Business, Politics, and Michelangelo: The Medici Family Executive Assembly

It is a time of decline for one of the most powerful families in history. Hailing from Florence, the Medici family has maintained economic, political, and religious power within the South of Europe for more than a century by establishing one of the first international investment banking systems and multiple industries to fund their endeavors. Through the leadership of Cosimo and his predecessors, Lorenzo de Medici has learned that the key to his family’s prosperity lies in the proper management of the varied nature of their family’s interests. However, in the recent generations, the Medici have felt enormous pressure from rival banking families such as the Pazzi and the geopolitical supporters, including northern European countries. Industrial failures and economic revolution loom over the family as they move through a continuous era of decline. Will the direction from the committee of most trusted ambassadors, relatives, and even dissenters prove to guide Lorenzo and the family to a new golden age, or will the bank collapse and the Medici be expelled from the city that they have built up to magnificence?

 

Background Guide

 

 

Chair - Diego Loyo Rosales

My name is Diego Loyo Rosales, and I am a second year in the College majoring in Economics and Political Sciences. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, I lived in Italy for two years (and visited the rooms we will pretend to be in during ChoMUN XVIII). Besides being part of ChoMUN and the MUN competitive Team, I am constantly planning a coup against the Venezuelan Government (at least according to them) through my political organization "Venezuela Futura". I am a huge (real, not American) football fan, and I enjoy the occasional pick-up game... That is, when we are not all buried in the Reg with psets and essays.

Email: dloyorosales@uchicago.edu

 

Crisis Director - Austin Kohlman

Austin Kohlman is originally from Colorado, where he started his Model UN career. A fascination with history, the variability in European powers over the past millennia, and the fantastic Medici’s on 57th restaurant led him to consider this Florentine, powerhouse family as his focus for this year’s ChoMUN. Otherwise, Austin is pursuing his interests in Public Policy and Sociology at the University of Chicago and hopes to one day succeed in bringing his UN career out of the “model” realm. He plays Piano as a relaxing hobby on the side, is trying to train for a marathon this next year (if that’s even possible to do), and has a passion for all music. He is thrilled to work as Crisis Director with his good friend Diego Rosales and his charming Venezuelan accent.