An Evening with Dean James Bullard: The Federal Reserve

IHS Member: Free, Guest: $5

The Federal Reserve is the central bank of the United States. This robust system is managed through monetary policy put forth by Federal Reserve Bank presidents around the nation. James Bullard, current Dean of the Mitch Daniels School of Business at Purdue University and one of the nation’s foremost economists, was one of those policymakers for fifteen years.

Come hear from Dean Bullard himself as he shares his experiences with the Federal Reserve, his insights as an economist, and his reflections on the legacy of the Federal Reserve as we approach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Dean Bullard will be joined in conversation by Rafael Sanchez, EVP, Chief Impact Officer & Indianapolis Market President at Old National Bank.

Following the conversation, there will be a dessert reception.

About James Bullard

Jim Bullard, former president of Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and one of the nation’s foremost economists and respected scholar-leaders, was chosen in July 2023 as the inaugural dean of the reimagined Mitch Daniels School of Business at Purdue University. 

Bullard is charged with inspiring, further developing and implementing Purdue’s reimagined approach to a top-ranked business school across undergraduate, graduate, executive and research programs, preparing tomorrow’s business leaders and entrepreneurs in the Daniels School that is grounded in the principles of free enterprise, free market economy in generating opportunities and prosperity, and in the hallmarks of a well-rounded Purdue education and with a particular emphasis on tech-driven, analytics-based business success.  

Serving 15 years as the sitting president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Bullard earned significant praise and accolades for his long-standing leadership and innovative thinking as part of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) in guiding the direction of U.S. monetary policy. A noted economist and scholar, Bullard had been the longest-serving Federal Reserve Bank president in the country and ranked as the seventh-most influential economist in the world in 2014.  

About Rafael Sanchez

Rafael Sanchez serves an Old National Bank’s executive management team as EVP, Chief Impact Officer & Indianapolis Market President. Previously, Rafael served as President of Private Banking throughout Old National’s entire corporate footprint. Old National Bank is headquartered in Evansville, with over $70 billion in assets, it is a top 100 U.S. Bank, and the largest Indiana-based bank. Rafael is an attorney and former President and CEO of Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL, now AES), a utility that provides retail electric service to more than 490,000 customers primarily in Indianapolis as well as portions of other Central Indiana communities.

Prior to his presidency at IPL, Rafael was Vice President of Business Development & Legal Affairs for Fineline Printing Group. Prior to that, he was a partner at the law firm Bingham Greenebaum Doll, LLP. A native of Puerto Rico, Rafael moved to Indiana in 1996 in pursuit of a law degree. He is a highly respected business and community leader making significant strides in civic engagement since moving to Indianapolis in 2002.

Through his commitment and passion for the Indianapolis community, Rafael has served on several important boards and community initiatives. Rafael currently serves as Board Chair for Community Health Network and served as Co-Chair for the Indianapolis 2024 NBA All-Star Game, Past President of the Crossroads BSA (Boy Scouts) Council, former Secretary for the Indy Championship Fund and Immediate-Past Chairman of the Board of United Way of Central Indiana. He also currently serves as Past Chairman of the Board of Indiana Latino Institute, as well as serves on several other nonprofit boards. Previously, Rafael served as Co-Chair for the United Way of Central Indiana’s Community Engagement, as well as Treasurer and Secretary of the Indy Chamber. In September 2017, the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash award was bestowed upon Rafael by Governor Eric Holcomb for his long-standing civic engagement efforts as a leader in the Indianapolis community.

Rafael holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and Political Science from the University of Puerto Rico and a law degree from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law

This event is presented by Old National Bank