The Cleveland Council on World Affairs is honored to host Frank Sullivan for the Dr. Raj and Karen Aggarwal Forum on International Business.

In a world where marketplace circumstances change rapidly, it is vital that global companies are prepared to shift and pivot their businesses accordingly. The shelf life of good strategies and practices is as short as its ever been. Whether due to recession, pandemic, or technological revolution, practices that traditionally worked may suddenly prove to be detrimental, and ideas that were outlandish become commonplace. How do companies set themselves up for success in a “volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous” (VUCA) world?

Frank Sullivan, chairman and chief executive officer of RPM International, joins CCWA in an effort to answer this challenging question. Drawing upon over 20 years of experience leading RPM International, Mr. Sullivan will discuss how he has sought to position the $7.3 billion, multinational company for success in the short, medium, and long terms. However, the story of RPM is not one free of trouble or disruption. Mr. Sullivan will provide candid commentary about the lessons he has learned, both positive and negative, while heading a global company in Northeast Ohio.

Headquartered in Medina, Ohio, RPM International is a Fortune 500 company with subsidiaries that are world leaders in specialty coatings, sealants, building materials, and related services. Its products are sold across approximately 159 countries and territories worldwide.