Global Economic Outlook: Trends and Forecasts Shaping Business Strategy

Schedule

5:30 – 6:10        Registration and networking
6:10 – 6:25        Opening remarks
6:25 – 7:25        Panel discussion
7:25 – 8:00        Closing remarks and networking

Overview  

PDA Atlanta welcomes Dr. Rajeev Dhawan, Carl R. Zwerner Chair of Economic Forecasting at Georgia State University - J. Mack Robinson College of Business. A sought-after economic expert featured in The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, USA Today, The Washington Post, and major wire services like Reuters and Dow Jones, contributes to leading surveys such as Blue-Chip Economic Indicators and the Federal Reserve Bank’s Professional Forecaster’s Survey.

He will share a forward-looking perspective on key economic trends affecting businesses, including inflation, employment, interest rates, taxation, and international trade. His insights will help board members navigate economic shifts and identify opportunities in today’s evolving market landscape.

This program is open to current members and guests who are private company board members, PE and VC investors, family office executives and other C- Suite lifetime learners.

We thank our generous sponsor Eric Krucke CFO Practice Leader, Advisory Director, Aprio. 

5:30-7:30, Aprio LLP, 2002 Summit Blvd, Unit 120, Atlanta, GA 30319

Registration

$20 Member Registration Fee
$75 Non-Member Registration Fee

Parking & Other Info

Parking is complimentary for guests. If visitor parking is full on the top level, please utilize the Lake Hearn parking garage entrance (Building 2002) and take the elevator to the lobby level to access the building. The parking garage can be accessed from the back of the building at Lake Hearn Dr. NE. The parking garage is free parking. After parking, head to the parking garage elevators, and proceed to the main lobby.

Once you enter the lobby, there will be an Aprio staff member to check you in and escort you to the 18 th floor.

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Thank you to our Chapter Sponsors!

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Thank you to our Event Sponsors!

Speakers

Recognized for his forecasting accuracy, Dhawan has received several national awards, including Bloomberg News’ Most Accurate GDP Forecast and the Bank One Economic Outlook Center’s top forecaster for U.S. employment. He frequently briefs corporate boards and advises major organizations such as Coca-Cola, Georgia Power, Morgan Keegan, and Turner Broadcasting.

A sought-after expert, Dhawan is regularly featured in top publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, USA Today, The Washington Post, and major wire services like Reuters and Dow Jones. He contributes forecasts to leading economic surveys, including Blue Chip Economic Indicators and the Federal Reserve Bank’s Professional Forecaster’s Survey.

Professor Rajeev Dhawan holds the Zwerner Chair of Economic Forecasting and serves as Director of the Economic Forecasting Center at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University. He chairs the advisory committee for regional growth for the Atlanta Regional Commission and is a member of the Georgia Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors.

Moderator

Kevin Wilson is a Market Investment Director within Bank of America Private Bank in Atlanta, Georgia. In his role he manages a team of Portfolio Managers and advises high-net-worth individuals on effective investment management strategies best suited for reaching their long-term financial goals. Kevin joined Bank of America Private Bank (formerly U.S. Trust) in 2003 as an Institutional Portfolio Strategist. Kevin has over 20 years of financial services industry experience.Prior to joining Bank of America Private Bank, Kevin spent 3 years as Performance Analyst at Gofen & Glossberg, where he was responsible for the research and resolution of performance variations between client accounts and their respective asset benchmarks. Additionally, Kevin spent two years working for Ibbotson Associates (acquired by Morningstar Inc.) as a consultant, where, among his other duties, he also served as one of the co-authors for two editions of Morningstar's "Financial Year in Review in the Stocks, Bonds, Bills and Inflation Yearbook". Kevin studied finance at Loyola University of Chicago, where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He also completed the Executive Program for Financial Planning Certification offered by the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business.

Additional Guests

Valerie leads the global people function to achieve Habitat for Humanity International’s strategic plan and implement its transformation initiatives. She supports HFHI staff and the work of 1000+ U.S. Habitat affiliates and ~70 Habitat-affiliated country organizations in the $2.3B global Habitat network. 

Since 2018, she has built and implemented HFHI’s people strategy, leading quarterly international board of directors’ governance committee dialogues on aligning human resources strategy with business strategy. These have included: culture, values, talent management, succession planning, transformational change, organization design, globalization, employee engagement, retention, total rewards, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She reviews quarterly people progress metrics and co-facilitates the board’s governance committee.

