The Emerging Markets Institute held the EMI Conference 2024 on October 31 and November 1, 2024, at Tata Center and Bloomberg Center Auditorium, Cornell Tech, New York City, under the theme “Innovation and Transformation to Emerge Stronger“.
In this conference, we delved into the landscape of emerging markets amidst a global economic flux. ‘Innovation and Transformation to Emerge Stronger‘ offers a detailed exploration of how these dynamic economies are harnessing cutting-edge innovations and strategic transformations to redefine their paths to growth. From groundbreaking technological advancements to transformative economic policies, our conference and the EMI report provides a comprehensive analysis of the key drivers propelling emerging markets towards unprecedented resilience and prosperity. This conference is an essential event for investors, policymakers, and industry leaders seeking to understand the future trajectory of global economics and capitalize on the burgeoning opportunities within these economies.
Welcome and Registration at Bloomberg Center’s entrance hall. Breakfast served at Bloomberg Center classrooms 061, 071, 081, 091.
Speaker: Andrew Karolyi, Charles Field Knight Dean of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
Join us for the Opening Ceremony of our summit, where we will set the stage for a remarkable exploration of how innovation, and specifically AI, is driving transformation in emerging markets. This inspiring session will offer a panoramic view of how cutting-edge technology and creative strategies are shaping the future of these dynamic regions. Additionally, we will highlight the conference’s central purpose:
Speakers:
Amb. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in NYC
Praveena Rai, Managing Director & CEO of Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX)
Sameer Sain, MBA ’95, Co-Founder & CEO, Everstone Capital
Jayant Sinha, Former Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance and Former Member of the Indian Parliament
Shoba Viswanathan, VP Development & Civic Engagement, Indiaspora
Moderator: Vishal Gaur, Anne and Elmer Lindseth Dean of the Johnson Graduate School of Management
Description: Discover why India is recognized as a leading emerging market. This panel will delve into India’s extraordinary growth potential, examining the factors that make it a top destination for investment and the exciting opportunities available in this vibrant economy.
Main Talking Points:
Key drivers behind India’s rapid economic expansion and market development.
Prominent sectors in India that offer lucrative investment opportunities.
Challenges faced by investors and strategies to navigate them.
Speakers:
Amb. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in NYC
Moderator: Vishal Gaur, Anne and Elmer Lindseth Dean of the Johnson Graduate School of Management
Address by:
Yumo (President)
George (Vice President of Research)
Ansell (Vice President of External)
Jerry (Director of Public Relations)
Speakers:
Joyce Chang, Chair of Global Research, J.P. Morgan’s Corporate and Investment Bank
Francesco Del Vecchio, BS ’97, Managing Director, Moelis & Company
Drausio Giacomelli, MD, Deutsche Bank Securities
Ana Gomez Chapman, BS ’93, Managing Director, Hamilton Lane
Mark Mobius, Mobius Investments
Wim Vandenhoeck, MBA ’94, Senior Portfolio Manager, Invesco US
Description: Explore how financial investments are crucial to driving growth in emerging markets. This panel will examine the impact of various investment strategies, including those focused on sustainability, and their role in fostering economic development and stability.
Main Talking Points:
The influence of financial investments on the development and growth of emerging markets.
The importance of sustainable investment practices in these regions.
How international financial institutions contribute to supporting these markets.
Speaker: Justin Brannan, New York City Councilman, Chair of the Committee on Finance
Coffee-Break served at Bloomberg Center classrooms 061, 071, 081, 091.
Musical Interlude: Violin Duets with Anjali and Meili Gupta
Meili Gupta is a Master of Engineering in Computer Science student at Cornell Tech. She hopes to work as a Machine Learning Engineer post-graduation.
Anjali, her twin sister, is a first-year PhD in Computer Science at NYU. They previously studied Computer Science at Yale University. They hail from Bethesda, Maryland, where they grew up playing the violin, including the occasional duet.
Speaker: Haitham Khoury, Director of Fellowships and Global Initiatives at MIT’s Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship
Speakers:
Lourdes Casanova, Gail and Roberto Cañizares Director of the EMI, Cornell S.C. Johnson College of Business, USA
Momina Aijazuddin, Regional Financial Sector Industry Head – MCT International Finance Corporation, USA
Anne Miroux, Faculty Fellow at Emerging Markets Institute, S.C. Johnson College of Business, USA
Lorenzo Pavone, Deputy Head – Networks, Partnerships and Gender Division, OECD, France
Description: Be the first to hear about the latest insights from the 2024 Emerging Markets Institute (EMI) Report, presented by experts from the OECD and IFC. This session will provide an exclusive preview of the report’s findings, offering valuable perspectives on trends, challenges, and opportunities in emerging markets.
