Q: What attracted you to the opportunity to lead Stoltz School of Business?
A: Business is an area where Christians can use their gifts to serve, influence, and steward resources well; I was drawn to Northwestern because they don’t treat faith and business as two separate conversations.
I was also excited about the opportunity to build. Stoltz School of Business is new in name, but already has a strong foundation. I want to honor that and also ask, “What if we could shape this school into something incredible over the next five or ten years?”
Q: President Hoornbeek described your leadership style as a “practitioner-scholar model”. What does that look like in practice?
A: For me, the practitioner-scholar model means that while we value and care deeply about scholarship, we are constantly asking how that knowledge applies in the real world.
What happens when you have a tough conversation with an employee, face an ethical dilemma, miss a financial goal, deal with an unhappy customer, work for a leader who doesn’t communicate well, or the marketplace shifts overnight?
My business background taught me that organizations are about people, decisions, relationships, execution, and results. My academic background taught me the importance of explaining the theory and principles behind those decisions. Blending these two worlds as a dean and professor lets me help students connect the dots.
Q: Since starting, what have you learned about the school?
A: One thing became obvious quickly: our faculty truly cares about our students. That’s a huge strength.
I have also been really impressed by our students. They want to be challenged, and I immediately noticed their maturity, engagement, and desire to learn.
Our opportunity now is to build on those strengths by intentionally connecting students to the marketplace. We have access to an incredible business community in the Twin Cities. I want students to interact with executives, entrepreneurs, alums, and organizations throughout their education.
Q: What is your vision for the business school?
A: My vision is for Stoltz School of Business to be known for developing world-class business professionals who are known just as much for their character as their competence.
Ultimately, students should walk across the stage at graduation knowing they don’t have to choose between being excellent business professionals and living on mission. Their faith can impact every part of their career.
Q: What skills do you believe are most often lacking when an entry level business professional starts their career?
A: Much of what separates a good young professional from a great one isn’t technical at all.
Employers look for people who communicate clearly, take initiative, don’t get defensive with feedback, solve problems instead of waiting for instruction, work well with different personalities, and understand how their job fits into the larger organization.
We can instill these qualities in our students and push them to think critically instead of simply memorizing information.
Q: You oversaw considerable growth in your previous deanship at Belhaven University School of Business. What lessons from that experience do you bring to UNW?
A: Growing a program starts with relevance and quality. It requires listening to students, faculty, alumni, employers, and the marketplace. Business is always changing, which means business education has to change with it. We must protect quality teaching and our Christian mission, but we shouldn’t be afraid to change delivery methods or programs as the culture around us changes.
Growth is a team effort. You gain momentum when people understand your vision and have a role in helping you reach it.
Q: What are some of your short-term goals as you begin your leadership of Stoltz School of Business?
A: My short-term goal has been to learn and listen. When you walk into a place with a strong culture and amazing things happening, you need to spend time learning what exists before you start trying to create change.
Q: What are a few highlights of your time at UNW so far?
A: The people. I’ve been encouraged by our faculty, staff, and the students I’ve met. I’ve also really enjoyed beginning to build relationships in the Twin Cities business community. Every person I meet reinforces my belief that we are in the best location possible.
But the part that excites me most? It’s that we are at the beginning of something profound. We’re going to build on our foundation and raise up great leaders for the Great Commission—leaders who serve with integrity and courage and make a lasting impact in the marketplace. I’m honored to lead this next chapter.
