Georgetown Alumni Gather in San Francisco to Explore the Future of Work and Entrepreneurship at John Carroll Weekend

Georgetown alumni and friends recently met in San Francisco, California, for John Carroll Weekend to explore the Bay Area, reconnect with fellow Hoyas, and participate in topical conversations.

Georgetown McDonough hosted two panel discussions featuring signature programs and initiatives within the business school and university. The first panel, “AI, New Technologies, and the Society of the Future,” focused on how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other new technologies are changing companies’ operations and the future of work.

In partnership with the AI, Analytics, and Future of Work Initiative, Alberto Rossi, director of the initiative and professor of finance, moderated a conversation with Tom DuBois (MBA’92), chief product officer at REMIO; Prasad Setty, lecturer at Stanford University Graduate School of Business; and Aditya Sharma (MBA’16), product management at Meta. 

The second panel, “Entrepreneurship for the Common Good,” was led by Georgetown Entrepreneurship Founding Director Jeff Reid and examined the ways entrepreneurs, particularly those from Georgetown, positively impact the world. 

The panel featured Sina Chehrazi (B’13), co-founder and CEO of Nayya Health; Bill Ericson (SFS’82), founding partner of Wildcat Venture Partners; Daniela Fernandez (C’17), founder and CEO of Sustainable Ocean Alliance; and Jane Mosbacher Morris (SFS’08), founder and CEO of TO THE MARKET.

In the annual Georgetown Entrepreneurship Alliance (GEA) Pitch Competition, Hoyapreneurs competed to win an investment prize sponsored by the GEA and the Georgetown Angel Investor Network (GAIN). Shavini Fernando (G’18) won the competition and took home $100,000 for her startup, OxiWear, Inc. 

On Friday, alumna Tajamika Paxton (B’92) held a fireside chat with Ella Washington, professor of the practice in management, to discuss the topic, “Making Real Progress on Equity and Inclusion.” The conversation was hosted by Georgetown University’s Black Alumni Council and the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Affirmative Action.

Paxton and Washington explored how people and companies can embark on the ever-changing journey to create environments where all employees thrive. Washington provided practical insights from her new book, The Necessary Journey: Making Real Progress on Equity and Inclusion, and discussed the essential steps organizations must take toward positive change in their diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.

At the John Carroll Awards Dinner, alumnus Jeff Chapski (B’91) was honored with the John Carroll Award. The John Carroll Award recognizes alumni whose achievements and record of service exemplify the ideals and traditions of Georgetown University and its founder. Chapski embodies the values of Georgetown through his work with startups and his commitment to continuous learning.

Chapski is a strategic advisor and investor in early-stage startups. He is currently a board member of GAIN, a group he co-founded in 2019. He was previously recognized for his volunteer leadership work with the Reed Alumni Award and the William Gaston Alumni Award. 

Georgetown University has announced Dublin, Ireland, as the location for John Carroll Weekend 2024.