Main Talking Points:
Key insights and findings from the 2024 EMI Report.
Emerging trends and future projections for emerging markets.
Recommendations for policymakers and investors based on the report’s analysis.
Lunch served at Bloomberg Center classrooms 061, 071, 081, 091.
Presenters:
Iris Fernanda Arguedas Salgado, MBA ’25 (Case Competition)
Niyonika Chhabra, Cornell Tech MBA ’25 (Case Competition)
Osagie Oigiagbe, MBA ’25 (Pitch Competition)
Carlos Eduardo Bernos Amoros, MBA ’25 (Pitch Competition)
Description: Celebrate the outstanding achievements of the winners from our case and pitch competitions. This panel will highlight innovative business ideas and solutions focused on emerging markets, showcasing the talent and creativity driving future growth.
Main Talking Points:
Presentation of the winning business ideas and solutions from the competitions.
The potential impact of these innovations on emerging markets.
The selection process and criteria for the competition winners.
Speakers:
James Codella, BS’ 07, M. Eng ’08, Principal Product Manager, Microsoft
Alvaro Rodriguez Arregui, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, IGNIA
Description: Discover how artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies are transforming industries in emerging markets. This panel will explore the revolutionary impact of AI, its diverse applications, and the challenges associated with integrating these technologies into emerging economies.
Main Talking Points:
The role of AI in driving technological advancements and efficiency in emerging markets.
Successful case studies of AI applications and their impact.
Challenges and opportunities related to technology adoption in these regions.
Speakers:
Francisco Campos Ortiz, Chief LatAm Economist at Deutsche Bank
Lance Deng, Senior Advisor at the US-China Green Institute (USCGI)
C. Gökhan Doran, Division Vice President and General Manager, Corning International
Brad Stilwell, MBA’97, Economic Counselor, U.S. Embassy-Kuwait
Sam Van, MBA’13, Founder and CEO, SRO Partners
Description: Learn about investment strategies that generate mutual benefits for both investors and emerging markets. This session will highlight how strategic investments can foster sustainable growth and development, creating positive outcomes for all parties involved.
Main Talking Points:
Effective investment strategies that create mutually beneficial outcomes.
Examples of successful investment models in emerging markets.
The importance of collaboration between investors and local stakeholders.
Coffee-Break served at Bloomberg Center classrooms 061, 071, 081, 091.
Speaker:
Fridah Mubichi-Kut, Executive Director of the Student Multidisciplinary Applied Research Teams (SMART) Program
Description: Explore innovative projects and success stories from the SMART Program, which highlights impactful solutions in emerging markets. This session will feature groundbreaking initiatives that address key challenges and drive meaningful change.
Main Talking Points:
Overview of notable projects from the SMART Program.
The impact of these projects on local communities and economies.
Best practices and lessons learned from successful initiatives.
Speakers:
Martin Kimani, Former Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations
Catherine Muraga, Managing Director, Microsoft Africa Development Center
Vincent William, Vice President of LP Relations, Sango Capital
Chibamba Kanyama, Ambassador of Zambia to the U.S.
Fiyinfolu Oladiran, Partner, McKinsey & Company’s
Description: This panel will emphasize the intersection of policy, innovation, and finance. Discussions will focus on how these elements have historically worked together to unlock Africa’s potential and what the future holds as Africa continues to drive economic growth through collaboration and innovation.
Main Talking Points:
Opportunities for enhancing economic integration across African nations.
Challenges and solutions for achieving unity among diverse economies.
The role of regional organizations and partnerships in fostering economic cohesion.
Speakers:
Lourdes Casanova, Gail and Roberto Cañizares Director of the EMI, Cornell S.C. Johnson College of Business, USA
Andrew Karolyi, Charles Field Knight Dean of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
Eduardo Padilla Silva, MBA ’81, Former CEO of Femsa, Former CEO of OXXO
Description: Join us for a special fireside chat with the recipient of the prestigious Cañizares Alumni Award. This intimate conversation will celebrate their remarkable achievements, provide insights into their journey, and discuss their perspectives on emerging markets.
Main Talking Points:
The career journey and key achievements of the award winner.
Their impact on emerging markets and the lessons learned.
Advice and insights for future leaders in the field.
Speaker: Lourdes Casanova, Gail and Roberto Cañizares Director of the EMI, Cornell S.C. Johnson College of Business, USA
Description: Conclude the summit by reflecting on the key takeaways and discussing future pathways for innovation and growth in emerging markets. This closing session will summarize the conference highlights and provide a forward-looking perspective on continuing progress and collaboration.
Main Talking Points:
Summary of key insights and themes from the summit.
Emerging trends and future directions for innovation in emerging markets.
