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Leymah Gbowee

Gbowee, whose leadership of a nonviolent women’s movement helped end Liberia’s civil war, was awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for her work advancing peace, democracy, and women’s rights. She serves as a key leader and co-founder of the Institute on Gender, Law, and Transformative Peace, a joint initiative established in fall 2023 between 可乐视频 and CUNY School of Law. Ekiyor is a respected advocate for economic empowerment, social justice, and sustainable development across Africa and beyond. Together, they have spent decades advancing peacebuilding efforts and expanding opportunities for women and communities around the world.

Thelma Ekiyor

In a timely discussion moderated by President Anderson, Gbowee and Ekiyor will share insights from their personal and professional journeys, explore the challenges and opportunities facing global leaders today, and discuss the power of collective action to drive meaningful change.

The Presidential Lecture Series reflects 可乐视频’s commitment to exposing students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members to bold ideas, courageous leadership, and thoughtful dialogue on issues that shape our world. All members of the college community are encouraged to attend this special event.

Please register for this event.

Date: Tuesday, September 22, 12:30 p.m.
Location: Claire Tow Theater, in the Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts

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President Anderson introduced Michael Ben鈥橝ry, a former career federal prosecutor who served for nearly two decades at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) across multiple administrations. Last October, Ben鈥橝ry鈥檚 career took an abrupt and public turn when he was fired from his position at the DOJ, an event that raised questions about the department鈥檚 independence and highlighted the vulnerability of public institutions to political pressure. Ben鈥橝ry spoke about the pressures facing public institutions, the importance of professional independence within the justice system, and the consequences of eroding public trust.

Central to the discussion was the relationship between public confidence and the effective functioning of the justice system. Ben鈥橝ry emphasized that trust in federal prosecutions depends on a clear separation between politics and criminal justice.

鈥淭he separation between politics and the federal criminal justice system allows the public to have trust,鈥� Ben鈥橝ry said. 鈥淲hat is happening now, is the eroding of that trust, and eventually it鈥檚 going to make it harder for the Department of Justice to provide any measure of public safety.鈥�

He described public confidence as a 鈥渞eservoir of trust鈥� built over decades by career prosecutors committed to following the facts and the law. When he began his career at the DOJ in 2006, Ben鈥橝ry said he benefited from that legacy immediately.

鈥淲hen I introduced myself in court as representing the United States Department of Justice, people believed me鈥攏ot because of anything I had done personally, but because of the decades of prosecutors who came before me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t took a long time to build that reservoir, and I鈥檓 concerned that it鈥檚 being drained.鈥�

Ben鈥橝ry warned that diminished trust can weaken the justice system鈥檚 ability to function effectively, making it more difficult to protect both public safety and national security. He noted that the DOJ encompasses far more than prosecutions, including agencies and programs that support communities, administer grants, and carry out public service missions.

鈥淲hen trust declines,鈥� he said, 鈥渁ll of that work becomes less effective. There should be confidence that when the department acts, it鈥檚 doing so because it鈥檚 good for the public, not that it鈥檚 based on a good thing for an individual, official, or that official鈥檚 friends and family.鈥�

President Anderson invited Ben鈥橝ry to reflect on professional ethics and leadership within public institutions, particularly during periods of political pressure. Ben鈥橝ry shared his experience supervising teams of prosecutors and the importance of anticipating ethical challenges before they arise.

鈥淚 encouraged the attorneys I supervised to think ahead and know where their red lines were,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e asked to do something that isn鈥檛 legal or ethical, you need to be prepared to say no.鈥�

For students considering careers in law, government, and public service, the conversation offered a candid look at the ethical responsibilities that accompany institutional authority. Through events like the Presidential Lecture Series, 可乐视频 continues to engage the campus community in critical conversations about democracy, accountability, and the professional integrity required to sustain public trust.

