Eighth Annual Sovereign Debt Restructuring Conference

We invite you to join us with Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business for the Eighth Annual Sovereign Debt Restructuring Conference on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

The conference offers a timely exploration of global sovereign debt trends and the shifting complexities of restructuring processes. With sovereign debt levels and country-specific financial distress reaching critical highs, progress on Sovereign Debt Restructurings (SoDRs) remains slow and complex.  Discussions focus on the current debt landscape, key risks—including fiscal, monetary, geopolitical, and climate-related—and practical solutions to strengthen debt resilience while improving SoDR efficiency. The event brings together experts and thought leaders to share insights and explore emerging trends shaping the future of sovereign debt management.

If you are interested in attending virtually, please click here. 

Program Agenda

9:00 – 9:05 am: Welcoming Remarks

• George Tsetsekos, Francis Professor of Finance, LeBow College of Business

9:05 – 9:45am: Session 1: Sovereign Debt on the Global Stage: Developments, Distress Dynamics, and Resolution Pathways

• Mark Flanagan, Deputy Director of the Strategy, Policy, and Review Department, International Monetary Fund

9:45 – 10:30am: Session 2: Recent SoDR Developments: Indicators of Hope or Concern? Country and CRA Perspectives on Future Debt Sustainability and Resolution

• Elena Duggar, Managing Director – Chief Credit Officer Americas, and Chair of Macroeconomic Board, Moody’s Investors Service
• Thomas Laryea, Counsel, Orrick

10:45 – 11:00am: Break

11:00 – 11:55am: Session 3: Potential Risks and Strengthening Factors for the Sovereign Debt Outlook: A Market Perspective

• Liam Localio, Managing Director, Farallon Capital
• Ajata Mediratta, President, Greylock Capital Management
• Rafael Molina, Sr. Managing Director, Newstate Partners
• Samy Muaddi, Head of Emerging Markets, T. Rowe Price
• Federico Sequeda, Managing Director, Head of Country Research, Morgan Stanley

11:55 – 12:10pm: Break 

12:10 – 12:55pm: Session 4: A Credit Rating Perspective on Current Sovereign Debt and Debt Restructuring Developments

• Thor Jonasson, Deputy Division Chief, Debt Capital Markets Division, IMF
• Joe Kogan, Senior Financial Sector Expert, IMF
• Luca Bandiera, Lead Economist, Economic Policy Global Practice, The World Bank

12:55pm – Concluding Remarks:

• Michael G. Papaioannou, TA Expert Advisor, International Monetary Fund and Senior Visiting Scholar and Professor, LeBow College of Business, Drexel University

1:00pm: Conference Ends

Registration fees are subject to a full refund until 72-hours in advance of the scheduled program.

Event Location

Gerri C. LeBow Hall
DiPiero Grand Meeting Room and Rose Terrace
Room 220
3220 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104