2025-2026 Annual-Report-Magazine-issuu

This has been another great year, with continued growth in size and recognition at the College of Business and across FAU. In fall 2025, I was among about 25 deans invited by AACSB leaders to their first Mega-Business School Deans dinner. We were in a group with CUNYZicklin, FIU, Houston, North Texas, Penn State, Rutgers, San Diego State, UF, UCF, USF, UT Dallas, and other excellent universities. The challenges of operating a business school with around 10,000 students are significant for all of us, especially while AI and shifts in cultural norms continue to reshape higher education.

While support for socialism and antisemitism have swept across too many universities, we stand firmly against both here at Florida Atlantic.

At Florida Atlantic University College of Business, we continue to provide first-rate educational programs that prepare our students to reach for their own personal version of the American dream. Our American free enterprise economy is thriving in Florida, and we celebrate it. Our students – from many different backgrounds – study, play and work together to reach their goals.

Our students include entrepreneurs who start their own companies and employees who become leaders at organizations both large and small. Success is rarely easy, and there are no guarantees, but our students, faculty and staff continue to accomplish amazing things.

I am proud to serve as their Dean!

Daniel Gropper, Ph.D. DEAN

a decade of progress

Alex Schulze + Andrew Cooper 4Ocean Hannah Herbst Golden Hour Medical

Jan Bednar Shipmonk

Complex Phil Smith Center for Free Enterprise

International Business + CUIBE (assoc.)

OUR VISION + MISSION

The College of Business aspires to be an internationally known and a nationally ranked business school.

The college fosters an environment of entrepreneurial action and intellectual achievement through research and teaching, creating access to educational programs and opportunities for constituents emphasizing the diverse people, industries and issues of the south Florida region and beyond.

STUDENT SUCCESS

Marketing Department's First-ever GoDaddy Partnership

FAU College of Business's department of marketing launched its first-ever partnership with GoDaddy to give students direct access to the digital tools shaping today's business world.

The initiative delivered $25,000 in direct student support, along with free website domains, professional website builders, and expert-led training.

Seventy-three students benefited through two hands-on experiences — the AMA Website Design Competition and a one-day Marketing & E-Commerce Bootcamp featuring keynote speaker and FAU alumna Arielle Baril, founder of Rielli and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. This successful collaboration is set to continue, giving future students access to industry resources and real-world learning opportunities.

2nd Annual Florida Atlantic and International Materials Supply Chain Analytics Case Competition

Five student teams were tasked with solving a commodity forecasting problem at International Materials (IMI), Houston, by forecasting three to four commodities and optimizing inventory.

Executives from IMI evaluated presentations for proposed solutions and applicability to the IMI.

Winners and runners-up were celebrated at an inperson award ceremony following the presentations.

Solving Real-world Business Challenges

FAU AMA Named Semi-Finalist in Case Competition

FAU Health Administration

Students Earn Accolades

Graduate student team won third place and $1,000 in the 2025 American College of Healthcare Executives of South Florida (ACHE-SFL) Annual Future Healthcare Business Leaders Strategy Competition. Students spent months analyzing the included health case study and evaluating operational efficiency, patient access, cost and long-term sustainability. Before a panel of senior healthcare executives, they presented recommendations for expanding into physical locations or continue operating in a fully virtual model.

Students brought home multiple honors from Evolve: the American Marketing Association (AMA) 2025 International Collegiate Conference in New Orleans, La. The conference brought together more than 1,600 marketing students from more than 350 college chapters across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada. FAU AMA’s awards include top 15 for the case competition (a chapter best), honorable mention for its Social Impact video, highlighting Hometown Heroes and Major League Soccer, and Outstanding Recognition in three key categories for its Annual Report: Membership Growth (up to 90 members), Fundraising Excellence (featuring their AMA Sponsorship Program), and Chapter Communications.

STUDY ABROAD

Internships in Seville

Twenty-eight undergraduates completed sixweek internships with local companies and took FAU classes at the historic University of Seville, Spain.

Lyon, France – Uncorked

A three-week study in France’s gastronomic capital included classes, hands-on tastings and excursions to vineyards and local markets.

Farm-to-Fork in Barcelona

Students experienced a cultural immersion, exploring global food systems and sustainable practices while learning hands-on marketing insights, all under the warm Spanish sun.

Students Study Tour in South Africa

Executive Education students explored business operations, telecommunication infrastructures, public health systems, historical and cultural dynamics, and business ecosystems.

American Marketing Association Visits Florida Atlantic

Bennie F. Johnson, American Marketing Association, CEO, visited Florida Atlantic, marking the first leadership campus visit in FAU AMA’s chapter history. The one-day event was filled with conversation, creativity and connection, leaving students and faculty inspired by marketing’s power to bring ideas to life.

