challenging our community locally and globally. The Conference will always include a keynote lecture supported by the Lin Great Speakers Series endowment.
The conference is meant to invoke dialogue and even debate, recognizing the value of critical thinking and healthy tension. It provides an opportunity for all to encounter new perspectives and adopt methods for thoughtful critique and questioning. The value of a Catholic, liberal arts education is to learn to engage, to think critically and creatively, to have healthy dialogue, and to do so from a place of compassion and respect, rooted in love for one another and a desire to be agents of positive change in our world.