2025 Business Skills for PhDs: Nonprofit, foundation and philanthropies

Session overview: 

This session of Business Skills for PhDs will focus on the landscape and business models of nonprofits, foundations and philanthropies in the U.S. via a panel discussion. 

Format:

• Moderated Panel Discussion
• Audience Q&A
• Reception and Networking with panelists

Panelists:

• Aly Kassam-Remtulla, Vice Provost for International Affairs and Operations, Princeton University (formerly of the MacArthur Foundation)
• Colette Johnson (*18 ENG), Executive Director of Business Development and Strategy, Petey Greene Foundation
• Debbie Hart, President and CEO, BioNJ
• Elizabeth Christopherson, President and CEO, Rita Allen Foundation 

Moderator: James Van Wyck, Assistant Dean for Professional Development, GradFUTURES- Graduate School

Series Overview: Most people associate the term “business” with the private sector. However, business skills and models are widely applied in every sector: public, private and non-profit (which includes academia). You are acquiring many transferable skills in your Ph.D. program that can be applied in academic roles as well as within a variety of industries and job functions. 

Join the 2025 business skills for PhDs learning cohort to better understand foundational concepts and language of business. This learning cohort includes experiential learning in the form of group capstone presentations under guidance of alum mentors. The cohort will meet on Thursdays, 4:30-6:30PM between Sep 18- Nov 20 (except fall break). Registering to one session will automatically register you to all sessions. 

Broad Topics include:

• Purpose of business: managing stakeholders
• Business strategy
• Data science/ AI in business
• Leadership 
• Negotiation in organizations
• Business Finance
• Business Communications
• Business of higher education
• Business Models of Non-profits