Johnson began the day with College of Business leaders, Daniel Gropper, Ph.D., dean, and Abhijit Guha, Ph.D., marketing professor, for a special episode of What’s Happening @FAUBusiness, one of the college’s official podcasts. The discussion ranged from AI and marketing education to the essential role of human creativity in shaping the profession’s future.

Johnson, who leads the world’s largest community-based marketing association, described AMA as “a professional community that is focused on the practice, the future, the growth and the dynamic nature of marketing.” He emphasized that marketing’s future depends on an expansive learning mindset and a willingness to experiment, evolve, and stay curious in a world where technology moves faster than ever.

During a special CEO Spotlight event, Eileen Acello, AMA advisor and marketing instructor moderated the conversation with Johnson, which drew a packed room of students eager to hear from the AMA leader. Johnson reflected on his career path, the value of creativity and collaboration, and the importance of using marketing as a force for connection and change.

ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE

AI IN HEALTH:

‘Eye’ on Health Uses AI to Detect Dizziness and Balance Disorders Remotely

AI IN HOSPITALITY:

AI Agents Take Over Travel Planning

Four Florida Atlantic researchers examined how the rise of artificial intelligence agents will introduce a new layer of complexity in how the hospitality industry navigates customer loyalty in their conceptual paper: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Agents and the Future of Customer Loyalty.”

Harshal Sanghvi, Ph.D., instructor in information technology and operations management, along with collaborators, developed a novel proof-of-concept deep learning model that leverages real-time data to assist in diagnosing nystagmus – a condition characterized by involuntary, rhythmic eye movements often linked to vestibular or neurological disorders. Researchers experimented with wearable headsets equipped with deep learning capabilities to detect nystagmus in real-time. FAU’s contributing departments include Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Communication Sciences and Disorders Exercise.

AI IN MARKETING:

AI, Creativity and the Next Era of Marketing

Bennie F. Johnson, AMA CEO, sat down with College of Business leaders, Daniel Gropper, Ph.D., dean, and Abhijit Guha, Ph.D., marketing professor, and discussed AI as a creative co-pilot, the shift toward real-time learning, and the power of community in shaping the next era of marketing.

Transforming Teaching, Research and Practice

AI IN:

Business Research

Business faculty are leading the charge in researching the intersection of artificial intelligence and business practice. Whether it's examining the promises and perils of generative AI or how to integrate AI into healthcare management,our researchers and faculty members are establishing the different ways and uses AI is changing the world of business today.

AI IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP:

AI IN:

Business Curriculum, Courses and Executive Certificates

Integrating artificial intelligence into our curriculum where it adds meaningful value empowers students to use AI as a strategic resource. Whether in finance, research, or other disciplines, students learn to leverage AI to enhance decisionmaking, cut through information overload, and push the boundaries of their capabilities.

Daniel Guido, mechanical engineering student, won first place for his business concept, FireCodes AI, an AI system that eliminates manual fire code searching. FireCodes AI, co-founded with Krish Malhotra, graduate student, helps fire protection engineers and inspectors search for the necessary codes in a system, eliminating the need to manually search through code books.

New MBA in Artificial Intelligence

PART OF THE EXECUTIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The College of Business launched a new MBA in Artificial Intelligence through its Executive Education programs, focusing on preparing future business leaders to thrive in an economy transformed by AI.

Providing a multidisciplinary approach to AI, the MBA in AI requires two foundational courses, “Managing Artificial Intelligence Product Development” and “Business Innovation with Artificial Intelligence,” which establish the strategic, ethical and operational pillars of AI implementation in business.

Students also select two electives from a robust menu spanning nearly every major business discipline:

• AI and Marketing – A Behavioral Science Perspective

• AI and Machine Learning for Economics & Business Decision Making

• Machine Learning and AI Applications in Finance

• Advanced Accounting Applicationsof Data Analytics

• Introduction to Business Analytics and Big Data

• Social Media and Web Analytics

• Digital Marketing

The selection and structure of courses position this as a uniquely flexible program empowering students to tailor their AI expertise to their functional interests, whether that is optimizing financial forecasting, transforming digital marketing, automating business processes, or advancing economic intelligence.

Developed in response to surging employer demand for business leaders who understand the opportunities and risks of AI, the concentration is available to students across online MBA, professional MBA, and executive MBA formats, allowing working professionals, rising executives and career changers to develop AI leadership capabilities without pausing their careers.

