economic panel
Bryant University, Rhode Island Foundation partner for virtual panel series, “Pandemic Economics: What does it mean for Rhode Island?”
Apr 29, 2020, by Staff Writer
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Media Contact: Cecilia Cooper, Director, Public Relations, Bryant University | 401-232-6932 | ccooper@bryant.edu

SMITHFIELD, RI – Bryant University and the Rhode Island Foundation are partnering on a series of moderated Zoom panel discussions with leaders and policy makers to help Rhode Islanders understand the economic impact of COVID-19 and how the state can move forward toward recovery and growth for all.

To follow are details on each event and distinguished panelists for “Pandemic Economics: What does it mean for Rhode Island?” The events are free and open to the public, but registration for each panel is required. Registration information here

A Time for Strategic Leadership | Monday, May 11, 10:00 a.m.

PANELIST BIOS HERE>>>

Moderator: Edward Fitzpatrick, covering Rhode Island for The Boston Globe 

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“A well-designed policy must leverage factors that promote economic resilience and growth.”

COVID-19 and Public Finances in Rhode Island | Wednesday, May 27, 10:00 a.m.

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  • Michael DiBiase, President and CEO, Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council

  • Paul Dion, Ph.D.Chief, Office of Revenue Analysis, Rhode Island Department of Revenue

  • Gary Sasse, Director, Bryant University Hassenfeld Institute for Public Leadership

  • Jeffrey Thompson, Ph.D., Economist and Vice President, New England Public Policy Center, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston,

Host: Ronald K. Machtley, President, Bryant University 

Moderator: Margie O'Brien ReedBroadcast Journalist, Director, RI Capitol TV

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"It is critically important for state leaders to pull together and find innovative ways to move the state through this crisis and beyond.”

COVID-19, Jobs and Sectoral Changes | Monday, June 8, 10:00 a.m.

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Welcome and closing remarks:

Ross Gittell, Ph.D., Economist and Incoming President of Bryant University, will provide a summary of the panel series

Moderator: John Kostrzewa, former Business Editor, Providence Journal; Adjunct Professor, English and Cultural Studies, Bryant University

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"As educators, we at Bryant are pleased to be a part of this effort to help people better understand the impact of this crisis on the state’s economy as leaders develop policies that will have an impact on all."

“The Rhode Island economy has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. As educators, we at Bryant are pleased to be a part of this effort to help people better understand the impact of this crisis on the state’s economy as leaders develop policies that will have an impact on all,” says Bryant University President Ronald K. Machtley, former U.S. Congressman, and longtime member and past President of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council Board of Directors. “A well-designed policy must leverage factors that promote economic resilience and growth.”

"As the state's community foundation, the well-being of our neighbors of all ages and walks of life is our highest priority, and we will take steps to help develop programs that will enable people to bridge this hardship and forge a path to a successful recovery.” 

“With so many individuals and businesses in Rhode Island struggling, and growing unemployment, it is critically important for state leaders to pull together and find innovative ways to move the state through this crisis and beyond,” said Rhode Island Foundation President and CEO Neil D. Steinberg. “As the state's community foundation, the well-being of our neighbors of all ages and walks of life is our highest priority, and we will take steps to help develop programs that will enable people to bridge this hardship and forge a path to a successful recovery.” 

Topics for discussion

Topics for this series of panel discussions will include: what public, private, non-profit, and higher education leaders can do to help ensure a strong recovery; lessons from the 2008-09 recession that can be leveraged to avoid lagging regional and national recovery; state and local revenues, budgets, spending and the effect on the economy; what shape the recovery will take; how long it will take for businesses to reopen and to start to recover jobs; which sectors will/could lead the recovery and which sectors will take a long(er) time to recover.

About Bryant University 

For 157 yearsBryant University has been at the forefront of delivering an exceptional education that anticipates the future and prepares students to be innovative leaders of character in a changing world. Located on a contemporary campus in Smithfield, R.I., Bryant enrolls approximately 3800 undergraduate students from 38 states and 49 countries. Bryant is recognized as a leader in international education and regularly receives top rankings from U.S. News and World Report, Money, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Wall Street Journal, College Factual, and Barron's. Visit www.Bryant.edu

About the Rhode Island Foundation

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Working with generous and visionary donors, the Foundation raised $47 million and awarded a record $56 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities in 2019. Through leadership, fundraising and grant-making activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.

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