Brookings Executive Education (BEE) hosted Executive MBA students from Olin’s Shanghai program at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., November 30 – December 2. The three day program included visits to the Chinese Embassy and presentations from several speakers including Associate Dean and Director of BEE, Jackson Nickerson. The Shanghai EMBA program is in partnership with Fudan University’s School of Management.

The Washington EMBA residency closed with a presentation from Carol Browner, former director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy in the Obama administration (2009 – 2011), and Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the Clinton administration (1993 – 2001). Browner provided a brief history of the EPA and its mission. She also discussed the challenges and successes during her time in both administrations and the current global environmental challenges.

One Executive MBA student who is currently splitting his time between Shanghai and San Francisco was excited to have an opportunity to hear from an expert on creating and implementing environmental regulations.  “Hearing firsthand how environmental changes were implemented provides insight on how to strategically go about implementing and upholding regulations. The focus on making businesses accountable and to make environmental issues more transparent is invaluable.”

In addition to the speakers and presentations, students also attended a reception with WashU alumni. Graduates from 1972 to as recent as 2011 mingled with Fudan students discussing everything from the best places to eat in Washington D.C. to opportunities for companies to collaborate on upcoming projects.

After their time in D.C., the Fudan students traveled to New York City and on to St. Louis where they will graduate Dec. 11.

Image: Carol Browner at the Brookings Institution