Ronald C. Lasky is a Professor of Engineering at Dartmouth College's Thayer School of Engineering and a Senior Technologist at the Indium Corporation. His academic roles include teaching courses such as ENGM 187: Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship and ENGS 155: Intermediate Thermodynamics . Dr. Lasky holds a BS in Engineering Physics from Cornell University (1970), an MS in Applied Mathematics from Binghamton University (1974), and a PhD in Materials Science from Cornell University (1986). His research focuses on process optimization, electronic assembly, materials science, and environmental compliance. Notable contributions include work on lead-free solder assembly and Lean Six Sigma methodologies. He received the Member of Technical Distinction Award from the SMTA in 2021. Dr. Lasky actively engages with industry, exemplified by his collaboration with Galanz in China, exploring modern manufacturing practices and infrastructure. His insights on global supply chains and technological advancements highlight his dual academic and professional expertise.
Cheryl Gaimon holds the Esther and Edward J. Brown Chair and serves as a Regents' Professor at the Scheller College of Business, Georgia Institute of Technology. She is Faculty Director of the Management of Technology (MoT) Certificate Program, which she helped establish, and teaches across all academic levels including executive education. Professor Gaimon initiated the Operations Management Program and served as its first Area Coordinator for seven years. Her academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Operations Research from Carnegie Mellon University M.S. in Industrial Administration (Operations Management) from Carnegie Mellon University B.S. in Mathematics and Economics (Magna Cum Laude) from Brooklyn College, City University of New York Professor Gaimon's research centers on managing knowledge-based resources in technology-driven environments. Her work spans Innovation and Management of Technology , Knowledge Management and Outsourcing , New Product/Process Development , Alliances for Innovation , and Sustainability Research . She examines how firms navigate technological change through strategic resource allocation, knowledge transfer, and sustainable operations, with increasing emphasis on environmental strategies in recent years. Her publication trajectory reveals consistent focus on operations management within technological evolution—from foundational work on technology acquisition and capacity planning to contemporary studies on environmental strategies and multidisciplinary technology management. Key journals featuring her research include Management Science , Operations Research , and Production and Operations Management . Major recognitions include: Regents' Professor designation (2005) by the Georgia Board of Regents The 1999 Georgia Tech Research Award for doctoral student development Brady Family Award for Faculty Research Excellence (2014) Best Department Editor Award for POM (2024) POMS Fellow status and Distinguished Service Award (2009/2014) As an educator, she has mentored doctoral students and shaped curriculum through the MoT program. Her professional leadership includes serving as POMS President (2008-2009), founding co-President of the POMS College on Product Innovation and Technology Management, and editorial roles at top journals including Management Science and Production and Operations Management . Professor Gaimon directs the interdisciplinary Management of Technology Certificate Program, fostering cross-departmental collaboration for technology management research and education while advancing sustainability integration in operations.
Sean Cao serves as Associate Professor (with tenure) at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, where he is Director and Co-founder of the AI Initiative for Capital Market Research. He also holds an affiliation as professor at Harvard Business School's D 3 Institute. His academic journey began with a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Cao's research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence and capital markets, with particular expertise in how machine learning transforms financial analysis, corporate disclosure practices, and investment decision-making. His work examines the evolving relationship between human analysts and AI systems, blockchain applications in financial reporting, and the strategic adaptation of corporate communications for machine readership. He has pioneered research on the "AI divide" among investor groups and developed frameworks for human-AI collaborative stock analysis. His publication portfolio spans top journals including Journal of Financial Economics, Review of Financial Studies, Journal of Accounting Research, and Management Science. The research demonstrates consistent thematic progression toward increasingly sophisticated AI applications in finance, with recent work exploring distributed ledger technologies for auditing, machine learning for extracting private information from disclosures, and the economics of greenwashing in ESG funds. His studies frequently combine textual analysis with traditional financial metrics to uncover novel market insights. Fama-DFA Prize from Journal of Financial Economics for best paper in capital markets and asset pricing Michael J. Brennan Award from Review of Financial Studies Deloitte Initiative for AI and Learning award for developing trustworthy AI for social equity PanAgora Asset Management's Dr. Richard A. Crowell Memorial Prize Multiple best paper awards from Midwest Finance Association, Global AI Finance Conference, and Asian Finance Association Dr. Cao has delivered over 200 invited research talks at major institutions including the Central Bank of Japan, Central Bank of Thailand, and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He serves as Guest Associate Editor for Management Science and has co-chaired Review of Financial Studies conferences on FinTech and Machine Learning. His educational initiatives include a widely adopted free AI textbook for finance and accounting that has been implemented at universities worldwide including Indiana University, UT Dallas, and University of Minnesota. As Director of the AI Initiative for Capital Market Research, Dr. Cao leads a multidisciplinary team exploring practical AI applications in finance. The initiative has secured significant funding including a $150,000 grant from GRF CPAs & Advisors. His research group maintains strong industry connections through partnerships with regulatory bodies, financial institutions, and technology companies, facilitating the translation of academic research into practical financial applications.
