Northwestern Explores -- The Economy: What Happened and What's Next?

Join fellow alumni for an evening of networking and a panel discussion moderated by William F. Thomas Professor, Ellen Shearer, director of the Medill News Service. The panel will discuss long term effects of the latest economic crisis. 

This event is part of a year-long Northwestern Explores NAA program focusing on the economy, career services, and life skills. We are excited to bring this special series to Washington, DC.

Register here by November 2.  Walk-ins will be accepted at the door. 

Event Details

Time
6-7pm -- Check-in and Reception (Holeman Lounge)
7-9pm -- Panel Discussion w/ Q&A (Ballroom)

Cost
$15 -- Members, Current Students, Young Alumni (grad years 1999-2009)
$20 -- Non-Members, Guests 

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Panelists for the evening include:

Sho Chandra (GJ98)
Economics Reporter, Bloomberg News
Chandra joined Bloomberg more than a decade ago, starting on the general assignment desk in Princeton, before covering such beats such as retail companies and consumer goods makers. Her early years as a journalist include stints at Bloomberg in London and at two of the leading business dailies in New Delhi, India. She also worked at the National Institute for Public Finance and Policy in India.

Kim Foerster (KSM98)
Managing Director, Perseus LLC
Foerster focuses on growth equity and buyout investments at Perseus, a merchant bank and private equity fund management company. She is involved in all aspects of the investment process, including identifying opportunities, conducting due diligence and negotiating transactions.  A board member of several portfolio companies, Foerster has also worked in the strategic planning department of PepsiCo, Inc. and in the investment banking division of Goldman, Sachs.

Jodi Schneider (GJ83)
Training Director, Congressional Quarterly, Inc. (through Sept. 2009)
In addition to directing training and development, Schneider was a senior editor for Congressional Quarterly, a news organization with the largest team covering Capitol Hill. She joined CQ six years ago as the deputy economics editor. Schneider previously was an assistant managing editor at U.S. News & World Report and local business editor at The Washington Post.

Ellen Shearer
William F. Thomas Professor, Medill School of Journalism; Director and Bureau Chief, Medill News Service An award-winning journalist, Shearer is also the co-director of Medill's new National Security Journalism initiative. Before joining the Medill faculty, she spent 20 years in the news industry with Newsday, Newhouse News Service, Reuters and United Press International.

Robert Vigfusson (G02)
Economist, Federal Reserve Board, Washington, DC
As an economist, Vigfusson works in the Division of International Finance for the Federal Reserve Board.  He specializes in macroeconomics and econometrics. His primary focus is the price of internationally traded goods, particularly nonfuel primary commodities. Vigfusson's work is widely published.

Panelists are subject to change. Please check back here for updates.  The views expressed by the panelists are their personal opinions, not those of their employers or any organizations they represent. 

This NAA event is co-sponsored by the NU Club of DC, Medill Club of DC, Kellogg Club of DC and Northwestern University Black Alumni Association (NUBAA).

Updated October 21, 2009.