Pulitzer Winning Investigative Journalist Gerard Ryle & Columbia’s Annemarie McAvoy — 10 Year Anniversary of the Panama Papers
The Columbia Club of New York welcomes Gerard Ryle, Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative journalist and Executive Director of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, and Columbia’s Annemarie McAvoy, Columbia University professor and expert in financial crime and enforcement, for a conversation on global finance, secrecy, and accountability. Spanning law, economics, and international affairs, the discussion will examine how investigative journalism and legal frameworks shape responses to financial misconduct, corruption, and cross-border risk. The event coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the Panama Papers!
Gerard Ryle
As executive director of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, Gerard Ryle has led the global, cross-border reporting teams behind the Panama Papers, Pandora Papers, Cyprus Confidential and other investigations that transformed how the world investigates offshore finance, corruption and abuse of power.
Under his leadership, ICIJ has become one of the world’s most influential nonprofit investigative news organizations, pioneering a collaborative, data-driven model that brings together hundreds of journalists to examine systemic failures that transcend national borders. ICIJ’s reporting has prompted government investigations, policy debates and regulatory reforms around the world.
Describing his work with ICIJ as “the future of investigative journalism worldwide,” Reporters Without Borders named Ryle one of 100 global “information heroes.”
Before joining as ICIJ’s first non-American director in September 2011, he spent more than 20 years working as an investigative reporter and editor in Australia. His work as a journalist began in his native Ireland.
Annemarie McAvoy
Annemarie McAvoy is an attorney and former federal prosecutor with deep expertise in anti-money laundering, sanctions, fraud and financial crime enforcement. She is an adjunct professor at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, where she teaches on financial crime, compliance and enforcement issues.
McAvoy began her career in private practice before serving as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of New York, where she handled civil and criminal matters including money laundering and fraud. She later held senior in-house legal roles at major financial institutions, advising on anti-money laundering, fraud prevention and corporate compliance.
Since leaving government and the private sector, McAvoy has worked as a consultant and legal adviser to financial institutions, conducted training on financial crime and compliance and served as an expert commentator on legal and regulatory matters.