Thursday, September 25, 2025The Federal Reserve is back in the spotlight—facing political pressure, rising deficits, shifting labor markets, and global uncertainty. But what exactly does the Fed do, what can it really control, and why does its independence matter?
Join us for an exclusive conversation with Wharton professor Dr. Patrick Harker, former President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia (2015-2025), and former Dean of The Wharton School, as he reflects on a decade at the center of U.S. monetary policymaking—and what’s at stake for the Fed’s future. Dr. Harker will help us make sense of the Fed’s role and why lower Fed rates don’t always translate to lower mortgage, car loan and credit card interest rates. He’ll explain the importance of central bank independence, discuss the intersection of markets and politics, and explore the current risks to U.S. economic stability, markets, and future growth.
This live webinar discussion will take place on:
When: Thursday, September 25th
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Register via LinkedIn With 1 Click Or use this Zoom Registration FormWhy Register?
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Access: Everyone who registers will receive a link to the session recording, so you can listen when it's convenient for you.
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Insights: Hear firsthand from former President of the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank from 2015-2025.
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Empowerment: Equip yourself with the facts and knowledge to find common ground with others on issues that impact us all.
Don’t miss this timely opportunity to hear from one of the most experienced voices in American finance, policy, and education.
About the Unity Forum Webinar Series
This event is part of The Unity Forum webinar series, powered by Alumni for Freedom & Democracy. We are a cross-partisan network of individuals founded by Wharton grads who are committed to preserving the essential freedoms that sustain an open society—freedom of thought, civil dialogue, democratic principles, and economic opportunity. In each episode, we will interview well-established experts (many from the Penn community) to challenge assumptions on recent events, elevate civil dialogue, and encourage greater mutual understanding on social, economic, and legal issues.