First University in Florida to Host Onsite Quantum Computer

Florida Atlantic University recently became the first university in Florida to publicly host a large, dedicated quantum computer on site, offering students and faculty immediate, hands-on access to quantum computing.

The university signed an agreement with D-Wave Quantum Inc. (NYSE: QBTS) to acquire and install an Advantage2 annealing quantum computer on the university’s Boca Raton campus, aiming to accelerate and solidify the state of Florida’s position as a leader in quantum computing.

For the College of Business, the cutting-edge system can equip faculty, researchers and students to work on real-world challenges in optimization across various disciplines such as finance, health, logistics, artificial intelligence and supply chains.

“This is an exciting ‘quantum’ leap for Florida Atlantic University as we strengthen our position as a hub of innovation in Florida and beyond,” said FAU President Adam Hasner. “As an R1 research university strategically located in South Florida, we are positioned to leverage these resources to tackle challenges in logistics, finance,

transportation, materials discovery, and much more."

The collaboration between FAU and D-Wave will include academic research, training, joint research and workforce development initiatives that will leverage D-Wave’s award-winning Advantage2 system to be housed on FAU’s campus.

FAU and D-Wave will also host joint ideation workshops and hackathons to explore real-world quantum use cases in areas such as public works, logistics, supply chains, transportation and emergency management.

FACULTY IN THE MEDIA

FAU’S College of Business faculty appeared in leading media outlets across the country on the most pressing issues and questions facing the country. From weighing in on the impact of tariffs on inflation, to the rise in tourism in Palm Beach County and artificial intelligence impact on the labor market, FAU faculty members shared relevant, timely insights.

Steven Carnovale, Ph.D.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Walmart warns it will raise prices within weeks because of tariffs.

"Certain tariffs on U.S. trading partners such as Vietnam and Taiwan that are currently paused will probably drag down discretionary categories such as apparel, accessories and home goods. While Walmart sells those products, about 60% of its revenue came from grocery sales in its most recent fiscal year."

ASSOCIATE DEAN, RESEARCH AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS, PROFESSOR OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

What comes after a startup exit? For women, it’s increasingly heading back to school.

"It depends what a founder wants to do next. If the women wanted to go on a corporate board, people might like to see an MBA, because you can’t always exactly explain what your startup experience really was.”

MEDIA HITS

4,499

MEDIA OUTLETS

41

FACULTY MEMBERS

122

SENIOR INSTRUCTOR AND DIRECTOR, ADAMS CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP

An Allapattah arts space has closed. In pricey Miami, it’s a cautionary tale.

“It’s particularly challenging when family is involved or things that are passion- or mission-driven. You really care about bringing something to life or having something important in the community, but you can’t allow that to supersede the financial viability."

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, ECONOMICS

Give your father socks for Christmas.

“Tens of millions of Americans are trying to figure out what to buy their fathers for Christmas. If you’re one of them, my advice is simple: Buy him socks. And not just any socks. Buy him the same socks you bought him last year. If you failed to buy him socks last year, buy him whatever socks he happens to be wearing right now.”

Anil Bilgihan, Ph.D.

PROFESSOR, HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

Hotels grapple with AI's double-sided impact on marketing.

"Hotels also face a challenge as travelers deploy AI agents to search and book hotels. Digital assistants could become new gatekeepers that filter hotel options before human travelers see brand advertisements. For a growing share of travelers, AI agents are screening options before a human ever sees a brand ad."

CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR, HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

Palm Beach's presidential presence gives area's tourism a 'Trump bump.'

"That Palm Beach County's average daily rate was that high above Miami-Dade's is nothing short of phenomenal. We definitely saw a noticeable increase [during Trump's first term], but this cycle has started off far further ahead, and far stronger. Retail is benefiting, auto rentals are benefiting, clubs are benefiting. Everything is benefiting."

Bryan Cutsinger, Ph.D.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, ECONOMICS

Florida city sees huge spike in millionaires.

“It's a very attractive place for a lot of reasons: no income tax, very friendly business environment, educated workforce.”

CHAIR AND PROFESSOR, ECONOMICS

Confidence among Hispanics in U.S. economy dips, FAU national poll finds.

“Persistently high borrowing costs and everyday price pressures — together with talk of new tariffs and a possible recession — are weighing on household outlooks. These headwinds are keeping many Hispanic families cautious about the economic outlook in the United States.”

FAU’s Business and Economic Polling Initiative reports declines in three of the five measures used to calculate the index.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Trade industry optimism takes a tariff hit in Broward County.

“This year there was a little bit more concern from the members.”

Menachof surveyed dozens of companies conducting business through Port Everglades who are members of the port’s industry trade association. The obvious source of the growing concerns — the moving targets of tariffs.

