2023 Commencement Speakers Announced for USC Marshall and Leventhal (2024)

Cathie Wood ’81, chief executive officer and chief investment officer of ARK Investment Management LLC, will address the undergraduate Class of 2023.

When the news turns to finance and investing, ARK is invariably in the headlines. Focused solely on disruptive innovation, ARK aims to identify large-scale investment opportunities in the public and private markets resulting from technological innovations.

“I am excited to speak at USC's Commencement to congratulate its graduating class and encourage them to ‘seize the day’ in transforming the world,” said Cathie Wood. “Under the leadership of Dean Garrett, the Marshall School of Business has positioned its students to create and capitalize on the profound convergences among five innovation platforms — artificial intelligence, multiomic sequencing, robotics, energy storage, and public blockchains — that will disrupt the traditional world order during the next five to 10 years.”

Marshall Undergraduate Ceremony:
Friday, May 12, 2023 at 11:15 AM
Doors open at 10:15 AM
Galen Center – LINK | MAP

Kevin Plank, founder, executive chairman, and brand chief of Under Armour, will address the graduating students from across Marshall graduate programs, including MBAs and specialized master’s degree students.

Plank founded the iconic athletic wear brand in 1996, not long after he graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in business administration. He sold his first shirt out of his car, and by the end of the year had made $17,000 in sales. Today Under Armour has a market capitalization of nearly $4 billion.

“I am truly excited and looking forward to the opportunity to speak with the Class of 2023 next month at the Marshall School Commencement Ceremony. I hope to impart on them some of the things that I’ve learned over the last 28 years and inspire them to always Fight On!”

Marshall Graduate Ceremony:
Friday, May 12, 2023 at 6:30 PM
Galen Center – LINK | MAP

Peter Griffith is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Amgen. He joined Amgen in October 2019 and became CFO in January 2020. Amgen is a global leader in biopharma, and a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Prior roles to Amgen included President of Sherwood Canyon Group , LLC; senior roles at EY; and Managing Director of the Investment Banking Division at Wedbush Securities.

“USC will always hold a very special place in my life, as will the incredible faculty I studied under, including Dean Holder and Dr. Jack Larsen,” he said. “If I can share something of value with the graduates that is even a modest fraction of what Dean Holder and Dr. Larsen shared with me, I will be satisfied with the opportunity.”

Leventhal Ceremony:
Friday, May 12, 2023 at 2:30 PM
Brittingham Field – LINK | MAP