Haas School Dean Rich Lyons just returned from his first official trip to Europe, where he met with alumni, new admits, prospective students, and media in Zurich, London, and Berlin.
Lyons' week-long trip at the beginning of June was part of an effort to continue to expand the school's global presence. "I already knew we have an impressive group of alumni in Europe, but meeting them in person took my respect to a new level," Lyons says. "I look forward to building even stronger ties to Europe in the future."
In Zurich, Lyons gave a lunch presentation on currency markets – his research field as a finance professor – to nearly 50 banking professionals at an event hosted by The Corporate Finance Group and Walder Wyss and Partners Zurich. The event was followed by a reception for alumni and newly admitted students hosted by Baer Karrer, a Swiss law firm.
While in Switzerland Lyons also met with alumnus Joe Jimenez, MBA 84, CEO of pharmaceutical company Novartis, which is headquartered in Basel. Senior Haas Development Director Jeanne HuangLi took a small side trip to Hungary, where she previously served as a Peace Corps volunteer, to meet with alumni in Budapest, including Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis, MBA 92, who was recently appointed U.S. ambassador to Hungary by President Obama.
In London, Lyons was a featured speaker for a discussion on "21st Century Leadership," a dinner event hosted by Richard Simmons, MBA 72, and sponsored by BPP Holdings. At the event, Lyons had the opportunity to meet members of Parliament, and UK leaders in business, academia, and journalism . Lyons had an interview with the Financial Times.
Lyons also connected with alumni and newly admitted students at an event in London June 4 that was generously hosted by alumna Karen McConnell, BA 75 (Spanish and German), MBA 78, and her husband.
Lyons attended two events in Berlin on June 5. He gave a presentation on "path-bending leadership" to a group of alumni and business professionals. Lyons also participated in a discussion on innovation featuring alumnus Greg Greeley, MBA 98, vice president of European retail at Amazon Europe.
Lyons already has set a date for a return trip to Europe at the same time in June next year. For more information on our international plans, please contact Jeanne HuangLi at [email protected].
Dean Rich Lyons (seated) meets with alumni in Berlin, including Greg Greeley (top right), MBA 98, vice president of European retail at Amazon Europe, who participated in a discussion on innovation.