Denise Lewin Loyd

Denise Lewin Loyd is an Associate Professor of Business Administration and Associate Dean for Equity at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Gies College of Business. She holds the Vernon Zimmerman Faculty Fellowship and has been a faculty member since 2013. Her research focuses on groups and teams, status dynamics, diversity, social identity, and ethics. Loyd earned a BS in Civil Engineering (University of Miami, 1992), an MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering (MIT, 1994), and a PhD in Management and Organizations (Kellogg School of Management, 2005).

Her research explores topics such as diversity’s impact on group performance, bias mitigation, and inclusive leadership. Key contributions include studies on favoritism threat in diverse teams, allyship strategies, and racial biases in academic publishing. Loyd has been recognized with awards including the UIUC Excellence in Guiding Undergraduate Research Award (2021) and the Vernon K. Zimmerman Faculty Fellowship (2019).

Loyd’s DEI leadership includes chairing the Gies DEI Leadership Team, launching affinity groups, and spearheading initiatives like the Black Alumni Reunion and prison education partnerships. She has secured grants totaling over $200,000 for DEI research and delivered over 30 invited talks on diversity and inclusion.

• Grants: Gies Faculty Research Grants ($18,600, 2022; $49,000, 2021), Negotiation and Team Resources Institute ($10,000, 2018).
• Teaching: Courses include Ethical Leadership, Leadership and Teams, and Organizational Processes. Recognized as an excellent teacher by students multiple times (2020–2022).
• Service: Editorial board member for Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, co-organizer of DEI leadership summits, and contributor to national DEI initiatives.