RANKINGS & RECOGNITIONS

FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY

EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

RANKED NO. 1 IN FLORIDA & NO.4 IN THE U.S. FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW

Where Sport Careers Begin

At Florida Atlantic University, the MBA in Sport Management is defined by outcomes. Graduates are building careers with many of the world’s most recognizable sport organizations.

These placements reflect a program designed for real-world impact, combining business fundamentals, sport-focused strategy, industry mentorship, and experiential learning. Employers

value FAU Sport MBA graduates for their professionalism, readiness, and ability to contribute immediately.

Consistently ranked among the world’s best, the FAU MBA in Sport Management delivers what matters most: access, opportunity, and career advancement in the global sports industry.

CAREER PLACEMENTS:

Association of PickleBall Players (APP)

Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)

Boston Red Sox

Celsius

Cincinnati Reds

Dallas Cowboys

ESPN

F1 Miami Grand Prix

Fanatics

FanDuel FIFA

Florida Panthers

IMG Academy

Inter Miami CF

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

LIV Golf

Memphis Grizzlies

Miami Dolphins

Miami Heat

NBC Sports

NFL

Orange Bowl Committee

Palm Beach County Sports

Commission

PGA of America

Philadelphia 76ers

Toronto Maple Leafs

WE ARE ENTREPRENEURS

Educate, Encourage, Empower

Ph.D. Student Named Finalist in International Shark Tank Competition

Megan Harper, first-year student in the Entrepreneurship Ph.D. program, was named a finalist in the International Family Enterprise Research Academy Shark Tank.

FAU Entrepreneurship Research Rises in International Rankings

FAU rose two spots in the rankings calculated by the Texas Christian University Global University Research Productivity report, ranking No. 8, up from No. 10 last year.

$1.6M for Entrepreneurial Scholarships Added

The Robert L. Schattner Entrepreneurial Scholarship supports students with financial need who have taken at least one entrepreneur class and who may start their own companies one day. To date, these scholarships have benefited more than 30 students. Schattner embraces FAU as his hometown university and continues providing entrepreneurship scholarships initially established 15 years ago in perpetuity.

2026 Top 20 Entrepreneurship Programs by Princeton Review

The Undergraduate program is ranked No. 19, up from No. 24 in 2024, for the best programs for entrepreneurship studies by The Princeton Review; the graduate entrepreneurship program is ranked No. 40, up from No. 42 in 2024.

7 ALUMNI NAMED FORBES 30 UNDER

MAXAMILLIAN SHERMAN BALLZ 4 CHANGE - 2025

ALEX SCHULZE & ANDREW COOPER 4OCEAN - 2019

KYLE LANSING STRAWFISH - 2024

JAN BEDNAR SHIPMONK - 2018

30

- 2023

HERBST BEACON - 2018

EDUCATING

and Empowering

State of Florida Entrepreneurship Excellence Awards for Teaching and Research

2025 State of Florida Entrepreneurship

Educator of the Year Award

Kevin Cox, Ph.D.

Student Researcher of the Year Award

Robert Reardon, Ph.D.

Outstanding Research Papers:

• Donald Neubaum, Ph.D., Siri Terjesen, Ph.D., and alumni Parisa Haim Faridian, Ph.D., "Untangling the complexity of innovativeness in new ventures”

• Mark Packard, Ph.D., "Rogue Entrepreneurship"

Academy of Management 2025 Entrepreneurship Practice Award

The Academy of Management awarded Kevin Cox, Ph.D., director of the Adams Center for Entrepreneurship, the distinguished 2025 Entrepreneurship Practice Award for his efforts in fostering entrepreneurs in the South Florida region through the Entrepreneur Boot Camp.

Adam’s Center Hosts Boca Raton Shrimp Tank Podcast

Richelle Peña, founder of RPW Consultants, shared her entrepreneurial journey with Florida Atlantic entrepreneurship students, describing how she took a major risk in 2011 to build a business serving children with special needs. She discussed overcoming financial challenges, using effective marketing to achieve retail success, and emphasized the importance of perseverance, mentorship, and maintaining balance while growing a business.

Entrepreneurs FUTURE

CELEBRATING STUDENT INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURIAL EXCELLENCE AT FAU’S 17 TH ANNUAL BUSINESS PITCH COMPETITION

STUDENT TRACK WINNER

FireCodes AI, an artificial intelligence system that eliminates manual fire codes for buildings, won first place and $2,500.

Co-founded by Daniel Guido, ‘26, and University of Massachusetts at Amherst graduate Krish Malhotra, helps fire protection engineers and inspectors search for the necessary codes in a system, eliminating the need to manually search through code books.

