2005…Another return…to Indiana University, Kelley School of Business
Kelley offered another return of the GBC, this time to Bloomington in Indiana. The theme, Creating Value Through Leadership, was timelessly kicked off by two Kelley alumni in prominent positions: Maggy Siegel, president and chief executive officer of Judith Leiber, and Alan Cohen, chairman and CEO of Finish Line. Cohen has served as chairman of the board and CEO of Finish Line since since 1982. Finish Line, a specialty retailer of men’s, women’s and children’s brand-name athletic and lifestyle footwear, active-wear and accessories, currently operates over 551 stores in 46 states and employs over 11,000 people. The company’s sales for the latest fiscal year totaled more than $757 million. After a 20-year executive climb at Tiffany & Co., Coach Leatherware and Chanel, Siegel, an IU alumna, became president and CEO of Judith Leiber at age 46. She balances her duties as a mother with those of a corporate executive in a high-fashion industry. Both provided inspirational personal leadership experiences inclusive of important dilemmas they have faced as leaders. This left the GBC2005 floor open for exciting leadership discussions in breakout groups for the 100 delegates comprising 30 schools.
During the two-conference program delegates enjoyed the hospitality and informal atmosphere of Kelley School of Business at their impressive campus in Bloomington. The weather was nice and the outdoor environments were fully utilized for breaks in between break-out sessions.
Mark Healy and Prakash David of University of Western Ontario, Ivey, received the Student Leadership Award for their initiation and implementation of the social community program “Ivey Builds” (which still stands today). They raised $150,000, and recruited 300 students, faculty, and administrators to design, project manage, and build a home for a deserving family in the London, Ontario community.
The conference concluded with the 2006 host, Copenhagen Business School, who presented their case in a funny and lively manner with plentiful pictures from Copenhagen, Danish music, and a reinvigorating promise to subsidise accommodation for the duration of the conference.
