VCU news

By Tom Gresham

Nirupama Rao, ambassador of India to the United States, will be among the speakers exploring India’s influence in the international business climate at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business 18th Annual International Business Forum on April 3.

“The Rise of India in the Global Business Arena: Shift Happens – So How Do We Shift with It?” will be held in the VCU University Student Commons Ballroom, 907 Floyd Ave., from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. In addition to Rao, speakers will include Peter Durette, vice president and chief strategy officer, MeadWestvaco Corporation, a global packaging solutions company, and Dave Ryan, executive vice president and Americas regional head, Tata Communications, a global communications provider. Van Wood, professor of international marketing and Philip Morris Chair in International Business, VCU School of Business, will serve as moderator of the forum. The event, which is free and open to the public, is being hosted by the VCU School of Business and the VCU Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

The forum will highlight the increasing economic strength of India and other emerging markets, such as Brazil, China, Russia and Mexico, even as many Western economies struggle to regain the footing they lost during the 2008 financial collapse.

“It’s important for the U.S. to understand the shift that is occurring in the global economy and to be flexible enough to shift with it,” said Wood, who organizes the International Business Forum each year. “The forum participants this year will clarify the way markets are evolving and provide us with a greater understanding of the world that we live in today.”

Rao has a diplomatic career that dates back to 1973 when she joined the Indian Foreign Service. She was named India’s Ambassador to the U.S. in 2011. Previous ambassadorships include assignments to Peru, Bolivia, Sri Lanka and China. Other posts include Minister for Press and Cultural Affairs at the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Moscow and spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. She also worked in the East Asia Division of the Ministry for several years.

Durette works with MeadWestvaco’s senior leadership team in shaping the vision and strategic direction for the company and its businesses and in developing and executing next-generation profitable growth strategies. Durette has been involved in driving MeadWestvaco’s growth in emerging markets, which now comprise more than 25 percent of the company’s revenue, particularly focusing on Brazil, China and India. Previously, Durette served in a similar role as vice president, Strategy and Business Development, for Textron, Inc., a $10-billion, multi-industry company, and worked as a consultant and partner at Marakon Associates, an advisory firm.

Ryan manages Tata Communications’ regional operating strategy, business development initiatives and helps lead growth strategies for the Americas region. Ryan also oversees corporate relations with industry analysts, media organizations and all-related industry associations. Ryan has led Tata Communications’ regional growth since being hired as the company’s first American employee in 2004. Ryan has more than 25 years of international telecommunications sales management experience and an extensive background in developing U.S. markets for global carriers.