FireCodes AI also won first place at the Roundtable of Entrepreneurship Educators of Florida’s 2025 Governor’s Cup Entrepreneurship Competition, Florida’s premier collegiate pitch competition.

STUDENT TRACK RUNNERS UP

Chum Bomb, a patent-pending fishing technique aimed to make chumming more efficient by mechanical engineering graduate student Cesar Oeid.

Bioseq AI, an AI tool using smart technology to make medical diagnoses faster, was invented by FAU High School dual-enrolled students Donata Amineva, Jossaya Camille and Makai Pindell.

VETERAN’S TRACK

Winner - Zera Techbridge, a marketplace and service platform connecting veterans, students and institutions to various AI certifications and workforce pathways, earned $1,500 in seed funding.

Runner Up - Wall-r, a 3D printing company creating eco-friendly walls at construction sites, earned $1,000 in seed funding.

FACULTY

Research

British Academy Visiting Fellowship (nearly $42,000/£33,102) to support his project "R&D Expenditures, Disclosures, and Reporting Practices across the US and UK."

An International Business and Entrepreneurship scholar working on global strategy issues, his 2025-26 publications appear in Journal of Business Venturing and Journal of Management Studies, both FT50 journals.

FACULTY

Recognitions

Abhijit Guha, Ph.D.

ECONOMICS

Bonnie T. Meszaros Curriculum Leadership Award by the National Association of Economic Educators, recognizes outstanding leadership and innovation in economic education

ENTREPRENEURSHIP/ MANAGEMENT

2025 40 Under 40 Honoree by the South Florida Business Journal

HEALTH ADMINISTRATION/ MANAGEMENT MARKETING

Researcher Spotlight by the Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research

AMA Retailing & Pricing SIG Service Award for significant contributions to the Retailing and Pricing Special Interest Group and dedicated service and leadership

CONGRATULATIONS

2025 WARREN LLOYD HOLTZMAN AWARD RECIPIENTS

RESEARCH

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, MARKETING

TEACHING SERVICE

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

INSTRUCTOR, MARKETING

Spotlights ALUMNI

FAU HALL OF FAME

LUIS ALBERTO MORENO ‘76

Luis Alberto Moreno, a graduate of the College of Business, was recognized as one of two 2025 FAU Hall of Fame inductees, marking the 40th anniversary of this award that represents the pinnacle of career impact and industry success.

Moreno served 15 years as president of the Inter-American Development Bank, transforming the organization and advancing innovation in economic development.

Previously, he served as Colombia’s ambassador to the United States, playing a key role in securing bipartisan support for Plan Colombia, which helped drive security and economic progress. During his career, he has received numerous distinctions, including Colombia’s highest peacetime decoration, the Grand Cross of the Order of Boyaca.

UNIVERSITY AWARDS

56TH ANNUAL HONORS CONVOCATION

The College of Business shone brightly with several notable achievements at the 56th annual Honors Convocation at Florida Atlantic, hosted by President Adam Hasner and former Interim Provost Russell Ivy at the University Theatre, recognizing the university's most outstanding students and faculty.

University Scholar

Gabriella Figueiredo, a management major with a leadership concentration

Undergraduate Researcher of the Year, Allen E. Smith Award

Alexander Aranda, economics major with a minor in applications of artificial intelligence

Distinguished First-year Undergraduate Student of the Year

Maya Desai, honors program and international business student

FAU Online Faculty Award

Katarina Brant, Ph.D., instructor in the Management Department with expertise in international business, culture and leadership

Student-Athletes of the Year

Michelle Horan, MBA, with a concentration in marketing – women's soccer

Bryan Boully, accounting major – men’s baseball

DISTINGUISHED

JAN BEDNAR

While still a student, Jan Bednar entered and won the FAU Business Plan Competition with his international package-purchasing and shipping concept.

BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION '14

Winning the Business Plan Competition, sponsored by the Adams Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business, earned Bednar a spot at The Runway, where its accelerator program, including mentors and other support, allowed him to refine and further develop his new business.

Bednar graduated in 2014 with a major in management information systems and by 2016, he transformed BedaBox into its new fast-growing incarnation, ShipMonk.

His success was recognized on the 2018 Forbes 30 Under 30: Retail & eCommerce list. In 2020, ShipMonk secured $290 million in new funding financing.

Pierre Alexandre, Ph.D.

Judith Monestime, Ph.D.

Health administration research grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the use of electronic records in underserved communities

$437.3K $167K

Siri Terjesen, Ph.D.

