On Monday, November 10, Vanderbilt University hosted a major convening of the World Economic Forum in Nashville, assembling leaders from government, business, academia, and civil society for a comprehensive dialogue on regional leadership amid evolving global dynamics. The event, titled “Regional Leadership in a New Global Context,” examined transformative trends influencing workforce development, energy systems, health care innovation, technology, and national security.
The gathering underscored Vanderbilt’s growing role as a hub for policy dialogue, research, and cross-sector collaboration. Sessions took place at Carmichael College and aligned with the university’s mission to foster informed discourse and strengthen networks among decision-makers shaping the future.
The program opened with a networking breakfast and welcoming remarks by Paul Smyke, head of regional agenda at the World Economic Forum, and Darren Reisberg, Vanderbilt’s vice chancellor for administration. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee delivered keynote comments on how states can act as catalysts for economic growth and innovation in times of political and economic flux.
Chancellor Daniel Diermeier then engaged in a conversation with Sam Feist, BA’91 and CEO of C-SPAN, focusing on the evolving landscape of higher education. They discussed institutional trust, academic freedom, and universities’ responsibility in cultivating future leaders. The session included an interactive Q&A, reflecting broad interest in Vanderbilt’s contributions to educational reform.
Panel discussions throughout the day addressed pressing national issues. The session “AI Prescription for Healthcare” brought together health secretaries from North Carolina, Illinois, and Wisconsin, leaders from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and industry executives to assess artificial intelligence’s potential and risks in medicine. Topics included innovation governance, patient confidence, and strategies for scaling AI applications through public-private cooperation.
Another panel, “Future-Proofing America’s Talent Pipeline,” explored how regional governments can adapt to rapid technological change and shifting labor demands. Participants stressed the need to align training programs with emerging industries, improve education-to-employment pathways, and build collaborative frameworks to address workforce gaps.
In “Building America’s Future Energy,” energy executives, state agency officials, and academic experts analyzed pathways to meet increasing energy needs while advancing affordability, reliability, and sustainability. Discussions covered infrastructure modernization, regulatory coordination between state and federal levels, and the private sector’s role in driving clean energy innovation.
Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and Vanderbilt professor Jon Meacham provided historical context during a working lunch, reflecting on periods of national crisis and how current political debates reflect deeper questions about the nation’s purpose. His remarks were broadcast by C-SPAN.
The event concluded with a panel on U.S. national security challenges, moderated by Julian Barnes of The New York Times. Experts in cybersecurity, biosecurity, defense, and public policy assessed threats ranging from infrastructure vulnerabilities to international tensions, emphasizing the importance of interagency and private-sector coordination.
Representatives from Vanderbilt and the World Economic Forum closed the program by highlighting the value of sustained, cross-sector engagement in building resilient communities and economies.
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Vanderbilt University hosts global policy, business and academic leaders for World Economic Forum program on regional leadership
Vanderbilt University served as the convening host for a major World Economic Forum gathering on Monday, Nov. 10, bringing leaders from government, industry, academia and civil society to Nashville for a full day of discussion on how states and regions can navigate a rapidly changing national and global environment. The program, “Regional Leadership in a New Global Context,” explored emerging trends shaping the future of workforce development, energy, health care, technology and national security. n nThe forum is part of Vanderbilt’s deepening engagement with global issues and its expanding role as a nexus for policymaking, research and innovation. Sessions were held at Vanderbilt’s Carmichael College and aligned with the university’s mission to foster informed dialogue and strengthen connections among leaders shaping the future of their fields. n nHigh-level program explores the forces reshaping America n nThe day began with a networking breakfast and a joint welcome from Paul Smyke, head of the regional agenda at the World Economic Forum, and Darren Reisberg, Vanderbilt’s vice chancellor for administration. Nathan Green, vice chancellor for government and community relations, introduced Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, who delivered opening remarks on how states can position themselves as engines of growth and innovation amid shifting political and economic dynamics. n nChancellor Daniel Diermeier then joined Sam Feist, BA’91, CEO of C-SPAN, for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of higher education. Their discussion examined how universities can maintain trust, champion free expression and play a vital role in preparing the next generation of leaders. A robust audience-led Q&A followed, reflecting strong interest in Vanderbilt’s leadership in higher-education reform. n nPanels highlight AI in health care, workforce development and the future of energy n nThroughout the day, attendees participated in sessions featuring senior officials from state governments, national health leaders, executives of major corporations and academic experts. n nIn the “AI Prescription for Healthcare” session, the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence in medicine were discussed by panelists including state health secretaries from North Carolina, Illinois and Wisconsin; leaders from Vanderbilt University Medical Center; and senior industry executives. The conversation focused on innovation, patient trust, governance and strategies for scaling the impact of health AI through effective public-private collaboration. n nThe “Future-Proofing America’s Talent Pipeline” panel examined how states can respond to accelerating technological change and evolving labor market needs. Participants emphasized the importance of aligning workforce development with emerging economic sectors, strengthening pathways from learning to employment and fostering cross-sector partnerships to reduce talent shortages. n nIn “Building America’s Future Energy,” leaders from across the energy landscape—spanning private companies, state energy agencies and academia—explored how the U.S. can meet rising energy demand and transition to a more secure, affordable and sustainable system. Discussions addressed infrastructure expansion, state-federal regulatory dynamics and the role of industry in accelerating innovation. n nJon Meacham offers a historical perspective n nDuring a working lunch, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and Vanderbilt professor Jon Meacham led a timely discussion of the current political moment and how the nation has navigated past periods of upheaval. Meacham reflected on what he has described as a moment when Americans are debating not only the mechanisms of politics but its very purpose—placing today’s challenges within the broader arc of U.S. history. C-SPAN covered Meacham’s remarks on their network. n nConcluding panel discusses environment of rising national security threats n nThe day concluded with a panel on the increasingly complex U.S. security landscape, moderated by Julian Barnes of The New York Times. Leaders in cybersecurity, biosecurity, public affairs and national defense examined emerging threats facing states—from infrastructure vulnerabilities to geopolitical tensions—and identified opportunities for collaboration across government and the private sector. n nThe conversation continues n nThe program closed with reflections from Vanderbilt and World Economic Forum representatives, who emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration across sectors to shape a more resilient and prosperous future.