A World Bigger Than Finance
Malcolm Gladwell headlines the 16th annual Finance Conference
The 17th Annual Finance Conference
Leading figures in global security, technology, and monetary policy were highlighted at the annual Boston College Finance Conference on May 3, 2024. Among the speakers were former U.S. Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, Artificial Intelligence researcher and innovator Anima Anandkumar, former Boston Federal Reserve President Eric Rosengren, Kraft Group President Jonathan Kraft, and New York Giants President and CEO John Mara.
The Finance Conference brings together academic researchers, policy makers, and leaders in financial services, who engage with alumni and other conference participants on urgent issues affecting the industry. The daylong conference is entirely in-person and free of charge.
Keynote Speakers
General James N. Mattis
During his 44 years in the Marines, General James N. Mattis rose from an 18-year-old reservist to the highest rank of four-star general. He capped off his military career as head of the U.S. Central Command, where he was in charge of all American forces serving in the Middle East and oversaw operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as parts of Syria, Iran, and Yemen. He retired from the post in 2013. Four years later, in 2017, he answered the call to serve again, as U.S. Secretary of Defense—the first member of President Donald Trump’s cabinet cleared to take office. He served as Defense Secretary for two years before resigning with distinction.
Anima Anandkumar
Anima Anandkumar is a leading academic researcher with equally deep experience in business and practical applications. She specializes in using AI in cloud computing to solve real-world problems. Anandkumar is a 2023 Guggenheim Fellow in computer science, former Senior Director of AI Research at NVIDIA, and a Bren professor at Caltech. She formerly served as Principal Scientist at Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Eric Rosengren
Eric Rosengren is a 35-year veteran of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, serving the last 14 of those years as President and CEO. He served on the Fed’s Open Market Committee during some of the most turbulent periods in the past 50 years, leading the Boston Federal Reserve Bank through the Great Financial Crisis and the pandemic. Rosengren’s deep understanding of financial markets and financial institutions enabled him to play a central role in designing and operating emergency facilities to bolster the national economy.
Jonathan Kraft P ’24
The Kraft Group is a holding company comprised of companies in sports and entertainment, paper and packaging, real estate, and private equity investing. As President, Jonathan Kraft P ’24 oversees the day-to-day operations of all the Group’s companies, including the New England Patriots, New England Revolution, Gillette Stadium, and Patriot Place, while maintaining a focus on driving the growth and diversification of the Group. A graduate of Williams College, Kraft earned his MBA from Harvard Business School.
John K. Mara ’76, P ’03, ’05, ’08, ’12
John K. Mara ’76, P ’03, ’05, ’08, ’12 is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the New York Giants. Now in his 33rd season with the team, Mara is one of the NFL’s most prominent and respected owners. Mara was at the forefront of planning and negotiations for MetLife Stadium, where the Giants have now been playing for 13 seasons. He is also the chairman of the league’s Management Council Executive Committee, and serves on several other NFL committees.
The Schedule
Thursday, May 2
Cocktail Reception
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Gasson Hall 100, Chestnut Hill, MA
Friday, May 3
Conference: Morning program
7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Boston College, Robert J. Murray ’62 and Family Function Room, 4th Floor, Yawkey Athletics Center, Chestnut Hill, MA
| 7:30 a.m | Continental Breakfast for All Attendees |
| 8:30 a.m | Welcoming Remarks Andy Boynton ’78, P ’13, John and Linda Powers Family Dean, Carroll School of Management, Boston College |
| 8:45 a.m | THE DOROTHY MARGARET ROSE KNIGHT KEYNOTE DISCUSSION General James N. Mattis, Former United States Secretary of Defense, retired four-star general, and 44-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Moderator: Daniel E. Holland III ’79, P ’07, ’08, Chief Operating Officer, Shield Capital |
| 9:45 a.m | Coffee Break |
| 10:00 a.m | ECONOMIC OVERVIEW Eric Rosengren, President and CEO, Federal Reserve of Boston (2007 - 2021) |
| 11:00 a.m | Coffee Break |
| 11:30 a.m | THE “BIG” BUSINESS OF THE NFL Jonathan Kraft, P ’24, President of the Kraft Group and the New England Patriots John K. Mara ’76, P ’03, ’05, ’08, ’12, President, CEO, and co-owner of the New York Giants Moderator: Andy Boynton ’78, P ’13, John and Linda Powers Family Dean, Carroll School of Management |
Conference: Afternoon program
12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Boston College, Robert J. Murray ’62 and Family Function Room, 4th Floor, Yawkey Athletics Center, Chestnut Hill, MA
| 12:30 p.m | Lunch |
| 1:30 p.m | THE AI REVOLUTION: FROM DIGITAL TO PHYSICAL Anima Anandkumar, 2023 Guggenheim Fellow in computer science, former Senior Director of AI Research NVIDIA, and a Bren Professor at the California Institute of Technology Moderator: Paul M. Romer, Seidner University Professor and founding director of the Center for the Economics of Ideas in the Carroll School of Management; recipient of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Economics |
| 2:30 p.m | Closing Remarks Andy Boynton ’78, P ’13, John and Linda Powers Family Dean, Carroll School of Management, Boston College |
| 2:45 p.m | Cocktail Reception and Networking |
| 4:30 p.m | Program Ends |
Finance Conference Co-Chairs
Marc Seidner ’88, P ’24
Chief Investment Officer, Non-traditional Strategies
PIMCO
Daniel E. Holland III ’79, P ’07, ’08
Chief Operating Officer
Shield Capital
Jonathan Reuter
Associate Professor of Finance
Carroll School of Management
Boston College
Andy Boynton ’78, P ’13
John and Linda Powers Family Dean
Carroll School of Management
Boston College