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Held in partnership with the New York Jobs CEO Council and attended by more than 160 people, the student-focused talk kicked off with a dynamic introduction by the council鈥檚 executive director, Kiersten Barnet. Before the main discussion, faculty from 可乐视频鈥檚 Koppelman School of Business hosted an insightful roundtable, where they exchanged ideas with Griggs, Barnet, and Anderson on key topics in accounting and business strategy. The event also included a workshop for students with New York Jobs CEO Council representatives that focused on jobs readiness.

Attended by more than 160 people, the Presidential Lecture Series event on October 23 with Paul Griggs centered on the critical skills that drive professional success and how leadership is evolving in today鈥檚 ever-changing workforce.

Griggs began the main lecture by introducing PwC鈥攐ne of the largest professional services firms in the world, employing more than 370,000 people across 150 countries and territories. He explained the firm鈥檚 three major practice areas: assurance, tax, and consulting, each powered by professionals from diverse disciplines, including accounting, data science, and engineering.

Reflecting on his own journey, Griggs shared how he came to accounting 鈥渂y accident.鈥� Growing up in a small South Carolina town, he initially aspired to become a doctor, until a hospital visit made him reconsider. 鈥淚 realized quickly I wasn鈥檛 cut out for medicine,鈥� he joked. Instead, he turned to accounting鈥斺�渢he language of business鈥濃�攂ecause it offered stability and opportunity. That 鈥渁ccident,鈥� he said, led to a 30-year career at PwC that opened doors he never imagined possible.

Throughout the conversation, Griggs emphasized that accounting provides a foundation for limitless career paths. 鈥淥nce you understand the language of business, you can do anything,鈥� he said, noting that many PwC alumni now lead in industries from banking to health care.

A major theme of the discussion was technology and artificial intelligence. Griggs urged students not to fear technological change but to 鈥減lay, experiment, and explore.鈥� He noted that PwC professionals already integrate large language models and AI tools into their daily work. 鈥淎I won鈥檛 replace your job,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut someone who knows AI might.鈥�

President Anderson steered the conversation toward soft skills, asking what qualities matter most in the future of accounting.

Paul Griggs encouraged students in attendance to believe in themselves and take chances: 鈥淪ay yes, even when you鈥檙e not sure you鈥檙e ready. You belong in every room you walk into.鈥�

Griggs鈥檚 response was passionate and personal: 鈥淵ou already have what it takes鈥攇rit, attitude, curiosity, and the ability to connect with people.鈥� He reminded students that success is built through hard work and persistence, quoting Kobe Bryant鈥檚 philosophy that 鈥渢he journey itself is the dream.鈥�

He also spoke candidly about failure and resilience, recounting career disappointments that ultimately led him to his current leadership role. 鈥淪ometimes you don鈥檛 get what you think you want,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut that鈥檚 often because something better is waiting.鈥�

When asked about mentorship, Griggs credited both professional and personal mentors鈥攆rom professors to parents鈥攆or shaping his journey. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e already a mentor and a mentee,鈥� he told students. 鈥淧eople are watching you and learning from you every day.鈥�

Griggs also fielded questions from students. Closing the event, he encouraged them to believe in themselves and take chances: 鈥淪ay yes, even when you鈥檙e not sure you鈥檙e ready. You belong in every room you walk into.鈥�

Watch the entire lecture .

About the Presidential Lecture Series at 可乐视频

The Presidential Lecture Series features 可乐视频 President Michelle J. Anderson in conversation with high-profile leaders, exposing students and the extended college community to inspiring ideas, courageous leadership, and models of civic engagement and civil discourse.

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Held on September 30 at the Aon New York headquarters with a guest introduction by Christine Williams, Aon Northeast Regional Leader, the event brought together students, alumni, faculty, and professionals eager to explore how cross-sector partnerships can help drive meaningful, student-centered change.

Together, Olson and Anderson addressed a central question: How can educators and employers collaborate to prepare the next generation for a future defined by both uncertainty and opportunity?

