About the Conference

The 2002 Siebel Scholars Annual Conference addressed two of today's most controversial issues: the future of stem cell research and the role of the state in regulating the economy. Each session offered interesting and compelling commentary.

The notable stem cell research speakers are distinguished by their contributions to the field. They included Dr. Arthur Caplan, director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania; William Kristol, chairman of the Bioethics Project of the New Citizenship Project; and Dr. Irving Weissman, professor of cancer biology, cell and developmental biology at Stanford University.

The afternoon session on the role of the state in regulating the economy was a lively and heated discussion led by the Honorable Richard C. Breeden, former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission; Floyd Kvamme, partner of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers; Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor; and Alice M. Rivlin, former vice chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board.

Charlie Rose, Emmy award-winning host of Charlie Rose and 60 Minutes II, moderated both panel discussions.

We would like to offer special thanks to both our respected guests and our distinguished panelists for sharing their unique perspectives and experiences with the group.

Speakers

  • Speaker

    Richard Breeden

    Former chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

    From 1989-1993, Mr. Breeden served as chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, where he was deeply involved in overhauling U.S. proxy rules, including disclosure requirements for executive compensation, as well as directing overall SEC disclosure, accounting and enforcement programs. Prior to the SEC, Mr. Breeden served in the White House under President (and Vice President) George Bush, where he was a senior adviser on economic, financial and regulatory issues, including having primary responsibility for designing the program to resolve the savings and loan crisis. Mr. Breeden began his career practicing corporate finance law in New York City, and spent three years from 1993-1996 as chairman of the international financial services practice of Coopers & Lybrand. Mr. Breeden currently serves as corporate monitor of WorldCom, Inc., having been appointed to oversee the company's activities by the Hon. Jed S. Rakoff of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Breeden recently finished a six-year assignment as trustee in bankruptcy of a company that was the scene of the largest ponzi scheme in U.S. history, where he recovered over $700 million for defrauded creditors.

  • Speaker

    Arthur Caplan

    Director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania

    Advances in medicine and biotechnology will fuel the world's economy and cause the greatest social upheaval in our century. There is no greater authority to address this new future and how to manage it than Arthur Caplan, director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania. Caplan's expertise is eagerly sought after by governments, the media and industries who need his insight on genetics cloning, genetic testing, stem cell research, transplants, artificial organs, genetically engineered foods and medicine, the consequences of reversing aging and retooling the human brain. He is author or editor of 24 books including Am I My Brother's Keeper? and Moral Matters: Ethical Issues in Medicine and Life Science. A brilliant yet unpretentious speaker with a keen sense of humor, Caplan helps audiences understand the complex issues that will impact every aspect of our personal and professional lives.

  • Speaker

    William Kristol

    Founder, publisher and editor of The Weekly Standard

    Founder, publisher and editor of The Weekly Standard, William Kristol is one of the most respected and influential of political commentators. He is the chairman of the Bioethics Project of the New Citizenship Project and he recently testified in front of the Senate Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space. He is a regular guest on television's top news programs and was recently named "the hottest pundit in town," by Washingtonian magazine. A journalist who thrived at the very hub of power before becoming a commentator on it, Kristol was chairman of the Project for the Republican Future and helped shape the 1994 Republican congressional victory. As chief of staff to Vice President Dan Quayle and to Secretary of Education William Bennett, he observed the political animal through two administrations. Admired by politicians and reporters, Democrats and Republicans, Kristol offers a unique perspective.

  • Speaker

    Robert Reich

    Professor at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University

    With new economic realities facing business and government, Robert Reich offers powerful and thought-provoking commentary on the implications for business competitiveness, the workforce and general economic well-being. Fortune magazine said of Reich's views "no one has better described the challenge" of the globalized economy. Currently a distinguished professor at Brandeis University, Reich served four years as secretary of labor. His seminal book, The Work of Nations, remains one of the most influential books on workforce issues and has been translated into 22 languages. His other books include I'll Be Short: Essentials for a Decent Working Society, The Future of Success and Locked in the Cabinet. Named one of America's top 10 public intellectuals, Reich is brilliant yet funny - mixing serious commentary with anecdotes that bring his points to life about an interconnected economic environment, which defies conventional wisdom. He defines the economic trade-offs as we leverage the power of technology and intellectual capital in the new world of work and the impact on the growing cultural and economic divide. He also looks at influence of monetary, fiscal, and labor policy on the economic and business environment.

