Brandeis IBS' NABE Chapter met with George Soros (fourth from left), chairman of Soros Fund Management

October 13 to 16 more than 30 members of the Brandeis University chapter of the National Association of Business Economics (NABE) attended the organization’s 54th annual meeting in New York City.

Brandeis had the largest number of student representatives of any university, exemplifying the strength of a chapter that was founded by Anna Kovalenko MA ’13 just eight months ago. The theme of the conference, held just steps away from Wall Street, was “Bridging the Gap Between Finance and the Real Economy”—a timely topic, warranting discussion from a mixture of financial, economic, and legal experts such as George Soros and New York Federal Reserve President/CEO William Dudley.

Several recurring themes of the conference included a continued discussion of the economic situation in Europe, the need for more effective financial regulation, and the potential ensuing fixed income bubble. Ample networking sessions provided an opportunity for students to engage in one-on-one conversations with experts and senior NABE members. Students were even able to meet and take a photograph with Soros, founder of the Open Society Foundation and winner of NABE’s Adam Smith Award this year.

Brandeis’ NABE chapter, which currently includes 110 members and consists primarily of Brandeis International Business School (IBS) students, is the fastest growing chapter of the national organization. Students take part in national NABE events, and also organize career and education events and conduct research within Brandeis. The next annual conference will be in San Francisco in September 2013.