Carey Business School welcomes IIF Future Leaders Group

There is a Chinese proverb that says, "Teachers open the doors, but you must enter by yourself.” For Carey graduate assistant Emily Chen, the opportunity to attend October’s Institute of International Finance’s annual members conference in Washington, D.C. was an opportunity too good to pass up. 

“Just being there was a very valuable experience,” said Chen. “You see these people who you read about in the newspaper or on Google, but you're actually seeing them in person. They're like a few meters away from you.” The recent gathering featured some of the world’s most influential finance leaders and policymakers, including U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen, Congressional Budget Office Director Phillip Swagel, JP Morgan Chase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon, PwC Partner and Chief Economist Alexis Crow, and CFA Institute President and CEO Margaret Franklin.

IIF is the global trade association for members of the financial services industry. The group boasts more than 400 members from 60 countries and provides members with innovative research, industry events, and an influential network. The IIF supports the financial industry with prudent risk management, and sound industry practices, as well as advocating for financial policies that foster global financial stability and sustainable economic growth.

“Bringing together Carey students and the IIF exemplifies our commitment to building bridges between academia and industry,” said Senior Associate Dean for Student Experience and Strategic Initiatives Jill Green. “This collaboration provided opportunities for our students to engage with emerging leaders and gain real world perspectives in finance. We are grateful to IIF for their partnership.”

Future leaders

Chen says she was excited to meet the IIF’s Future Leaders Group when they visited the Carey Business School’s Hopkins Bloomberg Center location. The Future Leaders are a group of 57 young professionals nominated to the IIF by some of the world’s top financial institutions. The select group, which includes representatives from more than 26 countries, visited Carey to meet with some of the school’s faculty and a group of 20 finance students.

“They were so friendly and really willing to talk to you,” said Chen. “And they were all willing to share and discuss the job-seeking process.”

While at Carey, the IIF Future Leaders Group also met with professors Sudip Gupta, Xian Sun, and Demir Yener for the panel discussion “Transforming Finance: Machine Learning, Emerging Markets, and ESG Solutions.” They covered a wide range of issues including the importance of governance, transparency, and accountability in finance.

“Collaborative leadership is a core value of the Carey Business School,” said Carey Vice Dean for Education Lasse Mertins. “We were delighted to welcome the IIF Future Leaders Group for some insightful discussions of vital business issues. Our students also aspire to be the next generation of business leader and really benefited from the experience.”