Strategies for ongoing growth and collaboration beyond the summit.
Confirmed Speakers
Momina Aijazuddin, Regional Financial Sector Industry Head – MCT International Finance Corporation
Momina Aijazuddin is IFC’s Senior Industry Manager for the Financial Institutions Group in the MCT region (Middle East, Central Asia, Turkey, Pakistan & Afghanistan). She oversees a $3.3 billion portfolio and a team of fifty, covering investment, upstream, and advisory engagements. Previously, she led IFC’s global MSME investment and advisory activities, including digital finance, microfinance, and fintech initiatives. Momina has over two decades of experience in financial services, microfinance, and manufacturing across 70+ countries. Her expertise includes setting up greenfield MFIs, transforming institutions into regulated banks, and engaging with policymakers. She has worked extensively on financial inclusion efforts in China and maintains key relationships with Mastercard, Ant Financial, and leading MSME banks. Momina holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the London School of Economics.
Justin Brannan, New York City Councilman, Chair of the Committee on Finance
Councilman Justin Brannan, a lifelong Brooklynite and son of a teacher and record salesman, studied journalism and became a professional musician, touring over fifty countries. His activism began at a NYC radio station, where he organized for unpaid wages. After serving as chief of staff to Councilman Vinnie Gentile, he oversaw the NYC Department of Education’s universal pre-K initiative. Elected in 2017, he advocates for working families and leads the powerful Committee on Finance. Brannan has brought over $100 million to southwest Brooklyn and champions free vision care and increased arts funding in schools. He is passionate about his community and dedicated to making a difference.
Francisco Campos Ortiz, Chief LatAm Economist at Deutsche Bank
Francisco Campos is the Chief Economist for Latin America at Deutsche Bank, based in New York. Francisco is responsible for the formulation of the economic outlook for Mexico and the Andean countries. Prior to his current role, Francisco served as the Lead LatAm Economist at PGIM Fixed Income and as an economist at the Mexican Central Bank. Francisco’s research has appeared as corporate white papers as well as in peer-reviewed publications. Francisco holds a B.A. in Economics from the Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM), a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. in Economics from Brown University.
Lourdes Casanova, Gail and Roberto Cañizares Director of the EMI, Cornell S.C. Johnson College of Business
Lourdes Casanova is the Gail and Rob Cañizares Director of the Emerging Markets Institute and a Senior Lecturer at Cornell S.C. Johnson College of Business, Cornell University. Formerly associated with INSEAD, she’s a Fulbright Scholar holding a Master’s from the University of Southern California and a PhD from the University of Barcelona. Recognized as one of the 50 most influential Iberoamerican intellectuals and among the 30 most influential Iberoamerican women intellectuals by Esglobal, her academic contributions include co-editing books like “From Copycats to Leaders: Innovation from Emerging Markets” and “The Era of Chinese Multinationals.” She’s also authored “Global Latinas” and actively participates in various global economic forums and publications.
Joyce Chang, Chair of Global Research for J.P. Morgan’s Corporate and Investment Bank
Joyce Chang is the Chair of Global Research for J.P. Morgan’s Corporate and Investment Bank, with over 30 years of experience in Global Research. She specializes in Macro, Fixed Income, Cross-Asset, Emerging Markets, Geopolitical, Strategic, and Thematic Research. Previously, she was the Global Head of Research and Fixed Income Research. Joyce has earned 25 #1 individual rankings in Institutional Investor surveys and was inducted into the Fixed Income Analyst Society Hall of Fame in 2014.
Before joining J.P. Morgan in 1999, Joyce was a Managing Director at Merrill Lynch and Salomon Brothers. She is an Executive Sponsor for AsPIRE and Women on The Move networks at J.P. Morgan. Joyce serves on several boards, including the German Marshall Fund and Trickle Up, and advisory boards for the Bretton Woods Committee and the Ray Dalio Health Justice Center. Recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance by American Banker, she holds an M.P.A. from Princeton and a B.A. from Columbia.
Ana Gomez Chapman, BS ’93, Managing Director, Hamilton Lane
Ana Gomez Chapman is a financial services executive and corporate board director with three decades of experience. Originally from Colombia, she is a multi-cultural leader who has lived and worked in North and Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Europe. As a Managing Director at Hamilton Lane, she leads client solutions in the Western U.S. She has held executive roles at Goldman Sachs, Allianz Global Investors, Citigroup, JHL Capital Group, Coghill Capital Management, and Amba Research. Ana serves on corporate boards including Lake Resources NL and MP Materials, and advisory boards like Backstop Solutions Group. At Cornell University, she is involved in multiple councils and advisory boards, including the Emerging Markets Institute. Ana holds a B.S. from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from Columbia Graduate School of Business.