Patricia A. Banks is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Mount Holyoke College, with affiliations in Africana Studies and the Program in Entrepreneurship, Organizations, and Society. She holds a Ph.D. and A.M. from Harvard University and a B.A. (summa cum laude, valedictorian) from Spelman College. Her research explores intersections of culture, consumption, and race, focusing on African Diaspora dynamics. Key areas include cultural philanthropy, art collecting as identity practice, and corporate diversity capital. She authored Black Culture, Inc. (Stanford 2022), winning the Oliver Cromwell Cox Book Award, and Race, Ethnicity, and Consumption (Routledge 2020). Recent honors include ASA awards and fellowships from the CASBS (Stanford), Sheila Biddle Ford Foundation, and Harvard’s Hutchins Center. She co-edits Poetics and serves on ASA committees. Teaching awards include recognition from Harvard’s Derek Bok Center and Mount Holyoke’s Baccalaureate address. Her work spans books, peer-reviewed articles, and media engagements (NYT, Artnet). The African American Museums Database, her digital archive, catalogs over 300 institutions. Current projects address corporate diversity signaling, African art markets, and dress code discrimination.
Wendy Ju is an Associate Professor of Information Science at Cornell Tech, with appointments in the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute, and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Previously, she served as executive director of interaction design research at Stanford University's Center for Design Research and as an associate professor of interaction design at the California College of the Arts. Her work bridges human-computer interaction, design, and robotics with a focus on how interactive devices can communicate with people without interrupting them. PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University Master's degree in Media Arts and Sciences from MIT Professor Ju's research centers on implicit interactions, human-robot collaboration, and automotive interfaces. She investigates how people interact with automated systems in natural contexts, develops methods for early-stage prototyping of autonomous technologies, and examines the social implications of robotics in urban environments. Her work spans from theoretical frameworks to practical applications, with particular emphasis on designing systems that integrate seamlessly into human activities without demanding constant attention. Her recent publications reveal a strong trajectory toward understanding human-robot interaction in public urban spaces, with increasing focus on robot navigation in city streets, the social implications of autonomous vehicles, and the integration of generative AI in design processes. Her work consistently bridges theoretical HCI frameworks with practical applications in transportation, urban design, and everyday robotics. Inducted into the ACM SIGCHI Academy (2025) Multiple Honorable Mention Awards at ACM CHI and DIS conferences Best Paper Award at Multimodal Technologies and Interaction (2023) Best Student Paper Award at IEEE Intelligent Vehicles Symposium (2017) Best Demonstration Award at HRI (2017) Professor Ju actively mentors numerous PhD and master's students, many of whom have become leading researchers in HCI and robotics. Her research has been supported by significant grants from NSF and industry partners, enabling extensive field studies of human-robot interaction in real-world settings. She has pioneered methodologies for studying autonomous vehicle interactions through both simulated and naturalistic driving environments. Her work with the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute supports interdisciplinary research at the intersection of computing, design, and urban technology. She has established research partnerships with transportation authorities, automotive companies, and urban planning organizations to study how emerging technologies can enhance urban mobility while respecting human needs and social contexts.
