A Conversation with David McWilliams
What happens when your first act is already legendary and you’re still hungry for more? What if your greatest impact is still ahead of you?
These are the questions we'll dive into with David McWilliams, our Chapter 2 Dinner series guest.
David McWilliams is an economist, author, podcaster, journalist, documentarian and broadcaster. He is the founder of the world’s only economics and stand-up comedy festival Kilkenomics described by the Financial Times as "simply, the best economics conference in the world”.
He also co-founded the Dalkey Book Festival, Ireland’s largest literary and ideas festival.
David has written five bestsellers and one of these The Pope’s Children is the best selling nonfiction ever published in Ireland. His writing style is described by Bloomberg’s head of economics Stephanie Flanders, as having “a great knack for bringing a complex economics story to life. He is also funny. In economics, that’s a rare and persuasive combination.”
Once upon a time, David had a few real jobs, working extensively in the public and private sectors. He was an economist in the International Relations Department of the Irish Central Bank; Chief European Economist at UBS, Europe’s largest bank; and Head of Emerging Markets Research at Banque Nationale de Paris.
This Chapter Two evening includes:
A fireside chat with David reveals his summit to his mountaintops
A “Help a Punk” break out group session that will challenge professional norms and invite real conversation
A community of peers who aren’t chasing titles—they’re building meaningful second act
Wine, light bites, set in a casual and conversational environment.
Location: Fabrik DUMBO
Address: 20 Jay St Suite 218, Brooklyn, NY 11201
This event is part of the Punks & Pinstripes Chapter Two series. A series of conversations with incredible artists, entrepreneurs, musicians and business leaders who reached the mountaintop of success, left, and started their next chapter.
Who are the Punks of Punks & Pinstripes?
Most executive communities are for people trying to achieve society’s definition of success. Punks & Pinstripes is for those who’ve already been there and chose something more.
We’re an executive community for people on the Second Mountaintop of their careers. Meaning we’ve achieved objectively impressive success (huge exits, prestigious job titles, and recognition) then we realized - it wasn’t enough.
Now, we’re climbing a different kind of mountain.
One where the work is more meaningful, the impact is deeper, and the fulfillment is real.
Feel seen? → You might be one of us. Check the FAQs.