Made possible by a gift from David R. Nardone, the Nardone Family Seminar Series at the Center for Emerging Markets brings academics and practitioners to Northeastern University to share insights about emerging markets with the Boston community.

The longtime series has hosted over 150 speakers since the Center for Emerging Markets' inception, thanks to Nardone's support. Speakers have discussed topics ranging from family business to climate resilience, fintech trends to medical innovation, corporate governance to international policy, and more. These speakers have similarly come to CEM from a diverse array of academic and professional backgrounds and have shared their knowledge on research, trends, and innovations touching nearly every continent.

Upcoming Events

Feb 3

In today's tech-driven economy, how can established firms stay competitive without losing what made them successful? Join John Fallon, former CEO of Pearson and co-author of Resurgent, for an engaging conversation on how legacy companies can embrace digital transformation, rethink culture and operations, and win in a world dominated by disruption and innovation. Open to all students, faculty, and professionals.

Past Events

November 18, 2025

Isak Ladegaard, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Hong Kong, discussed his research on how digital platforms challenge state power. In this talk, he explored how online systems like anti-censorship software in China and far-right economies in the U.S. survive regulation and create alternative socio-economic domains. Attendees gained insight into how technology reshapes governance and drives social change across contexts.

October 14, 2025

As part of the Nardone Family Seminar Series, Sonia E. Rolland, professor of law and business at Northeastern University, led a book talk and panel on Trade Law and Development in Practice: Multi-Stakeholder Approaches. Drawing on her edited volume, Rolland and fellow contributors highlighted how trade law shapes development through questions of governance, equity, and innovation in emerging markets.

September 30, 2025

Vicente Zavarce, DMSB '16, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Yummy, shared his journey of building Venezuela's most successful on-demand delivery platform, now valued at over $200 million.