David M. Dodson is a Lecturer in Management at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business (GSB), where he teaches courses on managing growing enterprises and entrepreneurial acquisition. His career spans over 30 years in business management, including founding three search funds and serving as CEO of a technology manufacturer and Executive Chairman of a telecommunications firm. He co-founded Sanku (formerly Project Healthy Children), a nonprofit addressing micronutrient deficiencies in Africa through fortified grains, recognized for its life-saving impact. Dodson holds an MBA from Stanford GSB (1987) and a BA in Economics from Stanford University (1983). His research focuses on entrepreneurial acquisition strategies and managing small-to-medium enterprises. Notable awards include the MSx Teaching Excellence Award (2023, 2021) and recognition as a top lecturer by Stanford GSB students. Beyond academia, he invests in over 40 businesses and serves on 21 corporate boards. In 2020, he founded StudentVotes.org to empower student voting during the pandemic. His media contributions include columns for The Boston Globe and frequent TV commentary on CNBC and Fox Business.
Cheng Gao is an Assistant Professor of Strategy at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. He holds a DBA from Harvard Business School and an AB in Economics from Harvard University. His research focuses on innovation strategy, entrepreneurship, and nonmarket strategy, particularly in navigating regulatory uncertainty and disruptive industries. Gao teaches Advanced Competitive Strategy and has received multiple teaching excellence awards. Education: DBA in Strategy, Harvard Business School (2018) AB in Economics with High Honors, Harvard University (2008) Research interests emphasize how firms strategically manage institutional voids and political dependence while innovating in uncertain environments. His work appears in top journals like Administrative Science Quarterly and Strategic Management Journal. Articles often explore themes of corporate political spending, strategic pivots in new ventures, and reputation-based survival in emerging markets. Awards include the Academy of Management Best Dissertation Award (2018), Heizer Award (2018), and recognition as one of Poets & Quants' Top 50 Undergraduate Professors (2020). He advises students in strategy and entrepreneurship and previously worked as a management consultant at Oliver Wyman and as a policy researcher at CSIS. Labs/Teams: Active in Ross School of Business research networks focusing on innovation and institutional strategy. Serves on the board of directors at Barton Malow.
David Welsh is a Professor in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship at Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business, specializing in workplace ethics, unethical behavior, and organizational dynamics. His research has been published in top-tier journals and featured in mainstream media. Ph.D. in Management (University of Arizona, 2014) J.D. (University of Utah, 2010) B.S. in Management (Southern Utah University, 2007) His research focuses on behavioral ethics , ethical decision-making , and self-regulation , examining how performance goals, leadership styles, and social influences affect workplace morality. Recent work explores prosocial behaviors like voice and organizational citizenship alongside unethical transgressions. Welsh's articles reveal trends linking ethical leadership to dual outcomes of organizational effectiveness and unintended deviance, goal-setting to depletion and unethicality, and social dynamics to peer-driven moral behavior. His studies often employ field experiments and experience sampling methodology. Ascendant Scholar award (Western Academy of Management, 2019) W. P. Carey Dean's Mid-Career Research award (2022) Outstanding Practical Implications for Management Paper award (2021) Professional MBA Faculty Excellence award (2022) At ASU, Welsh mentors doctoral students, serves on PhD committees, and manages the Management Department Behavioral Lab. He is an Associate Editor at Personnel Psychology and teaches graduate courses on research, ethics, and dissertation advising.
Southeastern Oklahoma State UniversityUnited States
Franz Heukamp is the Director General of IESE Business School at the University of Navarra and Professor in the Department of Decision Analysis. He holds the Antonio Valero Chair of Business Administration since 2016 and previously served as Vice Dean of the MBA program and Secretary General of IESE. His academic background includes a Ph.D. in Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an Ingénieur Civil des Ponts et Chaussées from Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées in Paris, and a Diplom-Ingenieur from Technische Universität München. Professor Heukamp's research focuses on behavioral decision-making with a special interest in neuroeconomics, examining how people make decisions under uncertainty, particularly regarding time-probability trade-offs. His work bridges business decision theory with neuroscience, as evidenced by his publications in journals like Management Science , European Neuropsychopharmacology , and British Journal of Pharmacology . In recent years, he has expanded his research interests to include artificial intelligence applications in management and sustainability. His recent scholarly output shows a progression from fundamental decision theory research to practical applications of AI in business leadership and management education. He has published extensively on risk preferences, intuition in decision making, and the neurological basis of economic choices, with increasing focus on how digital transformation and AI are reshaping management practices. As Director General, Heukamp has championed several strategic initiatives including internationalization efforts across North America, Latin America, and Central Europe, development of new degree programs like the Master in Management and Munich Executive MBA, and integration of digital learning technologies while maintaining the school's commitment to in-person educational excellence. Professor Heukamp is an active member of both the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences and the Neuroeconomics Society, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to business education and research. His leadership prioritizes supporting faculty research, advancing lifelong learning solutions for executives, and maintaining IESE's mission of service to society through academic innovation.