James Codella, BS’ 07, M. Eng ’08, Principal Product Manager, Microsoft
James is a Principal Product Manager for AI & databases at Microsoft. In a previous life, James was a researcher for AI in Healthcare at the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center. He holds a B.S. and M. Eng. in Operations Research from Cornell University, and a Ph.D. in Operations Research from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He currently lives in the NYC-Metro area with his wife and puppy.
Francesco Del Vecchio, BS ’97, Managing Director, Moelis & Company
Francesco Del Vecchio is a Managing Director at Moelis & Company, specializing in Capital Structure Advisory. With over 20 years of experience in restructuring, financing, and investment management, he advises debtors, creditors, private equity sponsors, and governmental entities on various restructurings and capital structure assignments globally. Francesco has worked in Moelis & Company’s New York and London offices. Previously, he held investment banking roles at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup and managed an investment portfolio at a New York-based asset manager. Francesco holds a B.S. from Cornell University and an MSL from the USC Gould School of Law. He is an Advisory Group member of the Cornell Emerging Markets Institute and is active at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Lance Deng, Senior Advisor at the US-China Green Institute (USCGI)
Mr. Lance Deng is a Senior Advisor at the US-China Green Institute (USCGI), a non-profit dedicated to fostering U.S.-China collaboration in clean energy innovation and sustainable development. USCGI is chaired by prominent experts and leaders in the environmental and energy sectors, working to promote cross-border initiatives in climate action, renewable energy, and environmental protection.
As a seasoned executive in renewable energy, Mr. Deng has driven key advancements in energy storage and clean technologies, expanded EV lithium-ion battery and hydrogen technologies in major global markets, including the U.S., UK, and Germany. At Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG), he served as VP of Business Development, and VP of Mobility & Transportation. Prior to that, as Managing Director at Microvast (NASDAQ: MVST).
Mr. Deng currently holds multiple roles advancing cutting-edge innovations such as Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRB), CCUS technologies for O&G industry, and ultrafast EV charging solutions.
Anindo Dutta, MBA ’05, Partner/Principal, EY
Anindo Dutta is a Partner/Principal at EY, responsible for strategic ecosystem partnerships and alliances in Cloud, Digital/AI, and Cyber across Asia-Pacific. Previously, he was VP/Regional Business Leader for Microsoft Consulting Services in Asia, Group VP at Oracle, and SVP & GM at Xerox. Anindo has held executive roles at HP and IBM, including an overseas assignment in India. He serves on the Board of Governors at the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, Advisory Council at Cornell EMI, and Advisory Board at Rutgers University. Anindo mentors Cornell startups and has received the High Impact Leadership Award by ASCEND. He holds degrees from Rutgers, the University of Pennsylvania, and an Executive MBA from Cornell, and completed the ALP at Stanford.
Vishal Gaur, Anne and Elmer Lindseth Dean of the Johnson Graduate School of Management
Vishal Gaur is the Anne and Elmer Lindseth Dean and professor at Cornell’s SC Johnson College of Business. He holds a PhD from Wharton, an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, and a BTech from IIT Delhi. As associate dean (2014-2019), he launched the Digital Technology Immersion and created the MS in Business Analytics program. His research focuses on supply chains, retailing, and ecommerce, earning him the Wickham Skinner Early Career Research Award. Gaur has received numerous teaching awards, including the 2022 Class of 1992 Apple Award.
He teaches operations management and digital business courses. Well-regarded for his dedication to teaching, he leads the Semester in Strategic Operations immersion course. Before Cornell, he was at NYU Stern and Harvard Business School.
Drausio Giacomelli, Managing Director, Deutsche Bank Securities
Drausio Giacomelli is a senior economist and strategist at DB who has covered EM for over two decades with expertise in global EM themes and LatAm. The teams he has managed have won several awards across economics and strategy. He is an engineer with a PhD in Economics from MIT.
C. Gökhan Doran, Division Vice President and General Manager, Corning International
Gökhan Doran was appointed division vice president and general manager, Corning International in June 2022. Prior to this, he was appointed regional manager EMEA, Corning International, and was responsible for driving business operations, strategy, and business development for Corning International in the EMEA region since 2015. Gokhan Doran joined Corning through acquisition of Siemens’ telecom in 1999, as sales manager for Turkey. He then was in charged for the operation of the fiber plant in Gebze, Turkey and subsequently expanded his responsibility as country manager and managing director for the local entity.
Chibamba Kanyama, Ambassador of Zambia to the U.S.
