Diane C. Swonk
Senior Managing Director and Chief Economist, Mesirow Financial

As one of the most sought-after economists in the world, Diane is called upon by policymakers and business leaders from Washington to Tokyo. Diane joined Mesirow Financial after 19 years with Bank One Corporation and its predecessors, most recently as director of economics/chief economist and senior vice president. Diane has earned many awards over her career. She was designated “Business Leader of the Year” by the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, named a Fellow of NABE, and listed as one of the top forecasters in the country by the Wall Street Journal. Today’s Chicago Woman named her the “Top Woman in Finance in Chicago” and the Chicago Sun Times recently crowned her one of the most influential women in business in Chicago.

Samuel K. Skinner
Of Counsel, Greenberg Traurig

Samuel K. Skinner has had a distinguished career in both the governmental and private sectors.  As Of Counsel to Greenberg Traurig, he consults with clients in a variety of areas including strategizing on complex litigation matters, state and federal regulatory matters, governmental matters, transportation issues and corporate governance. Mr. Skinner has spent more than 20 years in the legal profession. In 1975, he was appointed as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and he was previously in private practice at two large Chicago law firms where he held positions of leadership. Additionally, Mr. Skinner served as U.S. Secretary of Transportation from 1989-1991 and as White House Chief of Staff from 1991-1992.

Jack F. Williams
Professor, Georgia State University College of Law

Jack is a Professor of Law at Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta, Georgia, where he teaches and/or conducts research in a number of areas including Admiralty, Bankruptcy, Business and Commercial Law, Tax, Sports Law, and Islamic Law (Sharia). Williams consults with BDO Seidman, LLP, New York, in the areas of Distressed Business Valuation, Bankruptcy and Financial Advisory Services, Insolvency Taxation, Corporate Security, and Fraud and Fraudulent Transfer Investigations. A frequent lecturer in areas of bankruptcy, accounting, corporate governance, tax policy and homeland security and terrorism, among others, Williams has served as a commentator on CNN, CNN Radio, FoxNews, CSPAN, NBC Nightly News, ABC Evening News, Dateline, The Today Show, CNBC, MSNBC. Other accomplishments include serving as Chair of the Tax Advisory Committee of the National Bankruptcy Review Commission (NBRC), testifying before House and Senate Committees, and writing three books and over one hundred articles and papers. Williams has also been a guest speaker on Native American customs, language and folklore at private and public schools. Since 2004, the AIRA has been honored to have Professor Williams as its Scholar in Residence, conducting research on credit management and techniques to uncover financial fraud.