The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business has announced that Chris Hughes will be the guest speaker of the Joseph Handleman Lecture Series. The event will take place Feb. 22 at 5:30 p.m. in Ross’ Robertson Auditorium.

As the co-founder of the world’s largest social networking site, Hughes is a forward thinker among the millennial generation with a strong entrepreneurial background. In his presentation, “Silicon Valley Contagion: How the Practices and Principles of Entrepreneurship are Changing Business, Government, and Society,” Hughes will discuss how the Silicon Valley approach has transformed business, government and society from his unique perspective as a high-profile entrepreneur and digital thought leader. It will be a Q&A-style discussion moderated by Michigan Ross Dean Alison Davis-Blake and a reception will follow. They can also follow the event in real time on Twitter using the hashtag #UmichTalks.

In addition to his contribution to Facebook, Hughes is the Founder and Executive Director of Jumo, a nonprofit social network organization and a member of UNAIDS’ High Level Commission, which leads social and political campaigns to support HIV prevention programs. He also was instrumental in President Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, bringing his social media and organizing skills to successful use.

Michigan Ross launched the Handleman Lecture Series in 2013 through the generosity of the Joseph and Sally Handleman Charitable Foundation. The series features some of the nation’s top executives as they discuss hot-button topics along with their personal and professional journey. Past speakers include Mark Fields, COO of Ford Motor Company; and Sallie Krawcheck, former CEO of Smith Barney and CFO of Citigroup. The event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information on this and other events, visit michiganross.umich.edu.

About Michigan Ross
The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan is a vibrant and distinctive learning community grounded in the principle that business can be an extraordinary vehicle for positive change in today's dynamic global economy. The Ross School of Business mission is to develop leaders who make a positive difference in the world. Through thought and action, members of the Ross community drive change and innovation that improves business and society.

Ross is consistently ranked among the world's leading business schools. Academic degree programs include the BBA, MBA, Part-time MBA (Evening and Weekend formats), Executive MBA, Global MBA, Master of Accounting, Master of Supply Chain Management, Master of Management, and PhD. In addition, the school delivers open-enrollment and custom executive education programs targeting general management, leadership development, and strategic human resource management.