Assistant Professor and Associate Dean Contributes Expertise for the Benefit of the Business Community

This fall, Mercy College School of Business Assistant Professor and Associate Dean Victor Petenkemani contributed his expertise in academia, business and leadership to key events organized by business organizations and educational institutions.

Petenkemani, who teaches economics, international business and corporate finance, and whose prior experience includes roles at Fortune 500 companies, was master of ceremonies at a gala event hosted by Westfair Communications for its annual C-Suite Awards. The October 2022 gathering celebrated the region’s most influential and innovative business leaders. In recent months he had served as a judge for the awards ceremony, which recognizes entrepreneurs for assets such as organizational effectiveness, leadership style and overall impact on the communities they serve. “We looked for individuals who are self-starters, people who defy the odds and overcome adversity to achieve their goals,” he said. “We also considered their commitment to diversity, education and inclusion programs and sustainable development goals, among other criteria.”

Additionally, the Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies at the University of Pennsylvania – Petenkemani’s alma mater – tapped his expertise during a conference hosted by the Lauder Institute Alumni Association. The Lauder Global Alumni Weekend, a sold-out event held in New York City in October, featured the global impact of Lauder alumni as presented by renowned speakers and multi-disciplinary panels. One of those panels was co-moderated by Petenkemani for a discussion on entrepreneurship.

Both events provided an opportunity for Mercy College to demonstrate its prominence in business education, leadership values and entrepreneurship. “On both local and international levels, Mercy is finding ways to address the challenges of a global, post-pandemic world,” he said. “In that regard, Mercy is becoming more well-known and in demand.”