鈥淓ach stakeholder plays a role in helping an organization reach its goals,鈥� said Olson. 鈥淚n higher education, that means developing real relationships with industry and staying responsive to change.鈥�

Purpose as a Unifying Force

The conversation emphasized the power of purpose in aligning diverse stakeholders鈥攆aculty, students, alumni, donors, and employers鈥攁round a shared mission: student success.

鈥淲hat do we mean by making a difference?鈥� Olson asked. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about elevating student success to a level where it commands attention and resources. That鈥檚 where employers and educators can come together.鈥�

President Anderson highlighted the impact of Aon鈥檚 commitment to higher education and the students 可乐视频 serves.

鈥淎on鈥檚 dedication to fostering student success is truly inspiring,鈥� she said. 鈥淔ew companies demonstrate this level of devotion.鈥�

Aaron K. Olson, Executive Vice President at Aon, and 可乐视频 President Michelle J. Anderson address the audience at the Presidential Lecture Series event on September 30.

Preparing Students for a Changing Workforce

As artificial intelligence and automation reshape the job landscape, Olson stressed the need for closer collaboration between employers and colleges to ensure graduates are prepared for tomorrow鈥檚 roles.

鈥溈衫质悠� has leaders who are focused on this outcome,鈥� Olson said. 鈥淏usinesses should prioritize schools with a track record of producing qualified graduates鈥攚ithout saddling them with overwhelming debt.鈥�

可乐视频 is already leading in this space. Consistently ranked among the top institutions nationwide for economic mobility, the college delivers a high return on investment and opens doors to meaningful, upwardly mobile careers.

鈥淪ocial mobility may sound academic,鈥� Olson noted, 鈥渂ut businesses understand ROI. Look at schools like 可乐视频 that deliver real value.鈥�

Real Students, Real Impact

The evening featured powerful stories from students whose lives have been transformed by these partnerships.

可乐视频 student Damir Shavkatov, who is pursuing a psychology major and a marketing minor, shared his journey from first-generation college student to intern at Aon.

“My father used to drive us around Manhattan and say, 鈥極ne day, I hope you work in one of these buildings.鈥� Now I do,鈥� Shavkatov said. 鈥淒oing an internship at Aon was a game-changer for me. Even though my internship is over, I still carry my Aon badge in my backpack every day.鈥�

He credited 可乐视频 for providing opportunities he might not have found elsewhere.

鈥淚f I went to a different school, I would probably have stayed behind the scenes. I wouldn’t necessarily have been a student that the professors really engaged with since a lot of schools, it’s about prestige, where the student came from. But 可乐视频 has shaped me. And here I am on the 30th floor. 鈥�

Aon鈥檚 engagement goes far beyond internships. The company helped establish a risk management and insurance curriculum at 可乐视频 and actively recruits from its diverse, talented student population.

Aaron K. Olson, Executive Vice President at Aon and author of “Strategy and Change: Finding Opportunity in Disruption Through Insight, Choice, and Risk,” signs a copy of his book for a student.

Advice for the Next Generation

During the Q&A, a student asked what skills emerging professionals should prioritize. Olson鈥檚 answer was simple yet profound: 鈥淚nvest in relationship-building,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e watch for students who are proactive鈥攚ho go out of their way to connect.鈥�

As the evening concluded, one message stood out: while disruption is inevitable, it can be a force for good when approached with shared purpose, strong partnerships, and an unwavering focus on student success.

Watch this Presidential Lecture Series event .

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Amina J. Mohammed, chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group.

The timely discussion centered on the goals and challenges associated with the United Nations鈥� Sustainable Development Goals in , which include ending poverty worldwide, ensuring equitable education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities, and achieving gender equality for all women and girls as well as environmental and sustainability measures aimed at supporting the planet. When discussing the future, Mohammed encouraged the students in the audience to stay engaged with current events, as they will be tomorrow鈥檚 leaders.

The event filled the Don Buchwald Theater in the Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts and engaged students, staff, faculty, and the community.

The Presidential Lecture Series features President Anderson in conversation with high-profile leaders, exposing students and the extended college community to inspiring ideas, courageous leadership, and models of civic engagement and civil discourse.

