Tag: Mitsui Lunchtime Forum

03/19/12

Mitsui Lunchtime Forum: Mayan Meltdown or Moderate Momentum?

The first Mitsui Lunchtime Forum of the spring semester kicked off with speaker John F. Adams, Managing Director at JP Morgan Chase. The topic, Mayan Meltdown or Moderate Momentum? Current Perspectives on Global Markets, was a look at our current economic state and attempting to figure out if it is part of the cyclical cycle of economics or a  longer lasting issue that requires new solutions.

Using a recent vacation to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and the ancient Mayans as a metaphor of adaptation to one’s environment, Mr. Adams pointed to the financial situations in Germany and the Netherlands as opposed to those in Greece and Italy as examples of the economic cyclical cycle at work.

Dr. Adams has been involved in J.P. Morgan’s Investment Bank recruiting efforts at Baruch College since 2007 and earned his M.A. and Ph. D. in Economics from Ohio State University.

 

02/8/12

Mitsui Lunchtime Forum with John Griffonetti

At the 97th Mitsui Lunchtime Forum, Chairman and CEO of Certified Pure Air LLC, John Griffonetti spoke with Baruch students about the lessons he’s learned throughout his lengthy and productive career.

A Baruch alumni himself, Mr. Griffonetti graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1990. He says that he learned how to manage time while attending school full time and interning before and in between classes.  The college also has a special place in his heart as it is the place where he met his wife.

Mr. Griffonetti offered students several pieces of advice that helped him along his career:  Always be prepared and ask lots of questions. He shared that his best business advice is “Find out what your clients really need, not just what they say they want.”

As a serial entrepreneur in finance, Mr. Griffonetti placed an importance on making sure the back office was organized and running just as smoothly as the front office. His energetic and hardworking nature landed him positions at firms such as First Boston and Deloitte and Touche.

He currently owns a mortgage bank with the goal of becoming the next Quicken Loans. “Where there’s disaster, there’s opportunity,” he said, teaching students the importance of adapting, thinking outside of the box, and seizing opportunities in uncertain times.

01/18/12

Mitsui Lunchtime Forum with Philip Vasan

Dr. Philip Vasan was our guest speaker at our 96th Mitsui Lunchtime Forum. He is a Managing director at Credit Suisse in the Investment Banking Division in New York City. He is also Head of Prime Services and a member of the Investment Banking Management Committee and Gllobal Equity Management Committee.

Dr. Vasan invited the audience to think of the event as a conversation and gave students perspective on the credit crisis. “This will pass. It always does, but the question is, what will replace it?” he said.

The former head of Global Foreign Exchange at CS First Boston noted Baruch’s growth as a solid brand through the college’s strong programs and student determination.

 

 

12/16/11

Mitsui Highlights

On September 21st, the Weissman Center for International  Business kicked off its first Mitsui Lunchtime Forum of the semester with Thomas Shapero, the Senior Vice President and Head of U.S. Equities at Sanford C. Bernstein.

It was standing room only as Mr. Shapero discussed his journey from working as a doorman to becoming one of the leading professionals in his field to current Baruch students. His strong interest in investing led him to accept a job at Sanford C. Bernstein, where he learned the in’s and out’s of trading.

He currently sells high test research to the investing public to inform and find the best possible price for clients and manages 50-60 employees on a daily basis.

“There will be bumps in the road, it’s how you deal with them that counts,” Mr. Shapero said, having faced multiple lay-offs and challenges throughout his career.

He did, however share some helpful tips for students to keep in mind as they embark on their careers:

  1.  Learn what you do best, find your passion.
  2.  Dream big­­—don’t let anyone deter you from your aspirations.
  3.  Take steps to go forward—network with your peers and keep in touch with them after graduation.
  4.  Stay in tune with your industry. Keep up on news and technology and adapt your skillset to match.