Speakers
Dr. Simon Sigué : is a Full Professor of Marketing in the Faculty of Business and Vice-Dean, Operations, in the Faculty of Graduate Studies at Athabasca University, Canada, President of the Academy of African Business and Development (AABD), and former Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of African Business (JAB).
Dr. William K. Darley : is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Toledo (USA) and received his doctorate from Indiana University and MBA from University of Notre Dame (USA). He has held professorship positions at American University of Beirut (Lebanon) and King Abdul Aziz University (Saudi Arabia).
Dr. Darley has also served in administrative positions as Chair of a Department at the University of Toledo and the Director of Business Studies and Associate Dean of School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Millersville University of Pennsylvania. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a former Associate Editor (Buyer Behavior) for the Journal of Business Research.
Thursday Keynote Speaker:
Laura Lombard : is the Director of the International Division for the Department of Commerce. The mission of the International Division is to expand Kansas’ exports and attract foreign direct investment to the state. She was previously the President & CEO of Kansas Global Trade Services.
Laura participated on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Advisory Committee (ITAC-9) on Small, Minority, and Women-Led Businesses. She also served as the Vice Chair of the Mid-America District Export Council. Laura graduated from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies with a master’s degree in international relations and economics. She also has a B.A. in political science and international studies from the University of Kansas.
Friday Keynote Speaker: Taylor Overton - Office of Minority & Women Business Development Director
Taylor Overton : serves as the Director of the Office of Minority & Women Business Development for the Kansas Department of Commerce. With a background in business development, she holds a pivotal role overseeing, designing and implementing initiatives specifically tailored to bolster the growth and success of disadvantaged, minority- and women-owned businesses across the state.
She serves as a valuable resource, providing information, referrals and guidance in key areas such as procurement, contracting, subcontracting, financing and business management, ensuring that businesses have the tools they need to thrive.
Prior to this role, as the Director of Corporate and Minority Business Enterprise Development at the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council, Overton developed education and training curriculum for corporations and minority businesses in California, Nevada and Hawaii.
Taylor was born and raised in Lawrence, Kansas and attended Ottawa University. Upon graduation, she moved to California for work, but soon realized her passion for returning to Kansas. Taylor found herself eager to come back and contribute to the economic landscape of the place she calls home.
Scholars/ Fellows
- Prof. Addisu Fekadu Andeta; Mandela Washington Fellow; Arba Minch University; Ethiopia. addisu.fekadu@amu.edu.e
- Ms. Henry Zinnah Saykwayee Harmony; Mandela Washington Fellow; Kids Development Initiative; Liberia. saykwayeehhenry@gmail.com
- Mr. Olalekan Sipasi; Mandela Washington Fellow; Ph.D. Candidate, Kansas State University; Nigeria; USA sipasioa@ksu.edu
- Dr. Lucy Muthoni; Fulbright Fellow; Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Stellenbosch University; Strathmore University; United States; Kenya muthoni@rose-hulman.edu
Opening Ceremony
- Welcome speech.
- Washburn University, Dean School of Business, Professor David Sollars
- Kansas State Commerce Director or Kansas State Secretary.
- AABD President, to introduce the Board and the executives.
Wednesday, May/15/2024 Evening Social
Join us for an evening of a multicultural celebration to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the seminal Supreme Court decision in Brown vs. Board of Education. The evening will consist of a guided tour of the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, celebratory Afrobeat music, an array of gourmet food trucks and refreshing drinks.
“As we look back on the achievements of the past, we must also look forward with a renewed commitment to building a more just and equitable world for future generations.” – Prof. Norma Juma
Read more about this seminal Supreme Court decision here: Reflecting on Progress and the Journey Ahead — TK Business Magazine (tkmagazine.com)
Thursday, May/16/2024, Evening Social
Join the Department of Commerce for dinner and revel in the captivating view of downtown Topeka by night. The backdrop of downtown by night is as exquisite as the cuisine.
Friday, May/17/2024, Gala Dinner
Venue: Washburn University, Memorial Union (MU)
Join us in a celebration of our shared successes! Let's gather to honor the exceptional achievements within our community, starting with the prestigious Best Paper Award and the recognition of the Best Reviewer(s) for the Journal of African Business (JAB). Best paper for JAB.
This gathering will also pay a heartfelt tribute to the life and legacy of Professor Robert Rugimbana, a founding and distinguished member of the Academy of African Business Development (AABD), among many other notable accomplishments.
This is a time to reflect on our collective milestones, to applaud the hard work and dedication that have led us here, and to cherish the memories of those who have significantly contributed to our field. Let's come together to celebrate these remarkable achievements and the vibrant spirit of our community.
A propos de la Conférence
- Stratégies efficaces pour l'engagement des parties prenantes dans le développement durable
- Participation des parties prenantes à la conservation de l'environnement et à la gestion des ressources
- Engagement des communautés pour le développement social et économique
- Engagement des parties prenantes dans la planification et la conception urbaines durables
- Exploitation de la technologie et de l'innovation pour un engagement inclusif des parties prenantes
- Promotion des pratiques commerciales responsables grâce à la collaboration des parties prenantes
- Engagement de communautés autochtones dans les initiatives de développement durable
- Implication des parties prenantes dans les efforts d'adaptation et d'atténuation du changement climatique
- Engagement des jeunes et des générations futures pour le développement durable
- Engagement des parties prenantes dans le tourisme durable et la préservation culturelle
Le thème de cette conférence, « Développement durable - Engagement et participation des parties prenantes », vise à explorer l'engagement des parties prenantes et leur rôle crucial dans la réalisation des objectifs de développement durable, à la fois en Afrique et dans l'économie mondiale. Il met en évidence le passage du paradigme traditionnel de l'actionnaire au paradigme de la partie prenante, élargissant la discussion sur les responsabilités des entreprises dans le contexte africain tout en reconnaissant l'interdépendance de l'économie mondiale.