SLU International Business Now: Conversations That Matter

This episode is a reissue from February 2023. Join host, Todd Hovermale as he leads a discussion with Dr. Patricia Wolff and Chris Greene from Meds & Foods for Kids, a nonprofit organization based in Haiti. This episode dives into the background and operations of this inspirational and important organization. To learn more or to donate to MFK, please visit https://www.mfkhaiti.org/.  Patricia Wolff, MD Founder and Senior Advisor  Dr. 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. Dr. Wolff also works to study the prevention of malnutrition in at-risk babies in the urban slums of Haiti.Chris Greene CEOChris Green is serving as CEO of Meds & Food for Kids. He started his career in management of 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 5 years. Chris then established a consulting business based in Georgia. Meds & Food for Kids recruited him back as CEO in June of 2022.

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 Dr. Jennifer Mackey 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 Dr. Jennifer Mackey currently 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.Carol O'Neill LinkedInJennifer Mackey LinkedIn

Introduction by Todd HovermaleJoin host Jeff Klopfenstein and guest Chad Merryman, Chief Commercial Officer with Watlow as they discuss the recent growth of the thermal product manufacturer. Approaching 19 years with Watlow, Chief Commercial Officer, Chad 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. Visit Guest Chad Merryman’s LinkedIn

Foreword by Todd HovermaleIntroduction of Arnold by John LydayJoin host Gene Cunningham and guest Arnold Donald, Retired Vice Chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation 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 December 6, 2022, at Saint Louis University.Arnold Donald is former Vice-Chair of Carnival Corporation & PLC, 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 Corporation & PLC is included in both the S&P500 and the FTSE 100 indices and trades on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges.

In October, 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 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 current 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.

featuring Dr. Paul BeamishJoin host Todd Hovermale and guest Dr. Paul Beamish, Professor of International Business at the Ivey Business School and founder of the 39 Country Initiative, as they discuss the case study accessibility, getting the 39 Country Initiative started, and its needs moving forward. Paul Beamish is Professor of International Business at the Ivey Business School, Western University. His 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. There are over 45,000 Google Scholar 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 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 19: Improving Education Accessibility Globally

Join host Gene Cunningham and guest Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Line, as they discuss how Carnival overcame the challenges of the Covid 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. 

Join host Gene Cunningham for a special roundtable conversation with Eric Doherty, Dr. Ted Conklin, and Dr. Joseph Colorafi 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.Dr. 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.Dr. 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 healthcare quality and financial performance.View Guest Eric Doherty’s LinkedInView Guest Dr. Ted Conklin’s LinkedInView Guest Dr. Joseph Colorafi’s LinkedIn

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 Simons LinkedIn

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 seen as an important characteristic for 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 US-headquartered Enterprise Holdings created a successful vehicle leasing franchise in Saudi Arabia and expanded into additional markets.     Ahmed was formerly 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.  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. Ahmed Al Lawendy: LinkedInGene Cunningham: Linkedin

Join Boeing Institute of International Business Advisory Board member Todd Hovermale as he leads a discussion with Dr. Patricia Wolff and Chris Greene from Meds & Foods for Kids, a nonprofit organization based in Haiti. This episode dives into the background and operations of this inspirational and important organization. To learn more or to donate to MFK, please visit https://www.mfkhaiti.org/.Patricia Wolff, MDFounder and Senior Advisor Dr. 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. Dr. Wolff also works to study the prevention of malnutrition in at-risk babies in the urban slums of Haiti.Chris Greene CEOChris Green is serving as CEO of Meds & Food for Kids. He started his career in management of 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 5 years. Chris then established a consulting business based in Georgia. Meds & Food for Kids recruited him back as CEO in June of 2022.*****“What I personally found most interesting on Meds & Foods for Kids was the drivers that motivated Dr. Wolff to create a company in Haiti. They were not the normal MNEs’ objectives of profitability and growth, but more of a social and economic impact on the community in Haiti and the benefits that the products offered to people who are hungry and need food and medicine. Their success is not only coming from having a successful company in regular terms, but on having accomplished some more inspirational and, most likely more difficult to attain, social objectives.” --Alfredo Legorreta, Boeing Institute Advisory Board Member

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. For more information, please visit www.bensonhill.com.