Felipe Csaszar is a Professor of Strategy and Chair of the Strategy Department at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. His research focuses on decision structures' impact on innovation, financial performance, and social outcomes, with particular attention to cognitive frameworks, organizational processes, and AI's role in decision-making. He holds a PhD and MA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Education: PhD in Strategy, University of Pennsylvania (2009) MA in Strategy, University of Pennsylvania (2007) Research Interests: Strategic decision-making under AI integration Cognitive and structural drivers of innovation Organizational decision processes and design Formal modeling and empirical strategy research Editorial Roles: Senior Editor, Strategy Science and Management Science Former Editor, Organization Science Co-editor, Handbook of AI and Strategy Professional Experience: Prior role: Assistant Professor at INSEAD Previous career: CEO of an internet startup and Head of Research at an asset management firm Labs/Teams: Leading the Strategy Science division at INFORMS Co-chair of the SMS Behavioral Strategy division
Stefanos Zenios is Professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business with dual appointments in Entrepreneurship and Operations, Information & Technology . He directs Stanford GSB’s Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and co-directs the Doerr School of Sustainability ’s Program in Ecopreneurship. His Startup Garage course has launched companies like DoorDash while alumni have raised over $3B in venture capital. He co-authored the foundational Biodesign textbook and previously served as Editor-in-Chief of Operations Research . PhD, MIT Operations Research (1996) MA, University of Cambridge (1996) BA, University of Cambridge (1992) Research Focus Dr. Zenios’ work bridges operations research and innovation management , with significant contributions to: Healthcare operations : Administrative cost reduction, organ allocation optimization, and clinical workflow improvements Entrepreneurship : Venture creation frameworks and experiential education Ecopreneurship : Sustainable business model innovation His Precedents Thinking framework (HBR 2025) has gained global recognition for solving systemic inefficiencies. Current research includes the biennial Search Fund Study with Peter Kelly. Scientific Recognition INFORMS Fellow Multiple Best Paper Awards, INFORMS CAREER Award, National Science Foundation (2000) Dhirubhai Ambani Faculty Fellow (2017–2020) George E. Nicholson Award (1997) He has received extensive media coverage in Fast Company , Time Magazine , and Stanford Business . His research has been featured in over 150 press mentions including JAMA , Harvard Business Review , and Health Affairs .