Chibamba Kanyama is a Zambian business leader and writer specializing in communication strategy, corporate governance, and economics. He holds a BA in Mass Communication from the University of Zambia, an MSc in Development Finance from the University of Reading, and a PhD in Management from Texila American University. Kanyama began his career at Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, later holding key roles at various organizations, including Zambian Breweries and the IMF.
In 2023, he was appointed Ambassador to the United States. He founded Bridges Limited, a consultancy firm, in 2017. Kanyama has been a business columnist for The Post Newspapers since 2004 and has served as a UNICEF Ambassador and Climate Change Ambassador. He also initiated “Creating the Future,” a business conference for teenagers in Zambia.
Andrew Karolyi, Charles Field Knight Dean of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
Andrew Karolyi is the Charles Field Knight Dean of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and the Harold Bierman, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Management. A scholar in investment finance, he specializes in international financial markets and has published extensively in top finance and economics journals. His books include International Capital Markets and Cracking the Emerging Markets Enigma.
Karolyi has served as editor of the Review of Financial Studies and held associate editor roles for several prestigious journals. He has received numerous awards, including the Michael Jensen Prize and the Fama/DFA Prize. He leads executive education programs globally and consults with various organizations. Karolyi holds degrees from McGill University and the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.
Martin Kimani, Former Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations
Ambassador Martin Kimani is the executive director of NYU’s Center on International Cooperation. From 2021 to 2024, he served as Kenya’s permanent representative to the UN, holding roles such as president of the Security Council and Executive Board president of UNDP, UNOPS, and UNFPA. Previously, he was Kenya’s special envoy for countering violent extremism and director of the National Counter Terrorism Centre. Kimani holds a Ph.D. in War Studies from King’s College London and has received multiple honors, including Kenya’s Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear and the German Africa Foundation’s Honorary Award.
Anne Miroux, Faculty Fellow at Emerging Markets Institute, S.C. Johnson College of Business
Anne Miroux is Faculty Fellow at the Emerging Market Institute, Johnson School of Business at Cornell University, with over thirty years of experience in international trade, finance and technology and innovation policies. She is a former Director of the Division on Technology and Logistics in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Head of the Secretariat of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD). Anne Miroux has an MBA from HEC, Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales, and a PHD in Economics from University of Paris I – Sorbonne.She also graduated from the “Institut d’Etudes Politiques-IEP” Paris.
Abhishek has over 20 years of experience in driving sustainable business outcomes and transformation in financial services, regulatory compliance, legal, and insurance domains. At Wolters Kluwer, he leads business transformation and product innovation, managing a global team to develop solutions for internal processes and customer regulatory obligations.
Before joining Wolters Kluwer in 2012, Abhishek held various risk and information management roles at American Express, enhancing capabilities in risk model execution, customer marketing, and commercial underwriting. An award-winning AI leader and conference speaker, he is active in forums like CDO Club and MIT CISR Data Board.
Mark Mobius, Mobius Investments
Dr. Mark Mobius, the eponymous founder, boasts over 40 years of experience in emerging and frontier markets, overseeing actively managed funds with assets exceeding $50 billion. Prior to establishing Mobius Capital Partners LLP in 2018, he had a distinguished career of more than 30 years at Franklin Templeton Investments, where he served as the executive chairman of the Templeton Emerging Markets Group.
Under his leadership, the group expanded its assets under management from $100 million to over $50 billion, launching successful emerging market and frontier funds across multiple regions. Dr. Mobius has been a pivotal figure in shaping international policy for emerging markets and received numerous industry awards. He is a published author and holds a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Fridah Mubichi-Kut, Executive Director of the Student Multidisciplinary Applied Research Teams (SMART) Program
Fridah Mubichi-Kut is a professor of practice in applied economics and management and the executive director of the SMART Program at Cornell’s Dyson School. Her research focuses on the role of development policies and social networks in promoting agricultural innovations, economic development, and gender equity in emerging markets. Trained as an international business administrator and social scientist, she has worked with various organizations globally. Before Cornell, she was the director of monitoring and evaluation at the United Soybean Board, where she developed the organization’s first measurement evaluation system and supported its strategic plan. She also worked with USAID-FtF Soybean Innovation Labs and Climate Resilient Beans.
Catherine Muraga, Managing Director, Microsoft Africa Development Center
Catherine is a seasoned IT professional with over 15 years of experience across industries like manufacturing, aviation, and banking. She is the first woman to lead Microsoft’s Africa Development Center (ADC), a role she finds both exciting and challenging. Before joining Microsoft, she led the Engineering team at Stanbic Bank Kenya and South Sudan, and previously served as Director of IT and Operations at Sidian Bank. Catherine holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Africa Nazarene University and has completed executive programs at Columbia Business School and Oxford University.