Join host Jeff Klopfenstein and guest Larry Wigger as they dive into blockchain and implications for the modern supply chain.   Larry is a supply chain economist who has both practical experience and academic excellence.Larry Wigger serves University of Missouri Kansas City’s Henry W. Bloch School of Management as Assistant Teaching Professor of Supply Chain and Operations Management. Larry holds a MA in Economics from UMKC, a MS in Supply Chain Management and a general MBA from Elmhurst University, with a BA in Business Administration from William Jewell College. Larry is in the dissertation stage of pursuit of his PhD in Economics, with Co-Discipline in Public Affairs and Administration at UMKC. His dissertation follows multiple active research streams, including blockchain use to substantially improve supply chain visibility, public policy options to counter unemployment due to automation, and modern monetary theory on limits to deficit spending.Larry brought over twenty years of varied management experience when joining Bloch at UMKC as full-time faculty. His expertise includes the full range of Supply Chain Management activities, Strategic Leadership, and Operations, Project, and Program Management. Additionally, Larry has held equity leadership positions in multiple start-ups across the Construction and Project Management industry. These activities have included consultancy and at-risk construction work for major global petroleum, retail, and hospitality clients, support services in the recent fracking boom, and three years of post-earthquake construction projects in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.Special thanks to the Nidec Motor Corporation for sponsoring this episode. Larry Wigger | LinkedIn

Join host Jeff Klopfenstein and guest Dr Andries Terblanché who is the Global Lead of Dynamic Risk Assessment with KPMG’s network of member firms. Risk assessment is a real concern for any global business manager. Dr Terblanché goes beyond theory and provides learnings from his experience.Dr Terblanché joined KPMG in 1994 and has worked in the firm’s practices in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.He advises on systemic risk to clients across industries such as banking and finance, insurance, aviation, energy, retail, motor vehicle and natural resources. Dr Terblanché studied at New York University (Stern Business School), Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Tsinghua University in China, and the universities of Pretoria and Witwaterstrand in South Africa.He is Adjunct Professor of Risk and Actuarial Studies at the University of New South Wales in Australia, and also a guest lecturer at the University of Technology in Sydney.In 2015, he was awarded a prestigious lifetime membership in New York University’s Stern School of Business Beta Gamma Sigma honor society in recognition for his work on Dynamic Risk Assessment. In 2016, he was appointed as Senior Research Fellow to the Institute of Global Finance for his work on Dynamic Risk Assessment, which is the leading global academic institution on systemic risk and the subject of interconnectedness.Special thanks to the Nidec Motor Corporation for sponsoring this episode.Dr. Andries Terblanche | LinkedIn

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 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 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 current 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.Special thanks to Bayer for sponsoring this episode.

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 current 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.Special thanks to Greiner Bio-One for sponsoring this episode. Enterprise HoldingsGreiner AG | Greiner Bio-One

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 on environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities, stakeholder-oriented engagement, reporting, and company performance. Host Todd Hovermale currently serves on the Boeing Institute of International Business Advisory Board in the Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University. Chris Raymond BioSpecial thanks to Reinsurance Group of America (RGA) for sponsoring this episode. Episode Notes and Timestamps:3:55......Pillars of Boeing's sustainability strategy.5:15......Types of skills/attributes needed from people when executing on this sustainability strategy.6:33......Global strategy for a sustainable aerospace future, and the plan for decarbonizing aerospace for future generations.9:00.....Sustainable aviation fuels, comparing and contrasting fuel decisions and technologies.16:50.....Increasing production of sustainable aviation fuels in other regions of the world.19:50.....Leadership/change management regarding sustainability in the corporation as a whole.21:10......Partnering with businesses in the supply chain to ensure goal alignment.25:00......Carbon emission accounting standards.26:30......Balance between sustainability and economic profitability29:10......Leadership, communication, and change management in regards to the topic of sustainability.31:28.....Inspiring the next generation regarding sustainable practices.32:00.....Communicating with different stakeholders and communities.38:00.....Thinking towards the future in terms of sustainability.39:00......Supporting efforts to give back to the broader community and encourage sustainable practices.40:45.....Final Thoughts.

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 Dr. Jennifer Mackey 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 Dr. Jennifer Mackey currently 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.Carol O'Neill LinkedInJennifer Mackey LinkedInSpecial thanks to Bunzl for sponsoring this episode. 

During the Covid 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, current 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.David Peckinpaugh LinkedIn Gene Cunningham LinkedInSpecial thanks to Novus International for sponsoring this episode. 

The Covid pandemic has created a myriad of challenges to navigate in business environments. Join host Dr. Patricio Duran as he sits down with Dr. Dave Dowell 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 Dr. Dave 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. Dr. Dowell joins host Dr. Patricio 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. Dr. Dave DowellDavid Dowell | LinkedInNovus InternationalNovus InternationalDr. Patricio DuranPatricio Duran | LinkedInSpecial thanks to Enterprise Holdings, Inc. for sponsoring this episode.