2023 Future of Global Business Conference

The first annual Future of Global Business Conference, hosted by Georgetown McDonough’s Baratta Center for Global Business was hosted on October 2, 2023. The conference brought together senior executives from the international business community, policymakers, and Georgetown faculty, students, and alumni for discussions on the future of global business in the coming years, especially in an increasingly “disengaged” world. The conference focused on global value chains, cross-border investing, artificial intelligence, and the future of globalization. It featured speakers from across industries, including keynote conversations with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, on the current state of globalization and with Moisés Naím, former Minister of Trade and Industry of Venezuela, on what to expect in the future of global business, trade, and investing.

Stay tuned for information on future conferences to join the Baratta Center for what promises to be a continuing dialogue on some of the most pressing challenges and promising opportunities facing the global business community.

Agenda 

2 – 2:30 p.m. Center Welcome
Short presentation and discussion about the vision of the Baratta Center and an invitation to participate in future events and activities.

  • Joseph Baratta (B’93), Global Head of Private Equity, Blackstone
  • Paul Almeida, Dean and William R. Berkley Chair, McDonough School of Business
  • Ricardo Ernst, Baratta Chair in Global Business, McDonough School of Business
  • Anil Khurana, Research Professor and Executive Director of the Baratta Center for Global Business

2:30 – 3:15 p.mFuture of Global and Cross-Border Investing
This insightful session will explore how geopolitics, currency shifts, inflation, fiscal deficits, taxes, regulations, sustainability, and demographics are expected to shape the future of global and cross-border investing. Gain valuable insights into the perspectives of different investor types, from corporate to private equity, sovereign wealth funds, and government funding. Discover also how these investors are thinking about global priorities like poverty alleviation, climate change, and others.

  • Joseph Baratta (B’93), Global Head of Private Equity, Blackstone
  • Kevin Warsh, Fellow, Stanford Hoover Institution; Former Federal Reserve Governor
  • Stephanie von Friedeburg (SFS’87), Managing Director of Capital Markets, Citi

Moderated by Jennie Bai, Professor of Finance, McDonough School of Business

3:15 – 3:25 p.m. Coffee Break

3:25 – 4:10 p.m. Future of Global Value Chains
Global value chains are changing and being reconstructed due to ongoing disruptions such as geopolitics and de-globalization pressures; technology and AI; supply chain disruptions; customer expectations; sustainability and climate drivers; demographic changes; and shifts in value propositions and business models. And these disruptions are all typically found at the intersection of key ecosystem players (suppliers, distributors, channels, customers, etc.) and countries and governments. How should companies, policymakers, and investors respond to value chain and ecosystem changes? 

  • Andres Gluski, CEO, AES
  • Jennifer Morgan, Head of Portfolio Operations, Blackstone
  • Amer Battikhi, Senior Vice President, Platforms, Technologies, and Software Solutions, Jacobs

Moderated by Ricardo Ernst

4:15 – 4:55 p.m. AI, People, and the Future of Global Business
AI promises to revolutionize global industries and transform business operations. But will it augment human capabilities and require evolving skillsets, or is there a less optimistic scenario? Further, AI is expected to enhance efforts to address pressing human challenges such as climate change and poverty, or help design sustainable solutions and empower communities to uplift themselves – and be a powerful ally in creating a more equitable and inclusive world. Join this diverse panel comprising a technology leader, a champion of workplace culture and equity, and an investor in global development.

  • Michael Bush, CEO, Great Place to Work
  • Dan Diasio, Global Artificial Intelligence Consulting Leader, EY

Moderated by Alberto Rossi, Professor and Director of the AI, Analytics, and Future of Work Initiative, McDonough School of Business

4:55 – 5:10 p.m. Coffee Break

5:10 – 5:55 p.m. Future of Globalism and Globalization
Fireside interview with Moisés Naím, Distinguished Fellow, Carnegie Endowment and Former Minister of Trade and Industry, Venezuela

Moderated by Nuno Limao, Wallenberg Chair Professor, Georgetown University

5:10 – 5:55 p.m. Future of Globalism and Globalization
Fireside interview with Moisés Naím, Distinguished Fellow, Carnegie Endowment and Former Minister of Trade and Industry, Venezuela

Moderated by Nuno Limao, Wallenberg Chair Professor, Georgetown University

5:55 – 6:10 p.m. Synopsis and Future Plans and Announcement of the Annual Global Citizen Award
Presented by Anil Khurana and Ricardo Ernst.

6:15 – 6:30 p.m. Remarks on Globalization
Gina M. Raimondo, U.S. Secretary of Commerce

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Reception

Speakers

Learn more about our lineup of speakers from the The Future of Global Business: A Connected Yet Disengaged World? event.

Featured Speakers

Gina M. Raimondo

Secretary of Commerce

Joseph Baratta

Global Head of Private Equity
Blackstone’s Board of Directors Member

Moisés Naím

Distinguished Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International

Speakers

Amer Battikhi

Senior VP Platforms, Technologies, and Software Solutions, Jacob’s

Michael C. Bush

CEO, Great Place To Work

Daniel Diasio

Global Artificial Intelligence Leader, EY Consulting

Andrés Gluski

President and CEO, AES Corporation

Anil Khurana

Executive Director of the Baratta Center for Global Business and Research Professor of the Practice

Jennifer Morgan

Global Head of Portfolio Operations, Blackstone

Stephanie Von Friedeburg

Managing Director, Citi

Kevin Warsh

Shepard Family Distinguished Visiting Fellow in Economics at the Hoover Institution
Lecturer, Stanford Graduate School of Business

Moderators

Jennie Bai

Professor
Research Associate at National Bureau of Economic Research

Alberto Rossi

Hachigian Family Professor and Director, Future of Work Initiative | Director, Future of Work Initiative
Director of the AI, Analytics and Future of Work Initiative

Nuno Limao

Wallenberg Chair in International Business and Finance

Ricardo Ernst

Baratta Chair in Global Business and Executive Director, Latin American Leadership Program