  • Speaker

    Alice Rivlin

    Senior fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution

    One of the most influential policy makers in Washington, Alice Rivlin is renowned as a visionary thinker with a keen eye on the changing state of the national economy. This former vice chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board headed the White House Office of Management and Budget and served as founding director of the Congressional Budget Office. Now a senior fellow in the economic studies program at the prestigious Brookings Institution, Rivlin tracks the effects of rapid technological change and the rush toward globalization. Author of Reviving the American Dream, she offers audiences a unique perspective on the future of the economy, both short term and long. Recipient of a MacArthur Foundation fellowship, Rivlin taught at Harvard University, was Hirst Professor of Public Policy at George Mason University and served as president of the American Economic Association. She is a frequent contributor to newspapers and journals and is the author of several books.

  • Speaker

    Charles Rose

    Emmy award-winning host of PBS television’s Charlie Rose

    Emmy Award-winning journalist Charlie Rose has been praised as "one of America's premier interviewers." He is the host of a nightly PBS program that engages America's best thinkers, writers, politicians, athletes, entertainers, business leaders, scientists and other newsmakers. USA Today calls Charlie Rose, "TV's most addictive talk show." New York Newsday says, "Charlie's show is the place to get engaging, literate conversation . . . Bluntly, he is the best interviewer around today."

    Guests on the show include major international political figures and a mixture of renowned personalities from literature, theatre, film, dance, fashion, sports, science, medicine, and business. Guests have ranged from international statesmen Nelson Mandela and Mikhail Gorbachev to Nobel laureates Toni Morrison, Seamus Heaney to leaders in business like Bill Gates and Andy Grove.In the artistic arena, Rose's guests range from actors Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts to musicians Bruce Springsteen and Yo-Yo Ma.

    Charlie Rose was born in Henderson, North Carolina, and graduated from Duke University with an AB in history and a JD from the school of law. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and has received honorary doctorates of law from C.W. Post College and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. He is the recipient of the George Peabody Broadcasting Award, the Emmy Award and The CableACE Award. This year he accepted the Futrell Award, an award given to Duke University alumni who have demonstrated excellence in communications. The Charlotte World Affairs Council also honored him this year as the world citizen for the year 2000.

    Charlie Rose lives in New York City and Bellport, Long Island.

  • Speaker

    Thomas Siebel

    Founder and chairman of the board of Siebel Systems

    Thomas Siebel is the chairman of First Virtual Group, a diversified holding company with interests in commercial real estate, agribusiness, global investment management, and philanthropy.

    Mr. Siebel was the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Siebel Systems, one of the world's leading software companies, which merged with Oracle Corporation in January 2006. Founded in 1993, Siebel Systems rapidly became a global leader in application software with more than 8,000 employees in 32 countries, over 4,500 corporate customers, and annual revenue in excess of $2 billion.

    Before founding Siebel Systems, Mr. Siebel served as chief executive officer of Gain Technology, a multimedia software company that merged with Sybase in December 1992. From 1984 through 1990, he was an executive at Oracle Corp., where he held a number of senior management positions.

    Mr. Siebel serves on the board of advisors for the Stanford University College of Engineering, the University of Illinois College of Engineering, and the University of California at Berkeley College of Engineering. He is a director of the University of Illinois Foundation, the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Mr. Siebel is the founder and chairman of the Meth Project Foundation and chairman of the Siebel Foundation.

    He is a frequent industry spokesman and the author of three books: Taking Care of eBusiness and Cyber Rules, published by Doubleday, and Virtual Selling, published by The Free Press.

    In 2002, the Business Executives for National Security presented Mr. Siebel with the David Packard Award for his achievements as a technology entrepreneur and his contributions to national security. In 2000 and 2001, he was recognized by BusinessWeek as one of the Top 25 Managers in the World.

    In 1999, 2000, and 2001, Fortune magazine recognized Siebel Systems as the fastest, third fastest, and second fastest growing company in the United States, respectively. Call Center Magazine inducted him to its Hall of Fame in 2000 in recognition for contributions to the business and technology of customer service.

    Mr. Siebel is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in History, an M.B.A., a Master of Science in Computer Science, and a Ph.D. in Engineering (Hon.).

