Reflecting on 25 Years of the Forum on Ethical Leadership

For a quarter of a century, the American College Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics in Financial Services has supported executives in thinking critically about ethical issues and their impact on clients, institutions, and society. Through the Forum on Ethical Leadership in Financial Services, the Center for Ethics in Financial Services provides executives with a confidential space for reflection, dialogue, and shared learning.

This convening brings together thought leaders, academics, and industry practitioners for timely, relevant, and substantive discussions on the ethical questions shaping financial services. Grounded in the Center’s mission to elevate ethical behavior across the profession, the Forum advances ethical understanding, research, and dialogue while reinforcing the connection between ethical values and sound business practices.

The Forum has remained a cornerstone program of the Center, evolving alongside the industry while maintaining its original purpose. Its continued relevance reflects not only the strength of its foundation, but also the sustained institutional support and stewardship that have allowed the Forum to endure and adapt as ethical challenges continue to emerge.

This year’s Forum provided an opportunity not only to mark this anniversary milestone, but also to recognize longtime steward and ethics leader, Jim Mitchell. Mitchell has provided philanthropic support to the American College for nearly three decades. Notably, the Mitchell family’s generous contributions since 2001 have enabled the Forum’s continuity and impact.  

An alumnus of The American College, Mitchell currently serves on the President’s Advisory Council and is co-chair of the Center for Ethics Advisory Council. Mitchell was recognized by Ethisphere in 2008 as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics, reflecting a sustained commitment to ethical practice. During this year’s Forum, he was presented with a commemorative crystal award and a memory photo book from the Center in recognition of his stewardship and support. This recognition reflects the collective effort behind the Forum’s 25-year history and emphasizes the importance of continuity in advancing ethical leadership initiatives.

As the Center looks to the future, we are grateful for the community of supporters who have sustained this work and look forward to building on this strong institutional foundation in the years ahead.

More on the Mitchell/The American College Forum on Ethical Leadership in Financial Services  

Stay tuned for the forthcoming Perspectives report. In the interim, we invite you to download the full 2025 report.