Fiyinfolu Oladiran, Partner, McKinsey & Company
Fiyin is a Partner at McKinsey & Company’s Washington DC office, leading the firm’s social, healthcare, and public-sector practice. He specializes in workforce development and higher education, working to improve the performance of institutions and enhance education and research outcomes. Fiyin has led transformation programs for HBCUs, large universities, and government bodies focused on economic mobility and revitalization. A recognized leader at McKinsey’s Institute for Black Economic Mobility, he provides strategic guidance and speaks on inclusive economic growth. Before McKinsey, Fiyin contributed to malaria reduction efforts at Novartis and serves on the Board of the Nigerian University of Technology and Management.
Eduardo Padilla Silva, MBA ’81, Former CEO of Femsa, Former CEO of OXXO
Eduardo joined FEMSA in 1997 as Director of Strategic Planning and Control, and in January 2000 he became CEO of FEMSA Strategic Businesses (Packaging, Logistics and Retailing). At the same time he also assumed CEO of FEMSA’s Retail Operation. During his tenure, FEMSA’s flagship proximity store chain, OXXO, grew to become the largest small-format chain in the Americas, while achieving industryleading profitability levels. In January 2016 he was appointed Chief Corporate Officer of FEMSA, and since January 2018 he served as FEMSA’s CEO until December 2021. Prior to joining FEMSA, Eduardo spent 19 years at another major Mexico-based corporation, ALFA, where he rose to be CEO of its Carpets and Rugs operation, Terza. He holds a BS in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from ITESM (Tec de Monterrey), and an MBA from Cornell University. Currently Eduardo is a consultant and serves as Chairman of the Board at Signature Aviation, and also serves on the Board of Directors of other several corporations and institutions such as Sigma Alimentos, Grupo Lamosa, Proeza, Tiendas Coppel and Universidad Tecmilenio.
Lorenzo Pavone, Deputy Head – Networks, Partnerships and Gender Division, OECD
Lorenzo Pavone oversees the Emerging Markets Network (EMnet), a network of multinational companies promoting policy dialogue and analysis on business in emerging markets, hosted by the OECD Development Centre. He has experience in emerging markets, private sector development, competitiveness, investment promotion and business climate assessment. He holds an MBA from HEC Paris and a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Rome La Sapienza and is member of the Faculty Advisory Council of the Emerging Markets Institute (EMI) at Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
Amb. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in NYC
Amb. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, a 2002 Indian Foreign Service diplomat, speaks English, Russian, Hindi, and Odiya. His career includes senior roles in Indian Embassies in Moscow, Turkmenistan, and Pakistan (2004-2012), and managing India’s relations with Afghanistan and Iran (2012-2014). He served as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas (2014-2019) and Deputy Chief of Mission in Moscow (2019-2021). As High Commissioner to Tanzania (2021-2024), he elevated India-Tanzania relations to a Strategic Partnership and established IIT Madras’s Zanzibar campus. Currently, he is the Consul General of India in New York. Amb. Pradhan enjoys golf and is married with two daughters.
Praveena Rai, Managing Director & CEO of Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX)
Ms. Praveena Rai is the Managing Director & CEO of Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd. (MCX), India’s largest commodity derivatives Exchange. Her illustrious career spans over 20 years in financial services.
Prior to joining MCX, she was the Chief Operating Officer with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), wherein she has successfully executed the growth strategy for digital payments. She has also held leadership positions in Citi Group, HSBC and Kotak Mahindra Bank and believes that technology is a key engine driving transformative change, critical in accelerating the transition to a digital services led economy.
She is an engineer and a management postgraduate from College of Engineering, Guindy and Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. She has been awarded by Forbes in the Self-Made Women List 2024
Alvaro Rodriguez Arregui, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, IGNIA
Alvaro Rodriguez is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of IGNIA, a venture capital firm investing in tech entrepreneurs addressing challenges of Latin America’s emerging middle class. Under his leadership, IGNIA has backed successful companies like Rapyd, Tiendanube, and Credijusto.
A former Harvard Business School faculty member, Alvaro taught entrepreneurship and chaired Compartamos Banco and ACCION International. His executive roles include CFO of Vitro and CEO of Farmacias Benavides. Recognized by the World Economic Forum and Forbes, he received the National Entrepreneurship Award and HBS Alumni Achievement Award. Alvaro also serves on several prestigious boards and is a decorated athlete. He holds a BS from ITAM and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Sameer Sain, MBA ’95, Co-Founder & CEO, Everstone Capital
Sameer Sain is the co-founder and CEO of Everstone. He is based in Singapore, he is actively involved in managing the firm and overseeing the business in each location, dividing his time between all the Everstone offices across multiple regions. Before Everstone, Sameer spent 11 years at Goldman Sachs, where he was a Managing Director in the Investment Management Division and held the position of Head of Institutional Wealth Management and the Special Investments Group (International). Prior to his appointment as Managing Director, he spent eight years managing public market portfolios for Goldman Sachs clients, investing globally across multiple asset classes. Sameer holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Mumbai, a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts and a Master of Business Administration from Cornell University.
