Olafson Ethics Symposium
The purpose of the Olafson Ethics Symposium is to provide a platform for students and the business community to explore the importance of both personal and professional ethics.
This annual event is funded through the support of UND Alumnus Robert Olafson and his dedication to ethical business practices and the University of North Dakota. Additional funding support has also been provided by SEI Investments Company.
Topics and Speakers of the Past
| Year | Speaker |
|---|---|
| 2024 |
Erika Cheung - Ethics in Entrepreneurship |
| 2023 |
Kelly Caruso - The Harmony of Ethics, Values, and Happiness |
| 2022 |
Juliette Powell - Ethics of Technology |
| 2020 |
Chris Hilger - Ethics in Times of Crisis |
| 2019 |
Lisa Ellman - Ethical Perspectives within the UAS Industry |
| 2018 |
Mark Chipman - Ethics of Sports |
| 2017 |
Mara Liasson - National Political Correspondent for NPR |
| 2016 |
Greg Page - Retired Chairman and CEO, Cargill |
| 2015 |
Lenora Billings-Harris - consultant, speaker, and author of The Diversity Advantage: A Guide to making Diversity Work |
| 2014 |
Jordan Kassalow - Social entrepreneur, doctor of optometry |
| 2013 |
Christopher Bauer - Ethics expert, consultant |
| 2012 |
Ross Bernstein - Author, business speaker |
| 2011 |
Patrick Kuhse - Former stockbroker, convicted felon |
| 2010 | Barbara Ley Toffler - Former Harvard business professor, author of Final Accounting: Ambition, Greed, and the Fall of Arthur Andersen |
| 2009 |
Bill George - Former CEO, Medtronic; professor of management, Harvard; author |
| 2008 |
Bruce Weinstein, Ph.D. - "The Ethics Guy", journalist, author Dr. Steven Light and Dr. Kathryn Rand - UND faculty |
| 2007 | Bethany McLean - Journalist, co-author of The Smartest Guys in the Room: the Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall OF Enron |
| 2006 |
Ron James - President and CEO, Center for Ethical Business Cultures |
| 2005 |
Lynn Brewer - Author of Confessions of an Enron Executive, founder of Integrity Institute Tim Dordell - Associate general counsel, Ecolab |