David Nardone, DMSB'79/MBA'82, is a longtime ally of Northeastern University and its Center of Emerging Markets (CEM). He has shown immense support for CEM over the years, from serving on its advisory board to speaking at various events. Now his most recent gift will support a variety of the Center's efforts; most prominently, its seminar series.
The longtime series, recently renamed the Nardone Family Seminar Series, features distinguished academics and practitioners who are invited to share insights about emerging markets with the Northeastern and Boston community. Over the years CEM has hosted over 150 speakers, thanks to Nardone's support.
“(Dave) is the ideal alumnus, and I am proud to have him as a friend and an advisor,” says Ravi Ramamurti, CEM's director. “The seminar series has enriched the intellectual climate at the D'Amore-McKim School of Business and, among other things, has helped attract top scholars to the school.”
Nardone first funded the series for five years back in 2015, but recently he decided to create a permanent series endowment so it could continue in perpetuity. The timely donation came after the government canceled a program that would have funded the Center for two years.
A prominent executive across borders, Nardone is the Vice Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of WHA Corporation PLC, which is Thailand's leading developer of industrial estates, utilities, electric power, ready-built factories, logistics warehouses, and property solutions. He has held senior financial and manufacturing management positions across the computer industry while residing in the United States, Thailand, and Hong Kong. The Thai economy expert also served as a governor and VP of the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand and currently serves on AMCHAM's Automotive Council.
Nardone's other Northeastern-related efforts include helping to organize university events in Bangkok, hosting visiting CEM faculty fellows, and showing visiting student groups around his factory. In addition, his son will complete his D'Amore-McKim Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in May 2021.
“D'Amore-McKim faculty and staff place a great deal of importance on preparing our students for the future of work in a highly-global business world, and both CEM and the Nardone Family Seminar Series help us in achieving this goal,” says Dunton Family Dean Raj Echambadi (2017-2021). “I couldn't be more thankful for Dave's dedication to our internationally-focused engagement efforts. His deep involvement has had a tremendous impact on our standing as an elite international business program.”