Joe Ucuzoglu, Deloitte Global CEO, addressed students and faculty at Hunter College as part of the New York Jobs CEO Council's CEO Speaker Series on May 1.
The event featured a fireside chat between Mr. Ucuzoglu and Hunter College President Ann Kirschner, discussing topics such as leadership, talent development, and the collaboration between the public and private sectors in driving job creation. Mr. Ucuzoglu’s visit also included a meeting with campus leadership and faculty where they discussed how to better prepare students for their careers.
“At Deloitte, we are committed to developing a workforce that’s diverse, talented, technically skilled, resilient, and ready for continuous learning at a pace that matches the ever-changing needs of our world,” said Mr. Ucuzoglu. “This is why Deloitte looks to institutions like Hunter College as a source of talent. Providing equitable access to opportunity and embracing diversity is vital for the future.”
Launched in 2020, the New York Jobs CEO Council (Jobs Council) is an organization that represents the commitment of nearly 30 CEOs of the largest employers in New York, including Mr. Ucuzoglu. These leaders collectively pledged to hire 100,000 low-income New Yorkers by 2030, including 25,000 from the City University of New York (CUNY). Since 2022, members of the Jobs Council have hired nearly 30,000 jobseekers within the target group, with nearly 6,000 of those graduating from CUNY. The CEO Speaker Series supports this mission, connecting influential business leaders with students and faculty in the city’s public university system.
“Hosting esteemed leaders like Mr. Ucuzoglu is an important element of our initiatives to advance students’ career readiness,” said Dr. Ann Kirschner, President of Hunter College. “We strive to forge connections between our students and influential figures, knowing the immense value that this dialogue brings to their professional journey. Partnering with the Jobs Council’s CEO Speaker Series aligns perfectly with our mission, creating a strong foundation for our students’ future success.”
Following the fireside chat, students had the opportunity to network with Deloitte leadership, including CUNY alum Roger G. Arrieux Jr., East Region Market Leader and New York Managing Partner, Deloitte LLP.
“At Deloitte, our people are our greatest asset, and we work to provide a culture of opportunity for all,” said Mr. Arrieux. “We are committed to hiring the best talent that represents the diversity of our clients; that diversity fosters highly valued innovation and creativity. Our visit to Hunter College is meaningful, as we hope to inspire students as they consider their future careers.”
As a member of the New York Jobs CEO Council, Deloitte has been an active champion of removing barriers to entry into high paying careers through skills-based training initiatives. For example, Deloitte participates in the Jobs Council’s apprenticeship program, which pipelines community college students into in-demand entry-level roles. Deloitte has also been active across CUNY campuses to help spread awareness of careers in consulting and accounting, most recently hosting a networking session at Hunter College on April 16th.
“At the Jobs Council we know exceptional talent is what makes exceptional companies,” said Kiersten Barnet, Executive Director of the New York Jobs CEO Council. “Hunter College is home to students from more than 155 countries, and Deloitte is a global company that operates in more than 150 countries, making Joe’s visit to the campus critical to Deloitte’s mission to hire talent that best represents the organization.”
