Global Management Speaker Series

Supply-chain management is entering a new era. Historically the focus of supply-chain managers has been sourcing. However, shocks caused by the pandemic, a new urgency in managing greenhouse gas emissions, geopolitics, plus the wars in the Ukraine and Middle East have put the fragility of global supply chains top of mind. The new focus on resilience and sustainability is going to present managers with fresh choices and challenges as they reorient their production footprints to ones that will be more flexible and more regional.

The UCLA Anderson Center for Global Management  hosted the second event of the academic year in its Global Management Speaker Series, supported by the Class of 2022. Global supply chain and sourcing experts Kevin Lee (’22) and Rodney Moreh (’23), graduates of UCLA Anderson’s executive MBA program, discussed their own supply chain and sourcing strategies and explored these issues in a thoughtful and interactive discussion with UCLA Anderson’s Professor Chris Tang, faculty director of the Center for Global Management, a foremost scholar of global supply chain management. Kevin Lee (’22) is co-founder and chief operating officer of Hoolie Golf, a golf apparel company that manufactures, sources and distributes golf polos and golf hats globally, who also serves as chief executive officer of APEX International, a global supply chain management company. Rodney Moreh (’23) is founder and chief executive officer of sourceM, a full-service product sourcing agency that leverages its supply chain expertise to develop and produce custom consumer goods and packaging on behalf of clients.

As the U.S. strives to reduce its dependence on China by de-risking its supply chains, many U.S. firms are shifting operations away from China to friend-shoring countries such as India, Thailand and Vietnam. At the same time, many U.S. companies are also increasing their sourcing volume from near-shoring countries such as Mexico and Canada to take advantage of the USMCA free-trade agreement. While friend-shoring or near-shoring can improve supply chain resilience, it is not risk-free. U.S. firms need to manage market, operational and reputational risks, and devise strategies to identify, evaluate, mitigate, and respond to the various types of supply chain risks that may arise from this de-risking process.   Lee and Moreh addressed the challenges and opportunities of derisking from China, the USMCA impact, the potential of India and Vietnam, reshoring considerations and future trends, and answered questions around these topics from the in-person audience if UCLA Anderson alumni and students. The CGM welcomed many members of the Classes of 2022 and 2023 back to their alma mater for the evening of discussion, networking and reconnecting. Current students from across all Anderson’s MBA and Ph.D. programs attended the evening that began with a networking reception and concluded with a networking dinner. The discussion was also broadcast live and attended by many UCLA Anderson alumni, current students and members of the broader UCLA and general communities.

The Global Management Speaker Series, supported by the Class of 2022, engages thought leaders and the audience in timely conversations around global issues, opportunities and challenges. Through interactive and balanced dialogue, the series provides students and alumni with global perspectives and insights on important topics, and prepares them to become successful leaders who can operate in a global context and thrive in increasingly dynamic and diverse organizations. The series was inspired by the resiliency of Anderson students who rose to the challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic and propelled communities and industries forward during the global shut down. 

The UCLA Anderson Center for Global Management (CGM) hosted its inaugural event of the new academic year in its Global Management Speaker Series.  Philanthropist Julia Gouw retired president and chief operating officer of California-based East West Bank, joined UCLA Anderson’s Professor Chris Tang, faculty director of the Center for Global Management for moderated discussion. Born and raised in Indonesia, Gouw came to the U.S. in 1978 and later became one of the most preeminent women in a leadership position and a sought-after board member in the U.S. During the evening, Gouw shared her own journey and career trajectory, addressed the evolution of the Asian population in the U.S. and explained what has, and has not, changed over the last 35 years for women of Asian descent. Gouw also discussed the opportunities that were presented and the hurdles she overcame to break the glass ceiling, as well as the key strategies that enabled her career accomplishments and philanthropic work.

