Lunch with a Leader
Reporter Talks "Fake News" and Alumni Give Early Career Advice
The spring semester Lunch with a Leader series featured Phil LeBeau P'18, Emmy Award-winning reporter from CNBC, who arrived on campus just as the term 鈥渇ake news鈥� became part of our narrative, and Ken '95 and Won Young Giuriceo '95, a husband-wife duo who shared early career advice and the importance of the work-life balance.
Not surprisingly, students wanted to hear LeBeau鈥檚 thoughts about the president鈥檚 use of the term 鈥渇ake news,鈥� which he has directed toward the mainstream media. LeBeau stated that the relationship between the White House and the media has become strained, as the term definitely undermines the work of people who are dedicated to researching and presenting the news. While acknowledging that reporters are likely to present their stories based on personal biases, the elements of fact and truth will always be there. However, he believes that the responsibility remains with the receiver to decide whether they believe the facts or not, and that their interpretation, like the reporters', will be formed by their own personal biases. These differences and interpretations, he surmised, encourage meaningful dialogue between people.
1995 Carroll School graduates Ken and Won Young Giuriceo returned to the Heights to talk about transitioning from academic life to work life. Ken, a partner at private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC (CD&R), reflected on his not-so-fond memories of participating in group projects as a student, and how upon entering the workforce realizing that those group projects and dynamics were actually preparing him for real life. Won, who spent 13 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, advised students that they should take classes that they were interested in regardless of their major or what their parents or professors would think. She said they should seize the opportunity to do so now because there may never be another opportunity. Ken agreed, stating that classes in philosophy and theology that encourage critical thinking and open-ended discussions will serve students well as they navigate life post-college.
Students were particularly interested in hearing about how the Giuriceos balance professional and personal life. Won acknowledged that it is almost impossible to do so 50-50, and upon realizing this decided to focus on family versus career. However, through social connections like the parent association at her children鈥檚 school and other neighborhood groups, she has been able to reinvent her career and use her professional skills to serve as treasurer on boards such as for the One Love Foundation,聽where she currently holds that position. In acknowledging the low numbers of females in private equity firms, Ken cited the perceived lack of work-life balance as a main reason women don鈥檛 apply for positions in such companies. However, he said that firms like CD&R are committed to hiring more females, and are adopting more flexible policies and relying on technology to make work-life balance more achievable for not only women but men as well.