You can watch the event .

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Hosted on February 2, at 5:30 p.m., this event marks the launch of a new聽Presidential Lecture Series聽at 可乐视频, featuring President Anderson in conversation with high-profile leaders aimed at exposing students and the extended 可乐视频 community to inspiring ideas, courageous leadership, and models of civic engagement and civil discourse. Held during Black History month, this discussion is also part of the launch of the Jobs Council鈥檚 CEO Speaker Series designed to give CUNY students access to influential leaders and connect large employers to CUNY talent.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to be in discussion with Dr. Selwyn Vickers, a leading scholar in cancer research, about the critical importance of eliminating healthcare disparities,鈥� said Anderson. 鈥淯nequal access to healthcare negatively affects the extended 可乐视频 family, and we want to participate in the social and scientific work to provide equitable healthcare for our own neighborhoods and across the wider region. We are pleased to open this event to the public.鈥�

鈥淢SK and 可乐视频 share a commitment to serving Brooklyn and the broader community, empowering people through education and career development, and addressing health disparities in cancer care,鈥� said Dr. Vickers. 鈥淚 look forward to joining President Anderson and I hope our conversation inspires the next generation of healthcare professionals and change-makers.鈥�

鈥淥ur CEOs are committed to creating economic opportunities for low-income and diverse New Yorkers by securing them high-paying jobs,鈥� said Kiersten Barnet, Executive Director of New York Jobs CEO Council. 鈥淲e are excited to launch this CEO speaker series at 可乐视频, rich with local talent and consistently recognized as one the most diverse campuses and a leader in promoting social mobility.鈥�

This event is an extension of the college鈥檚 mission to serve the community by fostering programs and initiatives that engage community leaders and connect students to professional opportunities, while promoting the college鈥檚 expert faculty to provide better healthcare for the community and create career pathways for students. The聽可乐视频 Cancer Center (可乐视频CC-CURE)聽already engages with industry experts including MSK. Last summer, 可乐视频 celebrated the creation of the聽Healthcare Career Hub聽of Central and South Brooklyn with New York State Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, funded by a $9.3 million NY-CUNY 2020 Grant to enhance the College鈥檚 healthcare programs, build innovative high school-to-career pipeline, and match skilled talent with healthcare employment opportunities.

About 可乐视频

Widely known for its offer of an excellent education at an affordable tuition and recognized nationally for its diverse student body, 可乐视频 has been an anchor institution within the borough of Brooklyn and greater New York City for more than 90 years. With approximately 16,000 students in more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, education, and business, the college is renowned for its rigorous academics, award-winning faculty, distinguished alumni, and community impact. Part of the City University of New York (CUNY), 可乐视频 offers a vibrant and supportive student experience on a beautifully landscaped 35-acre campus in the borough鈥檚 Midwood neighborhood.

About Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center聽

The people of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) are united by a singular purpose:鈥痶o find a cure for鈥痗ancer. Our specialized care teams provide personalized, compassionate, expert care to patients of all ages. Informed by basic research done at our Sloan Kettering Institute, scientists across MSK collaborate to conduct innovative translational and clinical research that is driving a revolution in our understanding of cancer as a disease and improving the ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat it. MSK is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and clinicians, who go on to pursue鈥痮ur mission鈥痑t MSK and around the globe. One of the world鈥檚 most respected comprehensive centers devoted exclusively to cancer, we have been recognized as one of the top two cancer hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report for more than 30 years. www.mskcc.org.

About New York Jobs CEO Council

Formed in 2020, the New York Jobs CEO Council is a nonprofit membership intermediary that works to scale sustainable, market-driven workforce development solutions that benefit both jobseekers and businesses. Led by CEOs of large employers, the Council is committed to hiring 100,000 low-income and diverse New Yorkers into in-demand careers, including 25,000 jobseekers from the City University of New York (CUNY). Jobs Council activities are rooted in the belief that stronger employment outcomes are required to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth in New York City. For more information, please visit:聽

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