The CGM welcomed many members of the Class of 2022 back to their alma mater for an evening of discussion, networking and reconnecting. Current students from across all Anderson’s MBA, MSBA, MFE and Ph.D. programs attended the evening that began with a networking reception and concluded with a networking dinner. The discussion was also broadcast live and attended by many UCLA Anderson alumni, current students and members of the broader UCLA and general communities. The Global Management Speaker Series, supported by the Class of 2022, engages thought leaders and the audience in timely conversations around global issues, opportunities and challenges. Through interactive and balanced dialogue,  the series provides students and alumni with global perspectives and insights on important topics, and prepares them to become successful leaders who can operate in a global context and thrive in increasingly dynamic and diverse organizations. The series was inspired by the resiliency of Anderson students who rose to the challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic and propelled communities and industries forward during the global shut down.

The Center for Global Management (CGM) hosted the second discussion of the academic year in its Global Management Speaker Series, supported by the Class of 2022.  Steve Totzke, president and chief commercial officer, Mattel, Inc. joined CGM faculty director, Chris Tang, distinguished professor and Edward W. Carter Chair in Business Administration for a fascinating moderated conversation. Totzke shared his thoughts on a variety of important global issues and trends, from physical toys to digital toys, from environmental to nearshoring, from selling to sourcing, and from product development to licensing. He discussed how he runs the Mattel global commercial organization in the midst of complex and changing economic, political and cultural environments in the United States and globally, and talked about some of the latest strategies in digital design and development, e-commerce, global product development, global supply chains, and leveraging IP in the digital world. He also addressed how he manages complex issues to drive global competitive advantage and shareholder value for the global toy company, with one of the strongest catalogues of children and family entertainment franchises in the world.

The CGM welcomed many members of the Class of 2022 back to their alma mater for an evening of discussion, networking and reconnecting. Current students from across all four MBA programs attended the evening that began with a networking reception and concluded with a networking dinner. The discussion was also broadcast live and attended by many UCLA Anderson alumni, current students and members of the broader UCLA and general communities. The Global Management Speaker Series, supported by the Class of 2022, engages thought leaders and the audience in timely conversations around global issues, opportunities and challenges. Through interactive and balanced dialogue,  the series provides students and alumni with global perspectives and insights on important topics, and prepares them to become successful leaders who can operate in a global context. The series was inspired by the resiliency of Anderson students who rose to the challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic and propelled communities and industries forward during the global shut down.

As the global economy was beginning to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia invaded the Ukraine and has been sanctioned from the West; relations between China and the U.S. have been deteriorating; and supply-chain shocks have roiled markets for food, energy and other commodities. Discussions on reshoring are on the minds of many business and political leaders. Is globalization over or is it merely changing shape?

The Center for Global Management (CGM) hosted its inaugural event of the new academic year focused on the question Is Globalization Passé? Global strategy expert Jim Moffatt (’87), former global CEO and vice chairman of Deloitte Consulting joined CGM faculty director, Chris Tang, distinguished professor and Edward W. Carter Chair in Business Administration, and Moffat’s former professor,  in a moderated discussion around the question. Moffatt addressed the major challenges firms face during this unsettling period and explored the implications of both sides of the debate. Is globalization as the world has experienced over the last three decades dead, as Blackrock’s Larry Fink suggested in a letter to shareholders earlier this year? Or, is globalization still alive and simply evolving into a new kind of globalization that is more about security than efficiency that could change the world economy for the better, keeping the benefits of openness while improving resilience?  The conversation focused on many issues, including the future of trade, supply chains, the energy crisis and global investment, and touched on many regions, including Europe, Asia and Latin America. Moffat shared his thoughts on areas with growth potential and how growth can be achieved. He also addressed the importance of a global management education at UCLA Anderson and reiterated how essential it is for organizations and leaders alike to have a global mindset. The conversation was part of the CGM’s World Today Discussion Series and the Global Management Speaker Series, supported by the Class of 2022. The CGM welcomed many members of the Class of 2022 back to their alma mater for an evening of discussion, networking and reconnecting. Current students from across all four MBA programs attended the evening that began with a networking reception and concluded with a networking dinner. The discussion was also broadcast live and attended by many UCLA Anderson alumni, current students and members of the broader UCLA and general communities. The World Today Discussion Series engages the audience in interactive and enriching conversations around current issues that transcend borders. UCLA and Anderson faculty, alumni, board members and thought leaders share their perspectives on the critical global topics and issues that matter to our community and the world. Through balanced discourse, the serves as a neutral forum to educate the community on global issues, while at the same time encouraging debate and examination.