The semester kicked off with the CMO of Bose, financial services professionals, music industry executive and Fairfield alumni, and several other influential speakers, all offering invaluable insights to Dolan students.
Throughout the fall 2024 semester, the Dolan School of Business has hosted numerous guest speakers who offered their professional knowledge and career ideas to Dolan students. From marketing and banking to the music business, these events demonstrated Fairfield Dolan's dedication to connecting students with experienced professionals and providing opportunities for meaningful engagement.
On Sept. 9 the Dean's Executive Forum featured Jim Mollica, P’27, Bose Corporation’s first chief marketing officer (CMO) in the company's 60-year history. Mollica spoke on "Using Culture to Modernize an Iconic Brand,” offering insight into Bose's marketing revolution and sharing how the company is using culture to connect more emotionally with consumers while competing in a crowded landscape.
Mollica engaged students as he highlighted Bose’s strategic and creative direction and its connection to consumers across all platforms and touch points. He encouraged students to think beyond traditional marketing, advising them to embrace storytelling to connect with audiences. He discussed his digital transformation and storytelling specializations, drawing on over 25 years of marketing, media, digital commerce, and revenue-generation experience. Students left the forum not only with a deeper understanding of how creative marketing strategies can shape brand perception, but also with Bose swag.
On October 23, the Dolan Career Development Center hosted an Employer-in-Focus event featuring executives from Rockefeller Capital Management. Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Co-Head of the Center for Wealth Solutions, Chuck Burke Jr. '01, led the panel alongside Chief Financial Officer, Alison Schachter, and Senior Vice President, Courtney Chmiol '15.
The executives discussed the firm's rich 140-year history and capacity to adapt to the changing financial services industry and the numerous career options available. They discussed how Rockefeller Capital uses its storied history and new innovations to serve customers in today's changing market climate.
Partner at 300 Entertainment, Rob Stevenson '92 returned to campus to speak with Dolan students about his impressive career in the music industry. A seasoned executive, Stevenson has worked with some of the most recognizable names in music, including The Killers, Katy Perry, and Post Malone. His visit was hosted by Instructor of the Practice, Bill Natlo’s, class, where around 50 students gathered to hear about his experiences navigating the fast-paced world of music.
Stevenson captivated the audience with anecdotes about his career successes and failures, offering invaluable lessons. He urged students to become “cultural anthropologists” in their industries by observing trends advising them to observe, identify inflection points, and be present when the industry corrects itself. “The industry will correct itself—it always does—so show up and be there for the correction,” he shared.
Students found the session inspiring and insightful. “It was inspiring to connect with [Rob Stevensen ‘92] as he had previously gone to Fairfield, and he took the time to thoughtfully answer everyone’s questions. “His advice on putting yourself out there, networking, and always presenting your best self in a professional setting resonated with all of us and left a lasting impression,” Julia Demetropolous ’25 said.
Fairfield Dolan remains committed to offering students access to top-tier individuals in a variety of professions, enabling them to get excited about their futures armed with the knowledge and inspiration they receive from these distinguished professionals.