Georgetown Subaward to College of Business

Michael Ryall, Ph.D.

Mortimer J. Adler Fellowship in Transformative Business Leadership

William Bosshardt, Ph.D.

Florida Council on Economic Education

Hong Yuan, Ph.D.

GoDaddy Student Awards for Website Competition & Marketing Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs

Kevin Cox, Ph.D.

Southeast Florida Veterans Entrepreneur Network Partner

Kevin Cox, Ph.D.

City of Boca Raton Economic Development Fund Investment

Kevin Cox, Ph.D.

2025 eFEST Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Competition

Gia Nardini, Ph.D.

The Fun and Function of Rotational Variety

Supporting Wilderness and Wild Scenic River Management through Frameworks and Decisionsupport Tools

MORTIMER J. ADLER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM IN

Transformative Business Leadership

Thirty-five top MBA candidates and alumni from across the country gathered at Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus to begin their journey through the inaugural Mortimer J. Adler Fellowship in Transformational Leadership, a program dedicated to developing business leaders grounded in character, purpose, and human excellence.

The five-day intensive, held March 15–19, 2025 at the FAU Executive Education facilities, marked the official launch of the fellowship experience. Over the course of 45 hours, participants engaged in rigorous philosophical discussions and leadership development sessions guided by program faculty Michael Ryall, Ph.D., Jeremy Wilkins, Ph.D., and Joshua Harris, Ph.D.

The Adler Fellowship is operated by Florida Atlantic University’s Madden Center for Value Creation in partnership with the Charles Koch Foundation.

Boca Finance and Real Estate Conference

The College of Business hosted the second annual Boca Finance and Real Estate Conference Nov. 13-14.

The two-day conference offered an inside look at the future of finance and real estate as South Florida accelerates its rise as “Wall Street South.” Highlights included Alok Kumar, Ph.D., Gabelli Asset Management Chair at the Miami Herbert Business School, who delivered the keynote address: “The Inflation Gamble.”

Industry experts and researchers from leading institutions across the United States, including the Federal Reserve, gathered to discuss insights, data, and the latest trends in real estate, the emergence of artificial intelligence in finance, and the current state of the economy.

The inaugural Boca Finance Conference, held at FAU in 2020, focused on finance and corporate governance; this year’s focus was on finance, real estate, artificial intelligence and alternative investments.

COLLEGE

Events

ENGAGING MINDS. BUILDING CONNECTIONS. SHAPING FUTURES.

Through fireside chats, career networking events, and high-profile conferences, the Florida Atlantic University College of Business creates dynamic spaces where students, executives, and thought leaders exchange ideas and build lasting partnerships.

Fireside Chat with George Gilder

INNOVATION, ISRAEL, AND THE FUTURE OF GLOBAL PROSPERITY

Economist and author George Gilder joined the Florida Atlantic University College of Business for a fireside chat exploring insights from his book

The Israel Test: How Israel’s Genius Enriches and Challenges the World and the role Israel’s innovation ecosystem plays in shaping the global economy.

NobleCon21

LEADERSHIP, POLICY AND ECONOMIC IMPACT

The 21st annual NobleCon21 brought together more than 200 C-suite executives, investors and industry leaders for a multi-track program of corporate presentations and networking. The conference featured a fireside chat with Bret Baier discussing the recent election and the economic and corporate implications of the current administration.

Accounting Kickoff

WHERE TALENT MEETS OPPORTUNITY

Since 2013, Florida Atlantic University’s School of Accounting has connected top students with leading firms through its signature Accounting Kickoff networking event. In a dynamic “speednetworking” format, recruiters meet with more than 50 of the program’s top-performing students — building connections that launch careers and strengthen industry partnerships.

Tailgate FLORIDA ATLANTIC

The 2025 Executive Education Tailgate brought students and faculty together for an afternoon full of energy, laughter and school spirit. The event created a lively space to connect, unwind and celebrate before the game with shared excitement and plenty of Owl pride.

PHIL SMITH CENTER for Free Enterprise

“THE ECONOMICS OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT”

Economist Anne Bradley, Ph.D., visited the College of Business to discuss the economic mechanisms that sustain growth. Drawing on her research and experience as vice president of Academic Affairs at The Fund for American Studies she highlighted the importance of property rights, market institutions, and sound governance in supporting prosperity and opportunity.

“UNDERSTANDING

“THE

ISRAEL TEST”

Anne Bradley, Ph.D.

Technology theorist and economist George Gilder visited to discuss themes from his book The Israel Test and the role of entrepreneurship in economic growth. He highlighted Israel’s culture of innovation, venture investment and technological experimentation, emphasizing how risk-taking, technological progress and strong market institutions support long-run prosperity.

