DBA Symposium & Networking Event

Perspectives on Sustainability and Environmental Impacts in Business

Sponsored by the DBA Alumni Society 

Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Sacred Heart University West Campus – East Theatre 
3135 Easton Tpke, Fairfield, CT 06825

2025 DBA Symposium Program

Agenda

Time Schedule
9 a.m. Opening Remarks
  • David G. Taylor, Ph.D., Dean, Welch College of Business & Technology
  • C. Todd Fagan, President, DBA Alumni Society
9:10 a.m.

Keynote Speaker

  • Erika Karp, “Systems, Themes & Impact” 
10 a.m.

Faculty Presentations 

  • Kathy Dhanda, “Aluminum Smelting in Iceland: Boon or Curse”
  • Mahfuja Malik, “Securing the Future: Governance and Management of Climate Change and Firm Value”
  • Weijia Peng, "Forecasting Volatility of Currencies and Oil with Brown Firms:A Mixed-Frequency Approach" 

 
11:15 a.m.

Keynote Speaker 

  • Marina Severinovsky, “Key Sustainable Investment Trends for 2025 and Beyond” 

 
12:30 p.m.
  • Lunch & Networking, Third Floor, East Building (former GE executive suites)
  • 2025 DBA Student Presentations 
1:30 p.m.

Session II: DBA Alumni Presentations 

  • Yanyan Freitag and Michael Herley, “Economic Policy Uncertainty and Regime-Dependent Deviations from Uncovered Interest Rate Parity” 
  • Franceska Xhafa, “ESG Scores Impact on U.S. Insurance Companies' Financial Performance” 
  • Shuang Wu, “The Impact of Corporate Sustainability Officers on Sustainability Information Disclosure” 
2:30 p.m.

Closing Remarks

  • Lorán Chollete, Ph.D.

Keynote Speakers

Erika Karp, Principal, Investment Stewardship & Sustainability

Erica KarpErika Karp is a finance and capital markets leader with 25+ years of experience in investment advising, wealth management, banking and sustainable investing. As the founder of Cornerstone Capital Group, a $1.3 billion ESG-focused advisory firm later acquired by Pathstone, she has been a pioneer in integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment decision-making. Previously, she was managing director and head of global sector research at UBS. 

A founding board member of SASB and a former member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council, Karp has advised institutions and private clients on long-term, sustainability-driven investments. She is a sought-after speaker, having addressed the U.N. General Assembly, NYSE, OECD and the Vatican on sustainable finance. 

Recognized among Real Leaders’ "100 Women in Impact" (2021) and Worth magazine’s "Groundbreakers 2020," Karp holds an MBA from Columbia University and a bachelor's degree in economics from the Wharton School. 

Marina Severinovsky, Head of Sustainability, North America 

Marina SeverinovskyMarina Severinovsky is the head of sustainability, North America, at Schroders, leading ESG integration and sustainability strategy across investments. She collaborates with senior managers on market strategy, client communications, product development and investor management. 

Since joining Schroders in 2010, Severinovsky has held various leadership roles, including investment director for quantitative equity products, investment strategist and alternatives specialist. Prior to Schroders, she was an associate at Citi Capital Markets and Banking, advising on M&A, equity and debt transactions, and held consulting roles at Digital Mandate and Chicago Partners. 

With 18 years of experience in economic analysis, financial modeling, strategy and client management, Severinovsky brings deep expertise to her role. She is conversationally fluent in Russian and is based in New York. 

2025 Graduating DBA Student Presenters

Erwin Joseph

Erwin Joseph

Rose Lature

Rose Lature

Khamphou Milayome

Khamphou Milayome

Tatiana Rice

Tatiana Rice