    The Siebel Foundation, founded in 1996, is active in the support of education, health, drug prevention, wildlife habitat preservation, conservation, and support for the homeless. The Siebel Foundation created the Siebel Scholars Foundation, the Dearborn Scholars Fund in Montana, and the Meth Project Foundation. The Siebel Scholars Foundation endows scholarship funds at eight leaning universities for graduate students in computer science and business who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and leadership.

    Honors and Awards

    Lincoln Academy Laureate, The Lincoln Academy of Illinois, 2008
    Ph.D. (Hon) Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2006
    White House Commendation, Most Influential Drug Program - Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2006
    Leadership Award - Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2006
    Lewis & Clark Pioneers in Industry Award - University of Montana, 2006
    One of the 50 Best Companies to Work for in Silicon Valley - San Jose Magazine, 2004
    Thomas M. Siebel, Master Entrepreneur of the Year - Ernst & Young, 2003
    Entrepreneurial Company of the Year - Harvard Business School, 2003
    Hall of Fame - CRM Magazine, 2003
    David Packard Award - Business Executives for National Security, 2002
    CEO of the Year - IndustryWeek, 2002
    Top 25 Executives - Readers' Choice - Computer Reseller News, 2002
    Top 25 Managers in Global Business - BusinessWeek, 1999 to 2002
    Top 25 Executives - Computer Reseller News, 2001
    University of Illinois Presidential Award and Medallion, 2001
    IT 100 List of Top-Performing Companies in High Tech - BusinessWeek, 2001
    Second Fastest Growing Company in America - Fortune, 2000
    Top 10 CEOs of 2000 - Investor's Business Daily, 2000
    Hall of Fame: in Recognition of Contributions to the Business and Technology of Customer Service - Call Center Magazine, 2000
    The World's Most Influential Software Company - BusinessWeek, 2000
    Third Fastest Growing Company in America - Fortune, 2000
    The Most Influential Company in IT - Intelligent Enterprise, 2000
    Fastest Growing Technology Company - Deloitte & Touche, 1999
    Fastest Growing Company in America - Fortune, 1999

    Publications

    Virtual Selling, Free Press, 1996
    Cyber Rules, Doubleday, 1999
    Taking Care of eBusiness, Doubleday, 2001

  • Speaker

    Irving Weissman

    The Karel and Avice Beekhuis Professor of Cancer Biology at Stanford University

    Irving L. Weissman is the Karel and Avice Beekhuis Professor of Cancer Biology, professor of pathology and developmental biology at Stanford University. Dr. Weissman was a member of the scientific advisory board of Amgen (1981-1989), DNAX (1981-1992), and T-Cell Sciences (1988-1992). Irving L. Weissman received his M.D. from Stanford University and his research encompasses the phylogeny and developmental biology of the cells that make up the blood-forming and immune systems. He was a co-founder of SyStemix and was chairman of its scientific advisory board and a member of its board of directors in 1988-1997. He also co-founded StemCells, Inc. and is a director and chair of its scientific advisory board. Professor Weissman has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences and to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is the recipient of several awards, including the Leukemia Society of America de Villier's International Achievement Award, the E. Donnall Thomas Prize from the American Society of Hematology and the Montana Conservationist of the Year Award. He has also received the Kaiser Award for Excellence in Preclinical Teaching, the Pasarow Award, and the Outstanding Investigator Award from the National Institutes of Health.

Schedule

Friday, November 1

  • 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

    Welcome Reception

    Iris & B.Geraid Cantor Center for Visual Arts

Saturday, November 2

  • 7:30 am – 8:45 am

    Breakfast

    Stanford University, Faculty Club

  • 9:00 am – 9:30 am

    Welcome Addresses James D Plummer, Dean, School of Engineering, Stanford University Thomas M.Siebel, Chairman & CEO, Siebel Systems, Inc.

    Stanford University, Encina Hall, Bechtel Conference Room

  • 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

    Morning Panel Stem Cell Research - A Discussion of Biological & Ethical Issues

    Stanford University, Encina Hall, Bechtel Conference Room

  • 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm

    Lunch

    Stanford University, Faculty Club

  • 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm

    Afternoon Panel The Role of the State in Regulating the Economy

    Stanford University, Encina Hall, Bechtel Conference Room

  • 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm

    Cocktail Reception & Gala Dance

    Standford University, Frances C Arrillaga Alumni Center

Sunday, November 3

  • 8:00 am – 10:30 am

    Closing Breakfast

    Sheralton Palo Alto

Venues