A group of students and faculty joined global thought and policy leaders.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (February 23, 2026) – In January, a delegation of 10 Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) students, accompanied by faculty and alumni, participated in the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, marking a rare achievement for undergraduate and graduate students at the prestigious global event. The group was led by Dr. Alexandra C. Cook, CPA, associate professor of accounting, and Dr. Ciprian Stan, professor of management, and included six MBA and undergraduate students in the AACSB-accredited Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. College of Business at PBA. In what was a first for the University, the students presented cutting-edge research on critical global issues like water resources, nuclear energy, brain health, stable coins, tokenization, and clean energy.
“Thought leaders in Davos continually stress the importance of engaging the next generation in the dialogue, but members of that generation are typically absent from those conversations,” said Dr. Cook. “Our students were wholeheartedly welcomed, invited to speak, and asked to be a part of forming global communities. It’s a win for the forum, while providing our students with unparalleled exposure to global thought leaders, real-world applications of their research, and elevated opportunities here in The Palm Beaches, a major hub for private market investors and fund managers.”
PBA students were among the youngest participants in the WEF Open Forum. The WEF Open Forum is an event that allows a broader audience to participate in the activities of World Economic Forum, and it gave our students access to engage directly with industry leaders and policymakers. The students conducted and presented their research through the lens of free enterprise and emerging technologies in partnership with the Altru Institute—a New York-based think tank—with plans to publish their findings.
“We are incredibly proud of our students who represented Palm Beach Atlantic University on the global stage in Davos,” said Dr. Debra A. Schwinn, president of PBA. “This extraordinary opportunity exemplifies our commitment to developing Christian servant leaders who engage with the most critical issues of our time.”
Notable Highlights
Six students presented research on Friday, January 23, during a roundtable discussion titled “Family Office Investors Engaging NextGen in Research and Global Dialogue,” hosted by Mariam Azarm and Brett Johnson of the Altru Institute. PBA research presenters included students Trent Holloway, Carter Maynard, Matthew Mazza, J. Michael Pierce, Dr. Dana Strachan, and Richard Strother. Family office investment speakers from the PBA delegation included Dr. Cook, alumni Thaddeus Cook, and PBA Parent Peter Pomponio. The non-research portion of the roundtable included participation by PBA students Nicholas Pomponio, Justin Popianos, and Stanford Penrod. Also part of the PBA delegation was alumni Victor Cook, IV, William Labrinos, and Fabrizio Parraga and student Leanna Carlson. This year’s inaugural trip was paired with a course on Family Offices and Private Marketing Investing, a pilot offering for future curriculum in this area.
Strother, an MBA student and investor in clean oil and gas technology, spoke twice in Davos. On Wednesday, January 21 he spoke on a panel titled “Future of Venezuela: Transition & Rebuild,” also hosted by the Altru Institute in partnership with the House of Pioneers.
“We are hoping to make the Davos experience an annual opportunity for our students,” Dr. Cook added. “The connections, insights, and confidence gained from this experience will serve them throughout their careers as they work to create positive change in the world.”
About Palm Beach Atlantic University
Palm Beach Atlantic University, founded in 1968, is a private, Christian university, offering 100 different programs and pathways, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The University has a 19-acre campus in West Palm Beach and an Orlando campus, and the 76-acre Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Athletic Campus provides facilities for training and hosting intercollegiate sports. Sailfish athletes compete in 18 NCAA Division II and Sunshine State Conference varsity sports. PBA’s mission is to equip students to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction, and serve God boldly. The University affirms the values that have built American society, including religious liberty and the free enterprise system. Learn more at pba.edu.