Jayant Sinha, Former Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance and Former Member of the Indian Parliament
Mr. Jayant Sinha is a globally reputed policy-maker, investor, and thought leader. He introduced India’s first net zero legislation in 2021 and has conducted pioneering research on its impacts. As a two-term Member of Parliament from Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, he represented 3 million people and led significant development projects. He chaired the Standing Committee on Finance, overseeing key financial institutions.
From 2014 to 2019, he served as Minister of State for Finance and Civil Aviation, driving major policy initiatives like India’s bankruptcy code and the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme. Prior to public service, he was a Partner at Omidyar Network and Managing Director at Courage Capital. Mr. Sinha holds degrees from Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and IIT Delhi.
Brad Stilwell, MBA’97, Economic Counselor, U.S. Embassy-Kuwait
Brad Stilwell currently leads the Economic section of U.S. Embassy-Kuwait. During his 21-year diplomatic career, he has assisted U.S. investors in several regions of the world. Prior to this, he managed marketing campaigns and businesses for American Express, RealNetworks, and other technology firms. He has written for PC Magazine, The Wichita Eagle, and other publications. He is a 1997 MBA graduate of Cornell University’s Johnson School of Business.
Sam Van, MBA ’13, Founder and CEO, SRO Partners
Sam Van recently served as Head of Advisory Services and SVP for Freedom U.S. Markets, a division of Freedom Holding Corp [Nasdaq: FRHC]. Over two decades, he listed 80+ companies on NYSE and Nasdaq, with a combined market value of $7 billion. He is an independent director for several public companies and a Senior Board Advisor at RKtech. Previously, he led Deltec Investment Adviser’s corporate advisory practice and held roles at FINRA and NYSE. Sam is the honorary chairman of VietChallenge and advised Asian companies on U.S. capital markets. He holds a B.S. in Finance from St. John’s University and an MBA from Cornell University.
Wim Vandenhoeck, MBA ’94, Senior Portfolio Manager, Invesco US
Wim Vandenhoeck serves as a Senior Portfolio Manager on the Invesco Oppenheimer Emerging Markets Local Debt and International Bond strategies, principally conducting interest rate and foreign currency analysis in emerging markets.
Mr. Vandenhoeck joined Invesco when the firm combined with OppenheimerFunds in 2019. Prior to joining OppenheimerFunds in 2015, he was a partner at APQ Partners LLP, an emerging markets investment advisor based out of London. Prior to APQ, he was an asset manager at GLG Partners LP in London, where he focused on emerging market fixed income strategies. Before GLG, he was a partner at Six Seasons Global Asset Management LLC, Aravali Partners LLC, and Havell Capital Management LLC, all in New York, mainly managing fixed income macro strategies, often with a focus on emerging markets. Earlier in his career, he held positions at Bank Brussels Lambert and Paribas Bank.
Mr. Vandenhoeck earned a BA degree from Katholiek Universiteit Leuven and an MBA from Cornell University.
Maria Fernanda Vera, CEO & Co Founder, La Wawa
María Fernanda Vera, a Venezuelan entrepreneur with extensive experience in retail, marketing, and sustainability in the textile industry. Co-founder and CEO of La Wawa, a employee benefit and mobility platform. The first Venezuelan woman to become the CEO of a technology startup in the country.
Shoba Viswanathan, VP Development & Civic Engagement, Indiaspora
Shoba Viswanathan is Vice President – Development and Civic Engagement at Indiaspora. She comes to the role with experience in communications, community engagement, volunteer mobilization for social justice causes, and non-profit management. Shoba is a co-founder of the Chitthi Brigade, an organization focused on strengthening the political participation of Indian-American women. Her academic background is in intersectional feminist research and she has a long engagement with the publishing industry. Born in New Delhi and brought up in Chennai, she is a first generation Indian-American who currently lives in New York after having spent time in the San Francisco Bay Area and in the Midwest. She enjoys hiking the Hudson Valley in her free time.
Vincent Williams, Vice President of LP Relations, Sango Capital
Vincent William is the Vice President of LP Relations at Sango Capital, with over 25 years of experience in client engagement and investment roles at top firms. Before Sango, he was Senior VP at Legato Capital Management, overseeing Product Design and Business Development. He also served as Co-CEO and Director of Marketing at Lombardia Capital Partners. Vince has held leadership roles at RM Chase, SVB Capital, Northern Trust, Victory Capital Management, Mesirow Financial, Barclays Global Investors, and State Street Bank. He earned his BA in Economics from Northwestern University and attended the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
Find out the EMI competitions
Annually, EMI holds within the EMI Conference the Cornell EMI Corning Case Competition and the Cornell EMI Mark Mobius Pitch Competition.
