Smith Soc welcomed leaders from all 25 student chapters, as well as representatives from a number of prospective chapters to New York City on Saturday July 30 for the annual Leadership Retreat. Meeting at a Midtown private club, the chapter leaders experienced a day-long program of training and information sessions, led by Smith Soc’s staff and several of the organization’s most successful alumni. The day culminated in a rooftop reception and talk by Adam Smith Society co-founder and Advisory Board member, Marilyn Fedak.
The New York City Professional Chapter of SmithSoc held its Summer Reception on the evening of Wednesday July 27 at a Midtown rooftop bar and lounge. The chapter was joined by Leon Cooperman, the founder of Omega Advisors and acknowledged to be one of the most successful hedge fund managers today. Mr. Cooperman was interviewed by Tom Keene of Bloomberg Radio. Their conversation touched on a variety of topics, including Mr. Cooperman's history in the field of finance, his advice for young professionals, and his personal philosophy of philanthropy.
The Smith Soc Chicago Professional Chapter held its Summer Reception on Thursday July 21. The chapter welcomed Samara Klar, PhD, a political science professor from the University of Arizona. Dr. Klar studies independent voters - why they think and vote the way they do. She held an informal conversation about the current election season. Given the historic nature of the 2016 election cycle, independent voters are primed to play a major role in the outcome.
The Boston Professional Chapter Summer Reception was held on Tuesday, July 12. The program featured a panel on Tech and Venture Capital - sectors that are undergoing growth and are also a part of the Boston-area business landscape.
The panelists included both established and rising leaders in both sectors: Robert White of Bain Capital and Harvard Business School; Christina Bechhold of Empire Angels; and John Ho of AnzuPartners. The panel was moderated by Josh Lerner, a Professor at Harvard Business School.