C-Suite Conversations
During C-Suite Conversations, a distinguished guest sits through an unscripted interview on-stage in Ukrop Auditorium. Dr. Richard Coughlan helps guide the conversation, and students, faculty, fellow business leaders, and other guests are given a chance to join in the discussion.
Presented by the Robins School of Business; supported by PNC Bank and ChamberRVA.
Upcoming Speakers
Senior Advisor, Washington Commanders
October 9, 2024 | 6 p.m.
Jason Wright leads the organization’s business divisions, including operations, finance, sales, and marketing. In addition to leading a historic transformation of a sports franchise, he is the first Black team president in the history of the NFL.
Learn More & RegisterFounder, Blanchard’s Coffee
November 7, 2024 | 8 a.m.
UR alumnus David Blanchard began roasting coffee as a hobby just after graduating in 2002 and launched an unofficial coffee-of-the-month club a year later. In 2005, he formed Blanchard’s Coffee, initially selling products as a wholesaler and online retailer across the mid-Atlantic region.
Learn More & RegisterPrevious Guests
EVP and Chief Brand Officer, Mattel
September 17, 2024 | 6 p.m.
Lisa McKnight is Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer of Mattel. She joined Mattel in 1998. In her current role, Ms. McKnight oversees all of Mattel’s toy categories and global brands, as well as design and development.
Learn MoreLisa McKnight, Mattel
Lisa McKnight is Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer of Mattel. She joined Mattel in 1998. In her current role, Ms. McKnight oversees all of Mattel’s toy categories and global brands, as well as design and development.
Paige Wilson, Naborforce
Paige Wilson, founder of Naborforce, joins the Robins School for a C-Suite Conversation. Since Ms. Wilson launched Naborforce in 2018, the firm scaled rapidly and recently closed a $9M round of Series A financing. After a very successful career in finance and banking, Wilson pivoted to entrepreneurship to meet an important need in the community.
Kristen Cavallo, The Martin Agency
Kristen Cavallo, CEO of The Martin Agency, discusses leadership and life at the nationally recognized advertising agency.
Denise Johnson, Caterpillar, Inc.
Denise Johnson, group president, Caterpillar, Inc., joined Dr. Richard Coughlan for the final C-Suite Conversation of the 2017-2018 school year. She discussed the company’s commitment to its customers during a sales downturn, and how her sector has come back stronger as a result.
Courtney Paulk, L’00, Hirschler
Courtney Paulk, L’00, joined Dr. Richard Coughlan for a C-Suite Conversation on February 12, 2019, to discuss her career path from her time at the University of Richmond School of Law to becoming president of Hirschler, a Richmond based law firm.
Ting Xu, Evergreen Enterprises
The Robins School of Business welcomed Ting Xu, founder of Evergreen Enterprises for a C-Suite Conversation with Dr. Richard Coughlan. She shared her family’s immigration story, and explained how a career for her retired parents making decorative flags in her garage turned into a major company.
Leigh Sewell, Bon Secours
Leigh Sewell, CEO of multiple Bon Secours hospitals in RVA, shared her journey from Circuit City to CEO of the health system in our first C-Suite Conversation of the 2019-2020 season.
Karen Hoguet, Macy's
Macy’s CFO, Karen Hoguet, discussed the changing landscape of retail shopping in the final C-Suite Conversation of the year.
Moses Foster, West Cary Group
Moses Foster founded West Cary Group in 2007 and is president and CEO. A full-service marketing communications and advertising firm, Foster has led West Cary Group and its clients into an era of integrated communications innovation and growth, garnering notable clients.
John Hewa, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
Hewa has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the electric utility industry and has served as the CEO of electric cooperatives in Texas and Florida and as NRECA’s vice president of Research, Engineering and Technical Services.
Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia
Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia is one of the largest non-profit organizations in the state, with an annual budget of $75M and a workforce of more than 1100 associates. Mark Barth, president and CEO, and Desmond Carter, COO, join Richard Coughlan for a candid discussion.
Richard Bynum, The PNC Financial Services Group
Richard Bynum, chief corporate responsibility officer of The PNC Financial Services Group, joins the Robins School for a C-Suite Conversation to discuss leadership and his role addressing emerging ESG issues across PNC’s rapidly expanding footprint.
Jyot Singh, RTS Labs
Jyot Singh, founder and CEO of RTS Labs, joined Dr. Richard Coughlan for the first C-Suite Conversation of the 2022-23 academic year.
Miller Brady, PGA Tour Champions
Miller Brady, president of PGA TOUR Champions, discusses leadership, decision-making, strategy, and other areas that contribute to the organization’s success.
Mark Lazarus, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming
Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, joined Dr. Richard Coughlan for a discussion on leadership, decision-making, and strategy at one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies.
Brian Bortell, Timmons Group
Brian Bortell, president, chairman and CEO of Timmons Group, an engineering, design, and technology company, joined Dr. Richard Coughlan on-stage for an hour long interview about his journey to becoming CEO and his insights into running the company.
Thomas Gayner, Markel Corporation
Thomas Gayner, co-chief executive officer of Markel Corporation, sat down with Dr. Richard Coughlan to discuss what it's like sharing CEO duties and his leadership strategy.
Don Godwin, Newport News Shipbuilding
Don Godwin, vice president and CFO of Newport News Shipbuilding, joined Dr. Richard Coughlan for a C-Suite Conversation about management, strategy, and the shipyard he runs.
Mike Nelson, Allianz Worldwide Partners
Mike Nelson, CEO, Global Travel and Americas at Allianz Worldwide Partners shared his business strategies and philosophies with Richard Coughlan in our C-Suite Conversation on October 2, 2019.
Tom Farrell, Dominion Energy
Tom Farrell, CEO of Dominion Energy spoke to our students about the energy company's history in Richmond and how they are revolutionizing their grid across the region.
Neil Amin, Shamin Hotels
Neil Amin, chief executive officer of Shamin Hotels, spoke with Dr. Richard Coughlan about the company’s many holdings in Virginia, and across the country, and about his rise through the hotel industry.
Thomas Joyce, Danaher Corporation
Thomas Joyce, President and Chief Executive Officer of Danaher Corporation, speaks of the lessons learned while building a global, multi-industry portfolio of businesses for the science and technology organization.
Richard Wintsch, Startup Virginia
Richard Wintsch, executive director at Startup Virginia, sits down with Richard Coughlan to discuss the startup incubator's growth and success and Richmond's thriving entrepreneurial scene.
Dan Schmitt, HHHunt
Dan Schmitt, president and chief operating officer of HHHunt joined Dr. Richard Coughlan for the first C-Suite Conversation of the 2018-2019 season. They discussed how he has revolutionized the company’s strategy since becoming COO in 2013.
Tim Bezbatchenko, ’04, Toronto Football Club
Tim Bezbatchenko, ’04, general manager of Toronto Football Club, joined Dr. Richard Coughlan for the first C-Suite Conversation of 2018. They discussed Bezbatchenko’s career from his time on the Richmond Spider soccer team through his work now in Toronto.