On February 8, 2024, the Sustainable Innovation MBA (SI-MBA) program at ¶¶Òõ̽̽ (¶¶Òõ̽̽) Grossman School of Business (GSB) co-hosted networking and a panel with on the topic of the "2024 Forecast: What Can We Expect for Purpose-Driven Businesses?" Nearly one-hundred guests met in the Ifshin Hall Keller Room for a great discussion moderated by great friend of SI-MBA, Etienne Morris, and . She was joined by Stacia Betley Director of Sustainability and Social Impact at , Kristen Graf, Global Director, Environmental and Social Responsibility at , current ¶¶Òõ̽̽ SI-MBA student, current ¶¶Òõ̽̽ SI-MBA student, and Mara Neufeld Rivera, Head of People & Culture at .
The panel discussed a broad range of topics including what companies were facing as socially responsibly businesses operating in a very unpredictable social and business environment, what soon-to-be job seekers were hoping for from companies, and the challenges HR professionals were seeing with regards to building culture in hybrid work environments. And while there was more to dig into, all of the speakers touched on the potential impacts of AI—the elephant in the room—and how it may impact all facets of life and work.
It was truly an illuminating conversation. The SI-MBA program and students were grateful for the continued partnership with VBSR and the business community, and looks forward to welcoming folks again next year.
