In April, the New York Jobs CEO Council, a market-driven talent intermediary, partnered with CUNY Hunter College to host its 10th CEO Speaker Series in New York City. The “fireside chat” event featured Peter Zaffino, Chairman and CEO of American International Group, Inc, and Dr. Nancy Cantor, President, CUNY Hunter College, who participated in an intimate conversation on leadership, talent development, and the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to drive job creation.
The New York Jobs CEO Council launched the CEO Speaker Series in 2023 as a way to sharpen the commitments of its 28 CEOs by creating a tangible way for them to engage with local New York talent. Zaffino’s visit marks the 10th event in the series, which has brought together almost 1,000 students across six campuses.
“Peter Zaffino’s visit to Hunter College is a powerful reminder to CUNY talent that Fortune 500 CEOs are looking for a diverse skillset that students in Hunter have,” said Kiersten Barnet, Executive Director of the New York Jobs CEO Council. “As one of the world’s leading insurance companies, AIG needs a workforce that represents every customer that they serve.”
During Zaffino’s visit, he also met with campus faculty to better understand their needs and how industry can fill any gaps in career-connected learning.
“In order to be successful in today’s workforce, students must be given essential tools and skills that will give them a competitive edge post-graduation,” said Cantor. “Zaffino’s visit to Hunter College demonstrates that New York employers are looking for talent that is well prepared for the workforce; Hunter College is committed to ensuring that our curriculum meets the demands of employers.”
The event closed with a networking reception featuring AIG employee volunteers, who shared key insights from key areas of business, including information technology, financial-risk management, underwriting, claims, and culture and inclusion. They also provided them with meaningful connections and insights to guide them through the application process.
“At AIG, we believe in creating meaningful impact in the communities in which we live and work,” said Zaffino. “Our visit to Hunter College reflects how we support our communities, ensuring that local talent have direct pathways into high-paying careers.”
