Thursday marked the 15th anniversary of the two-day, student-run event, the largest of its kind in the world. Over 1500 student attendees representing more than 135 colleges and universities packed the Broadway Ballroom of the New York Marriott Marquis for a series of panels and workshops featuring some of Wall Street’s sharpest, most influential figures. 

With the stage backlit in Bobcat blue, President Marie Hardin made her first appearance at the Forum, cheerily addressing “the best-dressed group I’ve spoken to in a long time” as the keynote speaker.

She opened her remarks by acknowledging her roots as a reporter and editor would seem to make her an outsider in the business world. But the core tenets of journalism can be applied to the students’ budding careers in finance, she said.

“I think we have something in common,” Hardin said. “Our tools are different, but our goals are identical. Seeking truth so we can make smart decisions that benefit others, and society. Information is the coin of the realm for all of us.”

Hardin urged the student attendees to lead with curiosity and voraciously consume long-form content, citing the advice of entrepreneur and former NBA owner Mark Cuban. By taking a more measured and introspective approach to consuming media, they would be better equipped to unravel market mysteries spurred by geopolitical issues.

“In a 24-hour news cycle, the context, the history, the thoughtful analysis from experts is often missing with the headlines on your feed,” Hardin said. “We’ve seen the results when we aren’t deeply informed — seeing a ‘breaking news’ banner and hitting ‘sell’ out of panic. That is letting the headlines control you. You, on the other hand, can avoid being reactionary and instead be strategic.”

President Hardin was introduced by Provost Debra Liebowitz, who expressed her admiration for School of Business Dean Holly Raider and Osman Kilic, professor of finance and the Forum’s faculty director, in helping the student-volunteers uphold their annual mission of organizing an event that is “the most impressive thing I have ever seen students run.”

Liebowitz invoked the words of former Federal Reserve chair Alan Greenspan to address market volatility and how it can be combated.

“For good or ill, uncertainty is the defining market, financial and political reality of the day,” Liebowitz said. “I want to recognize that all of us, younger and maybe a little bit older, are feeling that uncertainty at this moment. The key for you students is how you respond to that condition of uncertainty. I can’t think of a better response to uncertainty than being here to embrace learning. Despite the headlines of the day, despite the headwinds that will exist tomorrow, I really believe that the magic happens when we come together in common purpose of the greater good.”

Against the backdrop of the stock market crash of 1929, the 11 students who founded Quinnipiac with $100 in seed money established the blueprint for wringing opportunity from chaos, Liebowitz added. She also noted that the invention of the Quinnipiac poll in 1988 was the result of a class project, echoing the founders’ ingenuity.

“Those two examples illustrate how entrepreneurial spirit has always been part of the DNA of Quinnipiac,” Liebowitz said. “Moreover, it’s a testament to collaboration between faculty and students, and that is what brought all of you here today. It is the hallmark of potential change. … When the landscape shifts, don’t just stand still. Embrace listening and move together towards something that’s better.”

Student oversight chairman Robert Margiotta was the first at the podium. He recognized the team of 50 student-volunteers he guided over the past year and reflected on his leadership journey. The Forum is the perfect setting for forming connections that could shape careers, he said. 

“Innovation across areas like fintech, artificial intelligence and global capital markets continue to transform how financial professionalism operates,” Margiotta said. “This is why we gather like this. It gives students the chance to move beyond the textbook and engage directly with the people who navigate these everyday challenges.”

He wrapped his remarks with a challenge to his peers. 

“Listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions and be open to new ideas and perspectives that can change how you see the financial world,” he said.

Gold sponsors Merrill Lynch, World Gold Council and The Dunn-Dunne-Wall Group were among the more than 70 exhibitors from industry-leading financial firms and organizations on hand to facilitate networking opportunities for the students. A global roster of participating schools included Columbia University, Georgetown University, Ball State University, University of Miami, U.S. Air Force Academy, Rochester Institute of Technology, American University of Beirut and the University of Washington.

Dean Holly Raider moderated the first panel of the day, an outstanding CEO fireside chat that featured Lindsay Hans, president and co-head of Merrill Wealth Management, and Zach Buchwald, chairman and CEO of Russell Investments. Other highlights from the opening slate included a panel on strategic allocation moderated by Board of Trustees member Brett M. Amendola ’91, managing partner of Wooster Square Advisors.

Student emcees Mila Iuteri ’25, MBA ’26, and Sam Kornfeld ’25, MBA ’26, kicked off the welcome remarks and energized the crowd between sessions. In addition to the first-day panels, Dean Raider and School of Business faculty met with admitted students. There was also an alumni event on Wednesday night and a faculty reception on Thursday night.

As an extension of GAME Forum, two Quinnipiac students, Sana Quadri and Margaret Gachau, led an event for UN Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) signatory schools attending GAME Forum. The interactive dinner is sponsored by UN PRME and the head of PRME, David Steingard, will be in attendance.

Friday’s agenda includes another full lineup of panel discussions, along with the annual student-managed portfolio competition.

To learn more about the Global Asset Management Education Forum, visit game.qu.edu.