MONEY”

Bitcoin developer and educator Jimmy Song spoke to students about the evolution of money and the economic implications of decentralized digital currencies. Drawing on his experience in the Bitcoin ecosystem, he explained blockchain technology, the concept of sound money and the potential role of decentralized systems in the future of finance.

Burt Folsom, Ph.D.

“LIVE NOT BY LIES”

“MYTH

OF THE ROBBER BARONS”

Economic historian Burt Folsom, Ph.D., visited to discuss themes from his book The Myth of the Robber Barons. In a lecture, he examined entrepreneurship, innovation and competition in America’s industrial development, distinguishing market-driven entrepreneurs from firms that relied on political privilege rather than innovation.

A campus event on the documentary, Live Not by Lies, featured remarks from Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, political commentator Ben Shapiro, and journalist Rod Dreher. Speakers discussed centralized control, regulation and open discourse, highlighting the importance of entrepreneurship, open markets and pro-growth policies in supporting innovation and long-run prosperity.

“SOCIAL SECURITY AND FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY”

Romina Boccia of the Cato Institute, an economist specializing in fiscal policy, visited to discuss the long-term challenges facing the U.S. Social Security system. She examined demographic trends and fiscal pressures behind its projected insolvency and outlined policy approaches to improve long-run sustainability and fiscal stability.

Speakers – Barbara Kolm, Richard Rahn, Dan Mitchell, in partnership with the Austrian Economics Center and Florida Atlantic University, hosted the Free Market Roadshow, welcoming three internationally recognized economists to campus. Kolm, director of the Austrian Economics Center, spoke on the theme of her book The Pretense of Knowledge, examining the limits of centralized economic planning and the importance of institutional frameworks that support free and prosperous societies.

Rahn, former chief economist of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, shared insights from his work in

economic policy and international development, emphasizing the role of economic freedom and sound fiscal institutions in promoting longrun growth.

Mitchell concluded the program with a lecture to principles of macroeconomics students on the economic consequences of fiscal policy, highlighting how taxation and government spending influence incentives, investment and long-run prosperity. Together, the speakers offered students and members of the university community a broad perspective on the institutional foundations of economic growth and the policy choices that shape it.

Phil Smith Center Trips

The Phil Smith Center is a partner of the Free to Choose Network. For the second consecutive year, students who have participated in center initiatives had the opportunity to travel to West Fairlee, Vermont, to participate in CAPITAF (Capitalism & Freedom) Student Colloquium.

This student-led discussion is a week-long excursion held at economists Milton and Rose Friedman’s former Vermont estate. Florida Atlantic students, along with students from other partner universities, lead discussions on excerpts from Milton Friedman’s best-known works, Free to Choose & Capitalism and Freedom. This year, Andrew Garrison, director, Phil Smith Center, moderated the week’s discussions and organized student excursions during this immersive experience.

Students from University of Wisconsin –Milwaukee and Universidad Université Francisco Marroquin in Guatemala were part of the week’s discussions, allowing Florida Atlantic students to hear diverse perspectives.

31st ANNUAL

BUSINESS LEADERS OF THE YEAR CRAIG

ZINN

FOUNDER AND CEO

Craig Zinn Automotive Group

Florida Atlantic University College of Business Honors Craig Zinn as Business Leader of the Year

“We are thrilled to have Craig Zinn as this year’s recipient of the Business Leader of the Year,” said Daniel Gropper, Ph.D., dean of FAU’s College of Business and Kaye Family professor. “Mr. Zinn is an incredible entrepreneur who is also an exceptional leader. To have him as a role model for our business students and the broader South Florida community is an honor.”

Zinn, an American automotive entrepreneur and philanthropist, has more than 40 years in the automotive industry. He began his journey in 1980 when he purchased his first car dealership, having gained experience from

a young age while working alongside his father in the automotive industry. His years working in every aspect, from washing and detailing cars to working as a line mechanic and in parts and inventory, offered vast experience in the industry.

BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR

SPONSORS

Wall Street South

FAU Supports South Florida’s Rising Financial Hub

The finance major at FAU’s College of Business is the largest in the school, with more than 700 undergraduate finance majors in addition to the master of finance program.

These students represent one of the most dynamic and career-focused finance talent pools in the Southeast. Through rigorous coursework, experiential learning opportunities and industry engagement, FAU prepares students to meet the demands of an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace.

Graduates are already making their mark across South Florida’s leading financial institutions and global firms.

