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2017 Forum

Sponsored and supported by NDIGD and the Keough School of Global Affairs, the 2017 Notre Dame Global Pathways Forum (NDGPF) will bring together NDIGD's public and private partners for comprehensive and well-rounded dialogue around the theme: 

Co-Creation: Bridging the Value Chain and Investment Gap

As public and private entities expand to address consumer needs in diverse economic markets, they are grappling with community engagement issues, political and currency stability, underdeveloped supply and distribution channels, as well as infrastructure issues, among others. Our theme for the 2017 NDGPF endeavors to initiate and continue dialogue among these stakeholders around these very challenging issues.

Curtis Etherly Jpeg Headshot

Keynote Speaker

Curtis L. Etherly, Jr., Esq. serves as Director of Federal Affairs and International Stakeholder Relations for The Coca-Cola Company. In this capacity, Mr. Etherly interfaces with key congressional constituencies, including the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the LGBT Equality Caucus, and the Veterans Jobs Caucus.

A 15-year veteran of the Coca-Cola System, Mr. Etherly also leads the Company’s engagement with the African diplomatic corps, key U.S. government stakeholders, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in support of the Company’s business and philanthropic efforts across Sub-Saharan Africa. The Coca-Cola System is the largest private sector employer in Africa with over 70,000 associates and $17 billion (USD) in announced investments across the continent between 2010 and 2020. Coca-
Cola has been present in Africa since 1928 and operates in all 54 countries.

The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation (TCCAF) has committed $150 million (USD) to more than 200 projects across 48 countries on the continent. Key commitments include: the expansion of sustainable access to clean drinking water (RAIN Initiative), supporting women’s economic empowerment (5by20 Program), improving supply chain logistics for the transport of critical medicines and medical supplies (Project Last Mile), developing and enhancing sustainable local agriculture sourcing models (Source Africa), and youth development (“Youth Empowered for Success” Initiative).

Prior to his tenure with The Coca-Cola Company, Mr. Etherly served in varying professional capacities with local government, the non-profit sector, and private industry. He has advised stakeholders and principals on a wide array of issues including economic development, education and the environment, labor and municipal tax policy, zoning and land use. Mr. Etherly received his bachelor's degree in political science from Yale University in 1990 and his Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1995.

Agenda

In addition to the keynote address, which will be announced closer to the date of the event, the 2017 NDGPF will feature several panels:

Panel I: Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Value Chains

Moderator: Joe Sifer, Executive Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton

Panelists:

  • Tim McLellan, Chief Operating Officer, TechnoServe
  • Theresa Peterson, Senior Executive for External Affairs and Advanced Technology Programs, GE
  • Anna Pienaar, Global Director of Institutional Partnerships, International Justice Mission
  • Tracey Webb, Vice President of Structured Finance and Insurance, OPIC

Panel II: Universities Partnering on Global Challenges: The Integration Lab

Moderator: Tom Purekal, Program Manager, NDIGD

Panelists:

Panel III: Bridging the Impact Investing Gap

Moderator: Melissa Paulsen, Associate Director of Education and Training Programs, NDIGD

Panelists:

  • John Patrick “JP” Gibbons, Global Transactions Group Team Lead, USAID
  • Tara Kenney, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Boston Common Asset Management
  • Nancy Widjaja, Principal Manager of Knowledge and Industry Engagement, Accion Venture Lab
  • Christopher Walker, Director of the Innovation Investment Alliance, Mercy Corps

Panel IV: Corporate Ethics and Sustainability

Moderator: Christopher Adkins, Executive Director, Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership

Panelists:

  • Roger Ford, Global Managing Director, Accenture Development Partnerships
  • Doris Gonzalez, Director of Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs for the Americas, IBM
  • T.J. Kanczuzewski, President and CEO, Inovateus Solar

During lunch, attendees at each table will have the opportunity to participate in a roundtable discussion addressing themes such as:

  • The Benefits of Corporate Responsibility

  • Responding to Sustainable Development Goals

  • The Need for Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Sustainability and Environment

  • Understanding Local Networks for Business

  • Applied Innovation

  • Impact Investing

  • Financial Inclusion and the MSME Sector

Download a PDF of the agenda. Please note, a full, printed program will be provided on the day of the event with additional information about our speakers.

In Attendance

As in previous years, this forum will bring together key thought leaders from the private sector, global development organizations, foundations, and the federal government. In previous years, our forums have brought together industry and government leaders from organizations like Accenture, Coca-Cola, the Department of State, GE, IBM, and USAID. Among others, representatives from the following organizations will be in attendance and be featured in many of our panels and discussions:

Gpf17 Headliners Update 1

Additionally, a number of key Notre Dame administrators, faculty, and staff will be active participants in the forum, including: