SLU International Business Now

SLU International Business Now is a podcast from the Boeing Institute of International Business at Saint Louis University's Chaifetz School of Business exploring key issues in international business today with critical thought leaders from around the world. 

Join a new guest host each month from the Boeing Institute's Advisory Board of business executives as they discuss topics ranging from post-Brexit Europe to COVID market recovery, geo-economic strategies, the green deal and much more with leading global experts in international business.

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Episode 26: AIB-SE and Planning an Annual Conference

Featuring Wendy Ritz, Ph.D. and Brittney Bauer, Ph.D.

Join host Chris Carril and guests Wendy Ritz, Ph.D., Academy of International Business Southeast Chapter (AIB-SE) conference chair, and Brittney Bauer, Ph.D., AIB-SE marketing chair, as they discuss planning the annual AIB-SE conference, the history of X-culture and defining a successful international business conference.

More information can be found on the AIB-SE conference website.

Ritz is an associate professor of marketing at Florida State University. She is a fellow with the Direct Marketing Education Foundation and an active board member with the Academy of International Business Southeast Chapter. Her research focuses on the buyer journey in various markets, such as prosumption, business-to-business, international sales and marketing, and across various electronic platforms.

She has published in several marketing journals such as Industrial Marketing Management, Journal in Research of Interactive Marketing, and the Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, The Journal of Consumer Behavior, Marketing Education Review and the Harvard Business Review.

Bauer is an assistant professor of marketing in the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University Chicago and the director of the Quinlan School of Business Behavioral Lab. She earned her dual Ph.D. in marketing and international business from Saint Louis University in 2019. Furthermore, she received a certificate for university teaching skills from the Center of Teaching Excellence and a research methods minor during her doctoral studies. Bauer received the 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 College of Business Outstanding Research Awards.

Her work has been published in well-respected journals such as the International Journal of Research in Marketing, European Journal of Marketing, Journal of Advertising, Psychology & Marketing, Journal of Business Research, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Journal of Product & Brand Management, and Academy of Management Perspectives.

Bauer has an extensive research pipeline currently under review at top marketing and international business journals and her work has also been noted in the media. She is an editorial review board member and ad-hoc reviewer for various academic journals. Moreover, Bauer is an active member of the American Marketing Association, Academy of Marketing Science and Academy of International Business, and has performed various leadership roles for their respective annual meetings. She has also earned several best reviewer and best paper awards at these national and international conferences. 

Guest Wendy Ritz's LinkedIn

Episode 25: Balancing Organic and Inorganic Growth

featuring Greg Gorman

Join host Jeff Klopfenstein and guest Greg Gorman, chief growth officer of Nidec Motor Corp., as they discuss Nidec’s focus on organic growth, adapting to the ever-changing world of motor application products, and balancing organic and inorganic growth.

In his role, Greg has overall responsibility for both organic and inorganic growth, including devising long-term strategy and driving M&A on a global scale. In 2007, Greg joined Nidec in their Corporate Strategy Office where he served as their general manager of M&A until 2013 when he moved to St. Louis to grow Nidec’s then-newly acquired appliance, commercial and motor business as vice president of business planning and development. During his time in this role and later promotion to CGO, this appliance motor business would evolve into Motion & Energy, which today generates $3 billion in revenue from a wide breadth of products and innovations in many growing markets including electric automotive vehicle electrification, robotics, and energy storage. 

Guest Greg Gorman's LinkedIn

Episode 24: Reissue - Meds & Foods for Kids: An International Social Enterprise

featuring Patricia Wolff, M.D., and Chris Greene

This episode is a reissue from February 2023. 

Join Todd Hovermale, Boeing Institute of International Business Advisory Board member, as he leads a discussion with Patricia Wolff and Chris Greene from Meds & Food for Kids, a nonprofit organization based in Haiti. This episode dives into the background and operations of this inspirational and important work of this organization. To learn more or to donate to MFK, please visit their website. 

Wolff is the founder and executive director of Meds & Food for Kids, an organization with four main activities: Haitian production of ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) for treatment of malnourishment in children and pregnant women; treatment of malnourished children and supplementation of pregnant women; an agricultural program that helps Haitian farmers grow low-aflatoxin peanuts with higher yields, which are then purchased and used for RUTFs; development of a nutritious school snack and evaluation of the efficacy and acceptability of the snack among impoverished school children. Wolff also studies the prevention of malnutrition in at-risk babies in the urban slums of Haiti.

Chris Greene serves as CEO of Meds & Food for Kids. He started his career managing an entrepreneurial beverage distribution business, overseeing a staff of 20 with over 100 accounts. He joined Meds & Food for Kids in Haiti in 2015 and ran the manufacturing and distribution operations for five years. Chris then established a consulting business based in Georgia. Meds & Food for Kids recruited him back as CEO in June 2022.

Guest Patricia Wolff's LinkedIn

Guest Chris Greene's LinkedIn

Episode 23: Reissue - Sustainability Efforts in Global Businesses: Carol O'Neill

featuring Carol O'Neill

This episode is a reissue from October 2021.

As businesses worldwide increasingly focus on reducing their own environmental impact, it is important to examine how industries are evolving to embrace more sustainable practices. In episode 4 of SLU International Business Now, guest host Jennifer Mackey, Ph.D, sits down with Carol O'Neill, group president of packaging for Barry-Wehmiller, to discuss current efforts in global consumer packaging.

As group president of packaging, Carol O'Neill leads efforts to enhance the alignment and capabilities of the five divisions within the BW Packaging Systems Platform. Guest host Jennifer Mackey, Ph.D., serves as director of sustainability solutions at Bunzl Distribution USA and brings her strong background in the plastics industry as a marketing and sustainability professional to the episode.

View Guest Carol O'Neill's LinkedIn

View Guest Host Jennifer Mackey's LinkedIn

Episode 22: Watlow: Growing Internationally with Chad Merryman

featuring Chad Merryman 

Join host Jeff Klopfenstein and guest Chad Merryman, chief commercial officer at Watlow, as they discuss the recent growth of the thermal product manufacturer. 

Approaching 19 years with Watlow, Merryman has a proven track record in driving revenue growth through exceptional strategy development and clarity, channel execution with mastery of process and technique, and commercial leadership across sales, product management, and marketing. 

View Guest Chad Merryman's LinkedIn

Episode 21: International Business Resilience Under Global Disruptions with Arnold Donald

featuring Arnold Donald 

Join host Gene Cunningham and guest Arnold Donald, retired vice chairman and CEO of Carnival Corp., as they discuss the challenges Arnold faced as CEO and his path to the position. This conversation is an excerpt from the 2023 Bayer International Business Conference that took place on Dec. 6, 2022, at Saint Louis University.

Carnival Corp. and PLC is the world’s largest cruise company.  Their nine world-leading cruise brands — Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, Princess, Seabourn, AIDA, Costa, Cunard, P&O UK, and P&O Australia — are based throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Carnival Corp. and PLC is included in the S&P500 and the FTSE 100 indices, and trades on the New York and London Stock Exchanges.

Episode 20: Reissue- International Business Strategies: Enterprise Mobility

featuring Peter Smith

In October 2021, Enterprise Holdings announced a name change to Enterprise Mobility to honor their business’ 65-year history and mark the beginning of the next chapter.

This episode is a reissue from December 2021. 

Join host Gene Cunningham and guest Peter Smith, VP of global franchising at Enterprise Holdings, as they dive into the strategy and decision processes used by Enterprise as it expanded from its successful domestic rental car market to the global marketplace. Peter shares his thoughts on the opportunities and challenges Enterprise faced as it expanded internationally.  Of particular interest is the “franchising strategy” Enterprise embraced for international growth. 

Peter oversees the company's worldwide franchise operations and expansion efforts and has been with Enterprise since 2004. Host Gene Cunningham is a faculty member in the Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University and a retired aerospace executive with a 41-year career in international business, strategy and operations.

Episode 19: Improving Global Access to Educational Materials

featuring Paul Beamish, Ph.D.

Join host Todd Hovermale and guest Paul Beamish, Ph.D., professor of international business at the Ivey Business School at Western University - Canada and founder of the 39 Country Initiative, as they discuss the case study accessibility, starting the 39 Country Initiative, and the initiative's needs moving forward. 

Beamish's major areas of research emphasis include international management, strategic management, joint ventures, and more recently, outliers and rare events. He is the (co)author of 62 books and 150 refereed articles. Google Scholar has over 45,000 citations to his research. This ranks him among the top 10 faculty members at Western University, and within the worldwide top 10 in the field of international business. He served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of International Business Studies from 1993-97, is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and Asia Pacific Foundation, a Hellmuth Prize recipient, and past dean of the fellows of the Academy of International Business.

Learn More About the 39 Country Initiative 

Episode 18: Reissue - Responding to Global Crisis 

featuring Christine Duffy

Join host Gene Cunningham and guest Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, as they discuss how Carnival overcame the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the creation of opportunities to propel the company safely into the future. This conversation is an excerpt from the 2021 Bayer International Business Conference that took place on December 7, 2021, at Saint Louis University.*

Christine captains a company that sails a fleet of 25 ships, annually hosts nearly six million guests and employs more than 40,000 people who hail from 120 nations around the globe. 

*Note: This is a reissue of the podcast, originally aired January 27, 2022. 

Episode 17: Expanding Health Data Access and Fighting Sepsis 

featuring  Eric Doherty, Ted Conklin, M.D., and Joseph Colorafi, M.D.

Join host Gene Cunningham for a special roundtable conversation with Eric Doherty, Ted Conklin, M.D., and Joseph Colorafi, M.D., about PERSOWN’s mission to transform global health and health data access.  

Eric is the president of PERSOWN. Eric has nearly 30 years of healthcare-related executive leadership experience in starting and reorganizing businesses in the areas of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biotechnologies, biogenetics, EHR Systems, disposable medical equipment and consumer goods.

Ted Conklin is a seasoned health care executive and entrepreneur with over 32 years in the industry. He founded a start-up company in the virtual health care space and has also served in officer roles for two major health plans for over 10 years.

Joseph Colorafi has a body of experience in the creation and use of cloud-based big data platforms and is a thought leader applying advanced analytics to improve health care quality and financial performance.

View Guest Eric Doherty's LinkedIn

View Guest Ted Conklin's LinkedIn

View Guest Joseph Colorafi's LinkedIn

Episode 16: Revolutionizing Agrifood Systems

featuring Thad Simons

Join host Todd Hovermale for a special conversation with Thad Simons to hear how The Yield Lab is investing in and accelerating high-impact early-stage companies in agrifood systems around the world.

Thad is the managing director and founder of The Yield Lab. Founded in 2014, The Yield Lab brings together new innovative technologies focused on improving productivity, enhancing knowledge, eroding boundaries and merging historically independent ecosystems into a more cohesive agricultural system.

View Guest Thad Simon's LinkedIn

Episode 15: International Franchising

featuring Ahmed Al Lawendy

Franchising can help a business successfully enter new markets by leveraging the market knowledge and expertise of the franchise partners. At the same time, compatibility is an important characteristic of long-term franchise success. Join host Gene Cunningham for a special conversation with Ahmed Al Lawendy to hear how Al Jomaih Holdings of Saudi Arabia and U.S.-headquartered Enterprise Holdings created a successful vehicle leasing franchise in Saudi Arabia and expanded into additional markets. 

Ahmed most recently served as the chief operating officer for AJAR (Al Jomaih Auto Rent). He oversaw the operations for AJAR, the Master Franchisee for Enterprise, National, and Alamo vehicle leasing in GCC countries, Jordan, Lebanon and Austria. 

View Guest Ahmed Al Lawendy's LinkedIn

Episode 14: Meds & Food for Kids: International Social Enterprise Perspectives

featuring Patricia Wolff, M.D., and Chris Greene

Join Boeing Institute of International Business Advisory Board member Todd Hovermale as he leads a discussion with Patricia Wolff and Chris Greene from Meds & Food for Kids, a nonprofit organization based in Haiti. This episode dives into the background and operations of this inspirational and important work of this organization. To learn more or to donate to MFK, please visit their website. 

Wolff is the founder and executive director of Meds & Food for Kids, an organization with four main activities: Haitian production of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs) for treatment of malnourishment in children and pregnant women; treatment of malnourished children and supplementation of pregnant women; an agricultural program that helps Haitian farmers grow low-aflatoxin peanuts with higher yields, which are then purchased and used for RUTFs; development of a nutritious school snack and evaluation of the efficacy and acceptability of the snack among impoverished school children. Wolff also studies the prevention of malnutrition in at-risk babies in the urban slums of Haiti.

Chris Greene serves as CEO of Meds & Food for Kids. He started his career managing an entrepreneurial beverage distribution business, overseeing a staff of 20 with over 100 accounts. He joined Meds & Food for Kids based in Haiti in 2015 and ran the manufacturing and distribution operations for five years. Chris then established a consulting business based in Georgia. Meds & Food for Kids recruited him back as CEO in June 2022.

Guest Patricia Wolff's LinkedIn
Guest Chris Greene's LinkedIn

Episode 13: Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency, Part Two

featuring Brian Dixon

Join SLU's Chaifetz School of Business professors Naresh Bansal, Ph.D., and Norman Guo, Ph.D., as they discuss the world of bitcoin with industry expert Brian Dixon. In part two of this two-part series, Brian takes a deeper dive into the intricacies of bitcoin and its role in international business operations.

Guest Brian Dixon is president of Off the Chain Capital, and has developed a robust background in technology, digital assets and investment. He has written three books covering bitcoin, blockchain and other advanced technologies and a fourth lifestyle book covering intuition, manifestation, diet, exercise and the power of consciousness. His expertise and knowledge in the tech space have afforded him over 70 features in publications such as Forbes, Inc., TechCrunch, Entrepreneur, Blockworks and many more. 

Naresh Bansal is a professor of finance and Finance Department chair at Saint Louis University's Chaifetz School of Business. Norman Guo, an assistant finance professor at the Chaifetz School of Business, will be debuting a class in Spring 2023 featuring the latest topics on cryptocurrency and blockchain applications in business. 

Guest Brian Dixon's LinkedIn
Co-host Naresh Bansal's LinkedIn
Co-host Norman Guo's LinkedIn

Episode 12: Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Basics, Part One

featuring Brian Dixon

Join Chaifetz School of Business professors Naresh Bansal, Ph.D., and Norman Guo, Ph.D., as they discuss the world of bitcoin with industry expert Brian Dixon. In part one of this two-part series, Brian helps listeners learn about bitcoin and cryptocurrency in an easy and efficient way. This episode sets the stage for part two of this episode series (to be released in October 2022), where we take a deeper dive into bitcoin and its role in corporations and international business operations.

Guest Brian Dixon is president of Off the Chain Capital, and has developed a robust background in technology, digital assets, and investment. He has written three books covering bitcoin, blockchain and other advanced technologies and a fourth lifestyle book covering intuition, manifestation, diet, exercise and the power of consciousness. His expertise and knowledge in the tech space have afforded him over 70 features in publications such as Forbes, Inc., TechCrunch, Entrepreneur, Blockworks and many more. 

Naresh Bansal, Ph.D., is a professor of finance and Finance Department chair at Saint Louis University's Chaifetz School of Business. Norman Guo, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of finance at the Chaifetz School of Business and will be debuting a class in Spring 2023 featuring the latest topics on cryptocurrency and blockchain applications in business. 

Guest Brian Dixon's LinkedIn
Co-host Naresh Bansal's LinkedIn
Co-host Norman Guo's LinkedIn

Episode 11: Benson Hill: A Recent IPO Grows Internationally

featuring Andres Martin

Join host Jeff Klopfenstein and his guest Andres Martin as they delve into how a recent IPO, Benson Hill, is growing internationally. Andres is the executive vice president and general manager, international, for Benson Hill.

Benson Hill is a food-technology company focused on setting the pace of innovation of food. Benson Hill unlocks the natural genetic diversity of plants using CropOS®, its leading food technology platform. With the consumer in mind, the company uniquely combines data science, plant science and food science along with advanced plant-breeding techniques to create innovative food, ingredient and feed products that are more nutritious, better tasting, more accessible and more sustainable. Benson Hill went public in September 2021 on the New York Stock Exchange ($BHIL).

Andres Martin is responsible for expanding Benson Hill’s international customer base and introducing its proprietary, non-GMO soybean portfolio to markets outside the United States.

Guest Andres Martin's LinkedIn

Special thanks to Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated for sponsoring this episode.

Episode 10: Blockchain and Modern Supply Chains

featuring Larry Wigger

Join host Jeff Klopfenstein and guest Larry Wigger as they dive into blockchain and its implications for the modern supply chain. Larry is a supply-chain economist with over 20 years of both practical and academic experience. He currently serves as an assistant teaching professor of supply chain management at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Guest Larry Wigger's LinkedIn

Special thanks to Nidec Motor Corporation for sponsoring this episode.

Episode 9: Leading During Chaotic Times

featuring A.C. Marchionne

The international business landscape has been disrupted by COVID-19 for nearly two years, and now a war in Europe is creating chaos. Join Host Todd Hovermale as he discusses strategies for leading during chaotic times with A.C. Marchionne, president of sales and marketing/board chairman at Greiner Bio-One North America. 
 
The international business disruptions experienced by Greiner have created a need to develop stronger leaders. Together, Todd and A.C. engage in a discussion on the need for strong international business leadership and the skills necessary to motivate and lead teams to success during highly chaotic times.    

Guest A.C. Marchionne's LinkedIn

Host Todd Hovermale's LinkedIn

Special thanks to Greiner Bio-One for sponsoring this episode. 

Episode 8: International Business Strategies: KPMG 

featuring Andries Terblanché

Join host Jeff Klopfenstein and guest Andries Terblanché, M.Sc., M.S., global lead of dynamic risk assessment with KPMG, as they discuss risk assessment in the global market.  Terblanché goes beyond theory and provides action items from his experience as it concerns global business managers.

Guest Andries Terblanché's LinkedIn
Host Jeff Klopfenstein's LinkedIn

Special thanks to Nidec Motor Corporation for sponsoring this episode. 

Episode 7: Responding to Global Crisis

featuring Christine Duffy

Join host Gene Cunningham and guest Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, as they discuss how Carnival is overcoming the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the creation of opportunities to propel the company safely into the future. This conversation is an excerpt from the 2021 Bayer International Business Conference that took place Dec. 7, 2021 at Saint Louis University.

Christine captains a company that sails a fleet of 24 ships, annually hosts nearly six million guests and employs more than 43,000 people who hail from 110 nations around the globe. Host Gene Cunningham is a faculty member in the Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University and a retired aerospace executive with a 41-year career in international business, strategy and operations.

Special thanks to Bayer for sponsoring this episode.

Episode 6: International Business Strategies: Enterprise Holdings

featuring Peter Smith

Join host Gene Cunningham and guest Peter Smith, VP of global franchising at Enterprise Holdings, as they dive into the strategy and decision processes used by Enterprise as it expanded from its very successful domestic rental car market to the global marketplace. Peter shares his thoughts on the opportunities and challenges Enterprise faced as it expanded internationally. Of particular interest is the “franchising strategy” Enterprise embraced for international growth.

Peter oversees the company's worldwide franchise operations and expansion efforts and has been with Enterprise since 2004. Host Gene Cunningham is a faculty member in the Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University and a retired aerospace executive with a 41-year career in international business, strategy and operations.

Host Gene Cunningham's LinkedIn

Special thanks to Greiner Bio-One for sponsoring this episode.

Episode 5: Sustainability Efforts at Boeing

featuring Chris Raymond

As businesses worldwide increasingly focus on reducing their own environmental impact, it is important to examine how industries are evolving to embrace more sustainable practices. Guest host Todd Hovermale sits down with Chris Raymond, chief sustainability officer and VP of global enterprise sustainability at Boeing, to educate listeners on sustainability efforts aligned to the enterprise's strategic objectives and values. 

As Boeing’s first chief sustainability officer, Raymond is responsible for further advancing Boeing’s approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities, stakeholder-oriented engagement, reporting and company performance. Guest host Todd Hovermale serves on the Boeing Institute of International Business Advisory Board in the Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University. 
 
Learn more about Chris Raymond 

Special thanks to Reinsurance Group of America (RGA) for sponsoring this episode. 

Episode 4: Sustainability Efforts in Global Business

featuring Carol O'Neill

As businesses worldwide increasingly focus on reducing their own environmental impact, it is important to examine how industries are evolving to embrace more sustainable practices. In episode 4 of SLU International Business Now, guest host Jennifer Mackey, Ph.D., sits down with Carol O'Neill, group president of packaging for Barry-Wehmiller, to discuss efforts in global consumer packaging.

As group president of packaging, Carol O'Neill leads efforts to enhance the alignment and capabilities of the five divisions within the BW Packaging Systems Platform. Guest host Jennifer Mackey serves as director of sustainability solutions at Bunzl Distribution USA and brings her strong background in the plastics industry as a marketing and sustainability professional to the episode.

Guest Carol O'Neill's LinkedIn
Host Jennifer Mackey's LinkedIn

Special thanks to Bunzl for sponsoring this episode. 

Episode 3: Navigating COVID Business Challenges: Maritz Global Events

featuring David Packinpaugh

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to examine how industries are evolving and changing to ensure a bright future despite current challenges. Join host Gene Cunningham as he sits down with David Peckinpaugh to discuss the economic impact of the pandemic in the global events industry, and how Maritz is weathering the storm. 

A 30+ year champion of the events industry, David Peckinpaugh is president of Maritz Global Events and ensures the consistent design and delivery of exceptional experiences to clients and their guests. David joins host Gene Cunningham, faculty member in the Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University and retired aerospace executive with a 41-year career in international business, strategy and operations.

Guest David Peckinpaugh's LinkedIn 
Host Gene Cunningham's LinkedIn

Special thanks to Novus International for sponsoring this episode.

Episode 2: Navigating COVID Business Challenges: Novus International

featuring Dave Dowell, Ph.D.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a myriad of challenges to navigate in business environments. Join guest host Patricio Duran, Ph.D., as he sits down with Dave Dowell, Ph.D., to discuss how Novus International has addressed customer and employee health concerns while tackling the pandemic's ripple effect on sales, manufacturing and supply chains. Life scientist and strategist Dowell is chief operating officer and executive vice president of operations at Novus International, and within these roles has global responsibility for manufacturing, logistics, procurement, and regulatory affairs.

Duran, assistant professor of international business in the Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University with research specialties in global strategy and international business environment.

Dave Dowell's LinkedIn

Patricio Duran's LinkedIn

Special thanks to Enterprise Holdings, Inc. for sponsoring this episode.

Episode 1: EU Business Now

featuring Gabriele Suder, Ph.D.

Current business opportunities and challenges in the EU marketplace pose interesting and diverse topics for discussion. In this episode, guest host and BIIB Advisory Board member Gene Cunningham sits down with Gabriele Suder, Ph.D., to break down key elements at play: Brexit, the Green Deal, Asian market integration in Europe and the role of senior executives in the EU marketplace.

Suder is an international business management and strategy expert who serves as a professor of international business at RMIT University in Melbourne and member of the EU Centre of Excellence, in addition to being an award-winning business and scholarly publication author. 

Cunningham serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Executive Master of International Business program at Saint Louis University and is a retired aerospace executive with a 41-year career in international business, strategy and operations. 

Prof. Gabriele Suder's LinkedIn
Host Gene Cunningham's LinkedIn

Special thanks to Bayer for sponsoring this episode.