Walter W. Powell is the Jacks Family Professor of Education at Stanford University, with courtesy appointments in Sociology, Organizational Behavior, Management Science and Engineering, and Communication. He serves as Faculty Co-Director of the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (PACS), which he co-founded in 2006, and leads the Civic Life of Cities Lab examining civil society organizations across global metropolitan areas. Powell is also an External Faculty member at the Santa Fe Institute and co-directs the CASBS summer institute on Organizations with MIT's Bob Gibbons. His educational background includes a PhD in Sociology from SUNY-Stony Brook (1978), an MA in Sociology from the same institution (1975), and a BA from Florida State University (1971). Powell's research fundamentally explores how ideas and practices transfer across organizational boundaries, with particular emphasis on network structures that enable or constrain knowledge diffusion. His work spans organizational theory, institutional analysis, university-industry relations, economic sociology, and comparative analysis of nonprofit, public, and private institutional forms. Powell's publications reveal consistent focus on network dynamics and institutional evolution, particularly examining how organizations navigate between market, hierarchy, and network governance structures. His research demonstrates how knowledge spillovers operate within biotechnology clusters, how institutional isomorphism shapes organizational fields, and how civil society organizations adapt to technological and economic pressures across different urban contexts. Dean's Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching (2018-19) Max Weber Award for "Neither Market Nor Hierarchy" Viviana Zelizer Prize for "Network Dynamics and Field Evolution" Administrative Science Quarterly Recognition Member of Swedish Royal Academy of Science Member of The British Academy Member of American Academy of Arts and Sciences Honorary Degrees from Uppsala University, Copenhagen Business School, and Aalto University Powell has made substantial contributions to graduate education, receiving Stanford's highest teaching honor. His leadership of PACS and SCANCOR (1999-2010) demonstrates sustained commitment to advancing organizational research through collaborative initiatives. He supervises postdoctoral fellows and runs annual PhD workshops in Europe, fostering the next generation of organizational scholars. His research has been supported by grants enabling comparative studies of university-industry relations and civil society across multiple national contexts. Through the Civic Life of Cities Lab at PACS, Powell directs comparative research on civil society organizations across seven global cities, examining how these organizations navigate technological change, economic pressures, and political environments. His work bridges theoretical organizational sociology with practical applications in philanthropy, civil society development, and knowledge transfer between academic and commercial sectors.
C.K. Lee is an Associate Professor of Management in the College of Business at James Madison University (JMU). He holds a Ph.D. in Management from Syracuse University (2017), an MBA from the University of Oxford (2010), and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2005). His research focuses on entrepreneurial entry decisions, institutional frameworks for entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, and corporate social responsibility. His work explores topics like consumer behavior in social entrepreneurship, the role of informal institutions, and high-growth entrepreneurship dynamics. Lee’s publications span journals such as the Journal of Social Entrepreneurship and Small Business Economics , addressing global entrepreneurship trends, business failure analysis, and institutional influences. He has contributed to policy-relevant studies, including the 2018 GUESS National Report on entrepreneurship in South Korea. His research has earned accolades, including the Dean's Impact Award (2021), Bierly Award for Research (2020), and multiple recognitions from the Korean Center for Social Entrepreneurship Study. Education: Ph.D., Management, Syracuse University, 2017 MBA, University of Oxford, 2010 B.A., Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2005 Lee’s advising and grant activity are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, but his extensive publication record reflects active engagement in academic and policy communities. His research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to entrepreneurship, blending institutional theory with practical applications in social and high-growth contexts.
Ram Cnaan is a Professor of Social Work and Associate Dean for Research at the University of Pennsylvania, affiliated with The Weitzman School of Design. He chairs the Doctoral Program in Social Welfare and directs the Program for Religion and Social Policy Research. His work focuses on faith-based social services, congregational welfare provision, and nonprofit management. Cnaan has authored influential books like The Invisible Caring Hand and serves on seven academic journal editorial boards. His research explores volunteerism dynamics, including pandemic impacts on donor retention, cross-national civic participation, and episodic volunteering at religious events. He investigates social entrepreneurship in public sectors and evaluates faith-based organizations' roles in reentry programs for ex-prisoners. Cnaan's recent studies address CSR innovations, donor-advised funds strategies, and prosocial behavior in diverse cultural contexts. Notable contributions include pioneering national studies on congregational social service provision and analyzing Israeli-Palestinian Muslim collaboration in aid work. His work bridges academic research with practical policy solutions for urban quality-of-life challenges.
Erik Gordon is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies and Area Chair at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. He holds degrees in economics and law, with prior roles including Associate Dean and Director of the Graduate Division of Business & Management at Johns Hopkins University, and leadership positions at the University of Florida’s Center for Technology & Science Commercialization Studies. His research focuses on entrepreneurship, venture capital, private equity, corporate governance, and FinTech. He frequently contributes to media outlets like The New York Times, Bloomberg, and Marketplace, offering insights on business trends and corporate strategy. His teaching spans advanced topics in business strategy, with a focus on real-world application and interdisciplinary approaches. Notable engagements include commentary on the pandemic’s impact on education and virtual teaching methodologies. He advises initiatives like the Wolverine Venture Fund and Zell Early-Stage Fund, emphasizing practical experience for students.