Valerie is a seasoned global transformation leader with over 30 years’ experience in designing and implementing transformational change in large, complex global organizations across several industries, including technology, consulting, communications, financial services, biopharmaceutical, and non-profits. Her change leadership has included merger/acquisition integration, re-branding, technology implementation, globalization, culture, values, organization design/restructuring, HR transformation, and governance.

Prior to joining Habitat, Valerie held global senior leadership roles in talent management, leadership and organization development for Fortune 100 and mid-sized companies, including BellSouth (AT&T), ING, Merck, New York Life, Broadridge Financial Solutions, and QBE Insurance, aligning organizational strategy with business strategy. At IBM, Valerie held line leadership roles in sales, marketing, finance, strategic planning, and consulting. She built and led three IBM business transformation consulting practices, specializing in the human aspects of organizational change, and led over a dozen transformation projects for major corporations.

Over the past two decades, Valerie has been an active board member for two arts organizations (American Repertory Ballet and Rosie’s Theater Kids), and two professional associations (HR People & Strategy and HR Leadership Forum). She has held officer and committee leadership roles and provided HR and strategic transformational change advice in her board work.

Valerie is a frequent public speaker on talent management, diversity, engagement, communication, and organizational change topics, including recent sessions at NYU and Vanderbilt business programs. She holds her MBA in International Business and has lived and/or worked in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. She speaks French and some Spanish, loves travel, and enjoys musical theatre and cabaret singing. Valerie lives in Atlanta and visits New York often.

Marva Bailer is a dynamic, purpose-driven board member and senior executive known for leading transformational change with adaptability, energy, and a customer-centric approach. With over 30 years of experience driving revenue and driving change for clients at companies like IBM, Amazon, Twilio, and Splunk, she has excelled in fast-paced, growth-oriented environments across sales, strategic partnerships, marketing, customer success, enterprise, and public sector. Marva has led billion-dollar P&Ls and managed teams of 400+ across unicorn tech companies and high-growth startups.

A recognized authority in AI, Marva was part of the launch team for IBM Watson, applying AI in practical business scenarios to drive growth and innovation. She is also a sought-after TEDx speaker on AI and Accessibility, an award-winning author, and a distinguished contributor to major media outlets like Fox News, NBC, and TMZ, where she shares insights on technology, cybersecurity, data privacy, and AI’s impact on the future of work. Marva specializes in innovative go-to-market strategies and building high-growth, data-driven organizations while fostering exceptional cultures. Her extensive expertise in M&A, totaling over $20B, covers due diligence and successful integration. Recognized as a 2023 Game Changer by Scarlett Abott, she disrupts the status quo and ignites innovation across diverse business landscapes.

Marva holds a BA from the University of Maryland and an MS from Johns Hopkins University, with recent Executive Education at Harvard University focusing on Business, Competing in the Age of AI. She is a graduate and active alumna of Leadership Atlanta and engages in continued leadership, mindset, and board education through memberships in Athena Alliance, OnBoard, Him for Her, and the Private Board Directors Association. Private Directors Association Board Governance Certified, Athena and OnBoard Advocate, PDA Programs Committee Co-Chair.

Executive Host

Eric Krucke, Advisory Director at Aprio, advises business owners seeking to scale farther & faster.  He has more than 25 years of leadership and M&A experience, including 15+ acquisitions & a sale to Berkshire Hathaway.   

In addition to his work with clients, Eric is also a sought-after public speaker and regularly shares his expertise with audiences across the nation.  Speaking topics include:  Scaling Farther & Faster with Founder Friendly Capital, Preparing Your Business For Exit, Growing through Acquisitions, and Building Finance Teams that Drive & Enable Growth.

Eric believes that the strong governance and strategic guidance from a board of directors can be transformative for any private business. Even an advisory board can provide invaluable perspectives that drive growth and sustainability.

Eric received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University where he is currently a guest lecturer in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship.  He is also the co-chair of the upcoming FSU Founder Friendly Capital Conference being held in South Florida, February 17 & 18th.

 When Eric is not out and about with people, he loves spending time with his family. He enjoys bass fishing and relaxing on the Florida Panhandle beaches.

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