NATCHITOCHES, LA — Northwestern State University will welcome David Weild IV, former Vice Chairman of NASDAQ and widely regarded as the “Father of the JOBS Act,” as the featured guest in the Lola Walker Dunahoe Family Distinguished Lecture Series.
The program, titled “The Future of America: Rebuilding Opportunity, Innovation & Capitalism”, will take place on October 15, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Alost Hall Multipurpose Center. The event is free and open to the public.
Weild is a nationally recognized leader in finance and economic policy. He has overseen more than 1,000 equity offerings, including IPOs, and played a pivotal role in reshaping access to capital for small and mid-sized businesses. His leadership was central to the creation of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, the most significant pro-capital formation legislation since the 1940s. The law opened new pathways for entrepreneurs, investors and innovators, including support for Moderna’s mRNA vaccine research that has been credited with saving millions of lives.
Beyond his time at NASDAQ, Weild built a distinguished career in investment banking, heading equity capital markets at Prudential Securities and advising global policymakers on capital access, innovation, and competitiveness. He has addressed audiences at the White House, U.S. Congress, the European Commission, and leading economic forums around the world.
“Northwestern State University is honored to host David Weild IV, whose work has transformed how entrepreneurs and scientists gain the resources to solve some of society’s greatest challenges,” said NSU President James T. Genovese. “This lecture series continues our commitment to connecting our community with thought leaders shaping the future.”
Weild’s conversation will be guided by Dr. Neilank Jha, who will serve as interviewer for the fireside chat.
“The future of American innovation depends on expanding opportunity to every corner of the country,” Weild said. “Capital, entrepreneurship, and new policies are essential to rebuilding communities and solving pressing challenges in healthcare, climate, and national security.”
Part of the ongoing Lola Walker Dunahoe Family Distinguished Lecture Series, the event builds on the success of the March 2025 program “Leadership in the Age of AI.”
The lecture is free and open to the public. For more details or information, visit www.nsu.la/FutureOfAmerica.
Former NASDAQ Vice Chairman David Weild IV to lecture at NSU