Penn State Forum
Current Series
Jim Jimirro
Former Chairman and CEO of the Walt Disney Television and Telecommunications
Date: September 26, 2025
Location: Nittany Lion Inn, Boardroom
- 11:30-12 pm buffet lunch
- 12 pm – 1 pm speaking event
Jim is the former Chairman and CEO of the Walt Disney Television and Telecommunications division, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s television and media presence. Throughout his career, he has earned recognition for his leadership and innovative approaches in entertainment and technology.
As a passionate advocate for higher education, Jim’s philanthropic work has greatly impacted Penn State, where he continues to make a difference through strategic initiatives and donations that support students, faculty, and academic excellence.
During this special event, Jim will share his personal journey, experiences in the entertainment world, and his vision for the future of business and media. While the specifics of his talk are still being finalized, this will be an inspiring and thought-provoking opportunity to hear from one of our most accomplished alumni.
Stay tuned for more details on the date, time, and topic of Jim’s talk!
Caroline Fitzgerald
Founder and CEO of GOALS - a consultancy & media platform dedicated to growing women’s sports.
Date: October 13, 2025
Location: Penn Stater, Deans Hall
- 11:30-12 pm buffet lunch
- 12 pm – 1 pm speaking event
Barbie, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and the Inevitable Prosperity of Women’s Sports
The examples of Barbie, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift have undeniably proven that when women consumers are prioritized, profits soar. And when it comes to an entertainment product, women’s sports are perfectly positioned to serve an historically underserved female audience. This talk will make “the business case for women’s sports” and discuss how women’s sports are at a tipping point and are poised for incredible growth ahead.
As the founder of GOALS, a transformative organization focused on leadership coaching, skill-building, and goal setting, Caroline has worked with a diverse range of clients to help them unlock their full potential. Her work spans industries and has made a significant impact on youth empowerment, corporate leadership, and community development. Her unique perspective on mindset and performance has earned her recognition as a thought leader in personal development.
Pearl Gluck
Penn State Laureate
February 2026 (date and location TBD)
Pear celebrates the intersection of storytelling, culture, and social impact. An award-winning filmmaker, professor, and advocate for justice, Pearl brings a unique voice to Penn State and to the broader creative community.
Pearl’s work explores complex issues of identity, gender, faith, and equity through the lens of powerful, human-centered narratives. Her films have screened at Sundance, Tribeca, and PBS, and she continues to use storytelling as a platform for dialogue and transformation. As a faculty member in the School of Theatre and the Bellisario College of Communications, she inspires students across disciplines to find their voice and purpose.
As Penn State Laureate, Pearl has engaged communities across the Commonwealth in conversations that bridge the arts, social justice, and education. While the specific theme of her campus talk is still being finalized, attendees can look forward to a thought-provoking experience that reflects her commitment to creativity, inclusion, and public engagement.
Stay tuned for more details on the date and talk of Pearl’s visit!
Ryan Newman
Penn State Alum and Managing Director at Goldman Sachs
April 2026 (date and location TBD)
Ryan L. Newman is a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, where he co-founded and co-leads a private wealth management team, managing in excess of $14 billion on behalf of Fortune 500 executives, Forbes 400 families, entrepreneurs, family offices and foundations and endowments. Newman is a member of the PWM Top Advisors and PWM Advisors Council, representing the top 10% of advisors globally at Goldman Sachs. He joined Goldman Sachs as a financial analyst in 2001 and was named a Managing Director in 2019.
Newman is a graduate of the Smeal College of Business, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics and a minor in Philosophy, with honors from the Schreyer Honors College in 2001, and served as Student Marshal for Economics during graduation. While at Penn State, Newman was awarded one of the first travel research thesis grants, working at a United Nations-sponsored Demography institute in Cameroon. He conducted his thesis research on Fertility Transition, which was subsequently accepted for presentation at the Population Association of America Conference in Washington, D.C.
Newman is the host of the Invent Penn State podcast, Dare to Disrupt, which he helped launch, and has achieved over 50,000 downloads. The podcast interviews successful Penn State Alumni who are innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders, and the stories behind their success. Ryan’s remarks will center on his reflections interviewing over forty Penn State entrepreneurial leaders and insights he’s gleaned during the past four years as the podcast host.
Suggest a Speaker
We would enjoy hearing your ideas! If you have suggestions for future Penn State Forum speakers, please contact Forum coordinator Cassie Marsh-Caldwell.