Global Business Initiative
Georgetown’s Global Business Initiative seeks to distinguish McDonough as the premier destination for global business education by partnering with other schools and companies in Washington, D.C., and around the world.
A Message from GBI Director Ricardo Ernst, Ph.D.
Known around the world for its emphasis on international business, Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business created the Global Business Initiative (GBI) to ensure the school’s global mission is evident throughout all aspects of the student experience. GBI seeks to make Georgetown McDonough the premier destination for global business education by working to expand the school’s touchstone Global Business Experience and form partnerships with schools, organizations, and companies in Washington, D.C., and around the world.
Georgetown’s Global Business Initiative’s work is invigorating — and necessary. I like to tell people that business has no borders. In this age of globalization, it’s crucial that Georgetown McDonough educates future business leaders capable of making complex business decisions in a global environment. The Global Business Initiative exists to make that possible. Thank you for your interest in GBI. I look forward to welcoming you to our robust global business network.
Ricardo Ernst, Ph.D.
Professor of Operations and Baratta Chair in Global Business
Undergraduate Fellows
The Global Business Fellows is an innovative program open to undergraduate students that combines fundamental principles of business with required coursework in international affairs, economics, and languages. The interdisciplinary curriculum enables students to analyze and solve challenges that impact business and public policy on a global scale.
Summits and Speaker Series
The Global Business Initiative brings accomplished business leaders to engage the Georgetown McDonough community in dialogue about the challenges of leading global businesses in specific industries.
Corporate Engagement
Leveraging the reach of our Board and Georgetown’s global network the GBI has worked with Estée Lauder, Cartier and Lamborghini to provide our students transformational educational opportunities.
Embassy Series
The Global Business Initiative aims to strengthen the nexus between international organizations and D.C. embassies and the Georgetown McDonough community. We encourage this collaboration through signature events held in our campus or at the host organization’s venue.
Global Consulting
As a leader in global business education, Georgetown McDonough seeks to provide all students the opportunity to travel abroad to consult either within an industry or with specific Fortune 500 companies. Working in small teams, students partner with executives from multinational organizations to address complex business challenges.
International Treks
Through treks, MBA students travel domestically and internationally to network with alumni, learn about specific industries, support local organizations, and engage with different cultures.
Global Business Advisory Board
The Global Business Initiative has assembled an outstanding team of business professionals from across the world to advise the dean on Georgetown McDonough’s global mission.
Chaired by Maximo J. Blandon (MBA’88), the Global Business Advisory Board leverages resources to improve and expand on the school’s ability to enhance its position as a leader in global business education and research and as a thought leader in the field of global business management.
Global Instagram Stories
Follow us on Instagram to relive some of our featured events.
Partnerships
Effat University is the first private institution of higher education for women in Saudi Arabia. Founded in 1999 by HRH Princess Effat Al Thunayan Al Saud the school is at the forefront of female educational development.
The Georgetown Retail & Luxury Association (GRLA) is a student-run organization that focuses on educating students about the retail and luxury industries as well as increasing opportunities for them within those fields.
Global Alumni Network
All Georgetown University alumni, graduate students, and undergraduate seniors can access Georgetown’s Global Alumni Network, which contains over 20,000 active members worldwide.
GBI News
All GBI News
News Story
A group of Georgetown McDonough undergraduate students recently met with senior executives of Origins, an Estée Lauder brand, as part of the Gen Z Network Initiative in New York. Founded in 2020…
January 12, 2023
GBI News, News Story
Georgetown Convenes Top Cartier Executives to Discuss Trends in the Luxury Goods Market
November 12, 2022
GBI News, News Story
Flex MBA Students Travel Across the Globe for International Consulting Projects
August 19, 2022
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