Cornell EMI Corning Case Competition
The Corning Cornell Case Competition is a key event in the conference. It boosts collaboration among universities and strengthens Johnson’s ties with other academic institutions. Moreover, it speaks to EMI’s focus on international and inter-institutional collaboration. The total prize distributed by the Cornell EMI Corning Case Competition totals $9,000 (all prizes subject to tax withholdings as required by IRS regulations). Find more information by clicking below or accessing case.emiconference.com.
Cornell EMI Mark Mobius Pitch Competition
This pitch competition is hosted by the Cornell Emerging Markets Institute and assisted by Cornell Big Red Ventures in the regional finalists’ selection. In 2021, Mark Mobius announced his generous sponsorship of the pitch competition as a learning opportunity for student entrepreneurs to improve their pitching skills. The competition distributes $15,000 in awards (all prizes subject to tax withholdings as required by IRS regulations), find more information by clicking below or accessing pitch.emiconference.com.
2.2K+Participants in the Case Competition since 2017
126Startups in the Pitch Competition since 2020
1,000Streaming views
All regions around the world participate annually
Past EMI Conferences
The 2023 EMI Conference had 500 attendees at Bloomberg Auditorium, Cornell Tech, NYC, and online.
The Cornell Emerging Market Institute Conference is the United States’ leading annual forum for discussing the ongoing trends and phenomena in our world’s rapidly growing emerging markets. Bringing together heads of the world’s largest multilateral institutions and preeminent business, the conference fosters engaging discussions on economic development and this year, specifically, through the lens of global supply chains.
Emerging markets are in flux—no longer the future, already central to the present. And yet Capital is flowing as if there is doubt, with new partnerships dawning, old questions lingering. The EMI Conference straddles the crossroads, here to capture a seminal moment, when crises — even the specters of financial contagion — may not have to threaten us, so much as invite us to think anew. This Conference reaffirms our commitment to building bridges, as risks spill over, as potential realignments draw closer.
The 2022 EMI Conference had nearly 471 attendees at Verizon Center, Cornell Tech, and online.
The Cornell Emerging Market Institute Conference is the United States’ leading annual forum for discussing the ongoing trends and phenomena in our world’s rapidly growing emerging markets. Bringing together heads of the world’s largest multilateral institutions and preeminent business, the conference fosters engaging discussions on economic development and this year, specifically, through the lens of global supply chains.
The theme of the 2022 Conference, “Reinventing Global Value Chains”, invites speakers to envision the connections that are evolving between industries, governments, and environments, which have compounding effects on trade and economic development, especially as we reach into a post-pandemic world riddled with uncertainty.
The 2021 EMI Conference had nearly 450 attendees at Verizon Center, Cornell Tech, and online.
In the 2020s more than ever before, ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) concerns will be crucial for business, especially in emerging economies. Emerging multinationals will be key players in both offering solutions and mitigating their own impacts, as society grapples with its own destructive effects on our planet. Understanding and responding to social issues, such as poverty, inequality, and marginalization will be crucial, as business leaders seek to make positive change and eliminate harmful practices. And finally, scrutiny of firms’ governance will be a primary concern. Clients, partners, employees, and society at large expect firms to be part of the change for good.
The last 10 years has been transformational for Emerging markets; their economies have grown, poverty levels have gone down and, in some cases, extreme poverty has been eradicated. On the business side, their companies, mainly from China and Korea but also from India, Mexico or Brazil, have made inroads globally and have made major acquisitions globally. On the innovation front, emerging markets have increased patent applications and investments in research and development. EMI’s annual conference in November 2020 will celebrate the institute 10th anniversary and focus on the achievements of emerging markets over the last ten years.
EMI was born in 2010 in the aftermath of the Global Financial crisis. A decade later in 2020, emerging markets are faced with yet another global crisis and this is an opportune moment for the EMI Annual Conference to explore how emerging markets will not just cope with the Covid-19 crisis but also emerge stronger to shape the global future.
"I participated in the organizing committee. I was able to learn about the end-to-end process, the guest speakers, topics in ESG and overall innovation in emerging markets."
Yashodhara Neerukonda, Cornell AMBA 2022, EMI Conference Committee member
"The EMI conference was the highlight of our year, and engaging with impactful start-ups from different was inspiring - it challenged us to think about how we can bring positive, lasting impact in our own communities and countries."
