Michael Kramer

International finance guru and California State University Northridge alumnus Michael Kramer launches this semester’s Distinguished Speaker Series in CSUN’s David Nazarian College of Business and Economics on Wednesday, March 6.

Kramer, CEO and founding partner of Ducera Partners, an internationally recognized boutique investment bank, will talk about his career in international finance and his time at the university as a student. He will also discuss what helped launch his career in the business world.

“We find it particularly valuable when our speakers are alumni, because they can be really inspirational examples for our students,” said Courtney McIntyre, executive director of development and external relations for the Nazarian College. “It’s important for students to see how another Matador sat where they are and has now made a fantastic career for themselves.”

Throughout his career, Kramer led some of the largest and most prominent investment transactions in history. They include the $70-billion sale of the Monsanto company to Bayer A.G., the current restructuring of PG&E – worth more than $35 billion – and the sales of iHeart Radio ($20 billion), and Neiman Marcus ($5 billion).

Past speakers have included Henry Cisneros, former U.S. secretary of Housing and Urban Development during the Clinton administration; Jane Wurwand, founder of Dermalogica, the largest professional skincare brand in the world; alumnus Steve Rabuchin ’85 (Organizational Systems Management), vice president for Amazon Alexa Voice Services and Alexa Skills; and alumnus Michael Grillo ’71 (Business Administration), executive producer on movies such as Marvel Studio’s “Avengers: Infinity War.”

“Our goal is to show that Matadors operate in the highest echelons of business with great success, and that every student has that same opportunity,” said McIntyre.

Kramer, who graduated from CSUN in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in finance began his career at Houlihan Lowkey Howard & Zukin in LA, where he served as managing director from 1990-2001. Both his father, mother and sister are also CSUN alumni. During the Nazarian College 50^thAnniversary Gala Celebration, Kramer was a major sponsor and was selected as one the college’s “Fab 50” alumni for the celebration.

Kramer’s talk is scheduled to take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Grand Salon in CSUN’s University Student Union, located on the east side of campus off Zelzah Avenue. At the end of his presentation there will be a Q&A with the audience.

The event is open to the public, but seating is limited. To register to attend, visit: https://csunbusiness.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ezymGt0ZPYP5UO1

Alumni, David Nazarian College of Business and Economics, Students