FAU alumni work at prestigious organizations including

• AllianceBernstein

• BlackRock

• CIBC

• Goldman Sachs

• JP Morgan

• Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

• Morgan Stanley

• Neuberger Berman

• Northern Trust

• Oppenheimer & Company

• UBS Financial Services

Many have also joined leading investment and private equity firms such as

• Benefit Street Partners

• DigitalBridge

• Kayne Anderson

• Noble Capital Markets

• Polen Capital

• PrideRock Capital Partners

• Sun Capital Partners

Beyond traditional financial institutions, FAU graduates contribute their expertise at influential organizations such as

• Accenture

• American Express

• Bank of America

• Capital One

• Citi Group

• Deloitte

• EY

• NextEra Energy/FPL

• PwC

Others are driving growth within respected regional firms including

• Anchin

• Baird

• Blue Water Advisors

• DSM Capital Partners

• Global Investment

• Incapital

• JM Family Enterprises

• Mesirow Financial

• NewDay USA

• State Trust

• Sterling Organization

This strong placement and alumni network reflect FAU’s deep engagement with the South Florida financial community. Through internships, corporate partnerships, guest lectures, and career development programs, the College of Business maintains close relationships with the firms that are shaping the region’s financial future.

As South Florida continues its transformation into “Wall Street South,” FAU’s College of Business plays a central role developing the skilled, ethical and forward-thinking finance professionals who will power the region’s next chapter of growth.

From the Classroom to the Boardroom:

FAU's Student Fund is the Real Deal

FAU finance students recently presented their real investment decisions to a panel of South Florida financial professionals, showcasing the College of Business's commitment to experiential learning.

Working through the Polen Capital – FAU Foundation Student Investment Fund, six teams presented portfolio strategies, market outlooks, and risk assessments to practitioners from JP Morgan Private Bank, Meridian Wealth Management Group, and Bryn Mawr Trust as part of the Student Managed Investment Fund.

"There is nothing quite like managing real money," said Anna Pomeranets, Ph.D., senior finance instructor. "It transforms classroom concepts into real-world decisions and gives students something powerful to talk about in interviews."

The numbers back that up. Since its December 2023 inception, the fund has posted a time-weighted return of 47.46% and an alpha of three. It currently stands at $614,580 — grown from a $500,000 launch funded by a $250,000 gift from Dan Davidowitz and Polen Capital Management, matched dollar-for-dollar by the FAU Foundation.

Fed Policy Under Pressure National Monetary Conference

The College of Business hosted Fed Policy Under Pressure, a day-long conference on Federal Reserve independence and sound monetary policy, in partnership with the American Institute for Economic Research (AIER) and the Shadow Open Market Committee.

Tyler Goodspeed, Ph.D., chief economist at ExxonMobil and former chair of the U.S. Council of Economic Advisors, opened the conference. Federal Reserve Vice Chair Philip Jefferson, Ph.D., delivered the keynote, expressing "cautious optimism" about the economy and monetary policy implementation.

Attendees and speakers came from universities and institutions from across the country, including Rutgers, the University of Miami, Boston College and Dartmouth, alongside practitioners from JP Morgan, Bank of America, Point72 and Omega Advisors.

Other speakers included:

Michael D. Bordo, Ph.D., Board of Governors Professor of Economics and Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University; Shadow Open Market Committee member

Bryan Cutsinger, Ph.D., professor of economics, Florida Atlantic University

Peter Ireland, Ph.D., professor of economics, Boston College; Shadow Open Market Committee member

William J. Luther, Ph.D., associate professor of economics, Florida Atlantic University; director, Sound Money Project at the American Institute for Economic Research

Andrew Levin, Ph.D., professor of economics, Dartmouth College; Shadow Open Market Committee member

Mickey Levy, Ph.D., past chief economist for Bank of America; Shadow Open Market Committee member

Kathryn Judge Harvey J. Goldschmid Professor of Law at Columbia Law School

DEAN’S ADVISORY BOARD

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

Peter Anderson

Vice President of Woodforest Wealth Strategies, Raymond James Financial Services

Tom Mersch

General Counsel Kelley Kronenberg

Pete Striano

Managing Partner Northwestern Mutual The Striano Financial Group

Brendan T. Cavanagh

Chief Executive Officer & President SBA Communications Corporation

Amy Rosen

Chief Marketing Officer People’s Trust Insurance

John C. Tolbert

Senior Vice President, Asset Management at BRE Hotels & Resorts

Janet Wincko

Michael DeBock

Vice President & Head of Origination NextEra Energy, Inc.

Lisa Rosenthal

Co-owner & Chief Executive Officer Mayvin, Inc.

Frank Veros

Former Vice President of Sales & Marketing Ford Motor Company