CBA Dean Dayle Smith Joins Trade Delegation to India

Lifelong learning in the global community is a key tenet of LMU College of Business Administration. And no one embodies this mindset better than CBA Dean Dayle Smith. So when Smith was asked to participate as a delegate of the World Trade Center Los Angeles (WTCLA) inaugural trade mission to India, she jumped at the opportunity.

Smith, who sits on the WTCLA Board of Advisors, was one of 13 diverse leaders from the public, private, and non-profit sectors who were handpicked to visit New Delhi and Mumbai at the invitation of Eric Garcetti, U.S. Ambassador to India and former mayor of Los Angeles. The primary purpose of the trip, held March 17-23, was to foster and expand trade, investment, and strategic ties between Los Angeles and India.

"It was such an honor to be a part of this delegation," said Smith. "This was my first time in India, and I got to see firsthand the depth of Indian innovation and sustainable infrastructure in the world's fastest-growing economy. It was an incredibly enlightening experience."

Led by Stephen Cheung, president and CEO of WTCLA, the delegates explored India's connection with Los Angeles through the lenses of technology, sustainability, education, and tourism, as well as how these relate to infrastructure development.

"The relationship between India and Los Angeles is of paramount importance as India cements its place among the world's economic powerhouses," said Cheung. "More than 100,000 Indian Americans live in the L.A. metropolitan area. Now is the perfect time to engage with our Indian partners to nurture and expand our commercial, educational, and cultural bonds."

The trade mission itinerary included visits to the U.S.-India Business Council, the U.S. Embassy, Shiv Nadar University, Wipro, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd., Tata Consultancy Services, World Trade Center Noida, Jio Institute, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry, among others. The delegation met with leaders from various industrial sectors and diplomatic corps members from several countries. One of the biggest highlights was dinner with Ambassador Garcetti at his private residence.

The delegates were in Mumbai during the Confederation of Indian Industry's Western Region Annual Meeting, where Smith spoke on a panel about international collaboration and exchange in higher education, specifically how faculty can partner across borders and students can gain a global perspective.

"The trip was an overwhelming success, and I learned so much about the growing relationship between India and Los Angeles," said Smith. "I was proud to represent LMU and the higher education sector as we forged new strategic partnerships for L.A. and the university."