AACSB International Recognizes 100 Pioneers and Change Agents as Recipients of its Inaugural Influential Leaders Challenge

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 22, 2015 /CNW/ -- Around the world and every day, graduates from AACSB-accredited universities inspire others, exemplify an innovative mindset, and make meaningful contributions to society across all facets of commerce—whether they operate within large corporations, small businesses, or the nonprofit sector. Today at its 2015 Annual Accreditation Conference, AACSB International (AACSB), the global accrediting body and membership association for business schools, recognized the work of 100 such notable alumni and their schools, and revealed the inaugural group of its "Influential Leaders from AACSB Business Schools" Challenge.

The Influential Leaders represent a unique and inspirational array of trailblazers, including the CEO of one of the world's largest global relief services, a technology pioneer who is working to cure cancer, the founder of a global e-commerce powerhouse, and an enterprising president attributed with reviving an international toy industry favorite. More than 20 industry sectors, from consumer products to healthcare to nonprofits, across 21 countries, are present in this year's group.

"As AACSB commemorates its Centennial Anniversary, the opportunity arose for accredited business schools to collectively reflect on, recognize, and celebrate notable graduates," said Thomas R. Robinson, president and chief executive officer of AACSB. "The Influential Leaders Challenge recognizes business schools for their work in developing exceptional leaders and industry innovators, and the 100 individuals announced today represent a global medley of alumni, with diversity across industry, background, position, culture, gender, and age. We congratulate our inaugural group, and thank their nominating schools for providing both a solid business foundation, as well the encouragement for all alumni to engender dramatic community or social change."

For the nomination process, AACSB developed a short list of open-ended questions that provided a framework for expectations for nominees. From April to June 2015, AACSB-accredited schools submitted notable alumni who have made (or are making) an impact in the world through their business acumen, leadership abilities, or entrepreneurial success. From the nominations, a selection committee reviewed and chose stories that showed a sampling of the positive impact that business school graduates have made on society.

"The Influential Leaders challenge is the story of how AACSB-accredited schools and their esteemed alumni are positive catalysts for change," said William H. Glick, chair of AACSB's Board of Directors and Centennial Committee, and dean of the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University. "As we look ahead to our next 100 years, society's expectations of management education's role—and those in leadership capacities—will continue to rapidly evolve. We can learn from the Influential Leaders and participating schools about creating impactful change. I am very pleased to recognize each, and congratulate their nominating schools."

For the full list of recipients, visit www.aacsb.edu/Influential-Leaders.

About AACSB International
Founded in 1916, AACSB is an association of more than 1,450 educational institutions, businesses, and other organizations in 90 countries and territories. AACSB's mission is to advance quality management education worldwide through accreditation, thought leadership, and value-added services. As the premier accreditation body for institutions offering undergraduate, master's, and doctorate degrees in business and accounting, AACSB offers a wide array of services to the management education industry. AACSB's global headquarters is located in Tampa, Florida, USA; its Asia Pacific headquarters is located in Singapore; and its Europe, Middle East, and Africa headquarters is located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

SOURCE AACSB International

For further information: Amy Ponzillo, Senior Manager, Public Relations, [e-mail], 813-507-5452, http://www.aacsb.edu/