AACSB Announces the 2018 Class of Influential Leaders

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, AACSB International -- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the world's largest business education network, celebrated the positive impact business school graduates are making in communities around the globe as part of the 2018 Influential Leaders Challenge. As an annual initiative, the challenge honors notable alumni from accredited schools whose inspiring work serves as a model for the next generation of business leaders. The class of 2018, announced at AACSB's 2018 Deans Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, recognizes 29 business pioneers, from 13 industry sectors, whose careers are addressing today's most pressing social, economic, environmental, and educational challenges.

"Each honoree from the 2018 class of Influential Leaders reflects the mindset, knowledge, and passion that impactful business leaders must embody to impart positive change in today's society," said Thomas R. Robinson, president and CEO of AACSB. "As business schools work to educate and mold the next generation of global business leaders, these 29 stories of achievement demonstrate the true excellence and leadership we wish to see in the world."

Honorees of the 2018 Influential Leaders challenge were recognized across three categories, including:

• Alumni Business Leaders Working in Nonprofit or Community-Based Organizations
  Leaders serving nonprofit and community-based organizations are making game-changing impacts -- from a local level to a global reach -- creating a better society for us all. With initiatives that include navigating the Hurricane Harvey crisis, transforming the lives of more than 150 million children around the world annually, and combating the root causes of poverty, AACSB graduates demonstrate that some of the world's most impactful work occurs within small sector opportunities.

• Alumni Business Leaders Advancing Diversity and Inclusion
  Advocates for diversity and inclusion are driving transformation across the corporate sphere by upholding a culture of mutual respect and championing the exchange of open ideas. Such efforts are furthered by leaders who forge and refine inclusion practices to break down cultural stereotypes and patriarchal norms. They also look to inspire today's youth in underrepresented populations to pursue their dreams in non-traditional fields of study and professions. 

• Business Leaders Influencing Business Education
  Businesses need students to be workforce ready, making the present a critical time for schools and businesses to work together to meet each other's needs. Outside of academe, some business leaders are driving partnerships between the two groups by cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship and cross-collaborative mindsets. Others are developing free study services -- available via a simple digital exchange -- to more than 350,000 students globally, advancing access to success for everyone. Inside academe, leaders are transforming institutional culture by encouraging open dialogue between alumni, faculty, staff, business, and students, while investing in entrepreneurs across advantaged and disadvantaged regions.  

For more information on the Influential Leaders Challenge, and to view a full list of honorees, visit www.aacsb.edu/influential-leaders.

About AACSB International
As the world's largest business education alliance, AACSB connects educators, students, and business to achieve a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders. Synonymous with the highest standards of excellence, AACSB provides quality assurance, business education intelligence, and professional development services to almost 1,600 member organizations and more than 795 accredited business schools worldwide. With its global headquarters in Tampa, Florida, USA; Europe, Middle East, and Africa headquarters in Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore, AACSB's mission is to foster engagement, accelerate innovation, and amplify impact in business education. For more information, visit aacsb.edu.

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