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Kelley School of Business

Kelley School of Business honors six alumni for their professional achievements

Posted on by George Vlahakis

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Six alumni of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business will be honored for professional achievement and volunteer leadership during the 2023 Kelley Alumni Awards Ceremony on Oct. 7 at IU Bloomington.

The Kelley Academy of Alumni Fellows recognizes alumni who have earned the stature of exceptional leaders by their demonstrated successes in organizations and their contributions to management philosophies and practices. This year’s class of fellows includes:

  • Tom Cole, BS’82, retired co-head of U.S. Leveraged Finance at Citigroup Global Markets
  • Yousuf Mahomed, MD, MBA’15, professor emeritus of surgery at the IU School of Medicine and co-founder, owner, and CEO of Mahomed Sales & Warehousing, LLC
  • Deidra (Dee) Merriwether, MBA’97, chief financial officer at Grainger
  • Michelle Wu, BS’01, senior vice president Core IT at Brenntag

The Distinguished Entrepreneur Award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated the ability to establish a new business or turn around or significantly grow an established business. This year’s award will be presented to Greg Oslan, BS’82, CEO of Arturo.

Derek Hicks, MBA’02, executive vice president & chief business officer at Intellia Therapeutics, will receive the Volunteer Leadership Award. He is recognized for extraordinary involvement with and investment in the Kelley School and for inspiring and impacting future generations of alumni leaders.

“It is an immense honor to celebrate the achievements of these exceptional alumni, who have positively impacted the global business landscape while promoting Kelley’s culture of collaboration and support,” said Ash Soni, dean of the Kelley School and The Sungkyunkwan Professor. “They embody the very essence of what it means to be a Kelley, and their journey from our classrooms demonstrates the transformative power of a Kelley education.”

The Kelley School of Business Alumni Association selects and confers members of the Academy of Alumni Fellows, which now includes 257 individuals. Read more about this year’s award recipients. (more…)

Kelley professor travels with Indy Chamber to study Switzerland’s work-based learning system and bolster Indiana’s workforce

Posted on by George Vlahakis

Delegates in the Indy Chamber’s Leadership Exchange gathered for a discussion at the FIFA Museum in Zurich.

ZURICH – Phil Powell, executive director of the Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, is among a delegation of more than 100 business, government, nonprofit and education leaders who have traveled to Switzerland to study the country’s work-based learning system.

The delegation, which also includes IU President Pam Whitten and her peers at Butler University, the University of Indianapolis and Marian University, is learning more about Switzerland’s apprenticeship system and how its best practices may be applicable to Ascend Indiana’s Modern Apprenticeship Program.

They have traveled there though the Indy Chamber’s Leadership Exchange (LEX), an annual event described as “an exclusive immersion into the economic infrastructure of other major metropolitan areas.” The IBRC is a session sponsor and Powell is providing opening remarks for a panel discussion on Sept. 20, “Role of Intermediaries in the Dual Education System.”

Phil Powell, left, and Tony Denhart, executive vice president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, discussed how to make apprenticeships a competitive asset for the state.

“The focus is all about workforce. The objective is to learn how universities, businesses, and government came together to build regional apprenticeship systems in Switzerland,” said Powell, also an associate clinical professor of business economics.

The IBRC published a special issue of the Indiana Business Review to provide pre-reading for the delegation. The highlight article is a study of the Indianapolis workforce that it just completed.

Jason Kloth and Stephanie Bothun, president and vice president respectively of Ascend Indiana, co-wrote an article about the importance of apprenticeships today in Indiana. The organization works with all Indiana universities – including IU – to match graduates with jobs.

In 2020, Employ Indy and Ascend Indiana launched the Modern Youth Apprenticeship program, which has been successful thus far. It may provide a basis for future efforts.

95% of Swiss high school graduates enter the labor force with a post-secondary credential. A share of working age adults significantly higher than Indianapolis participates in the labor market. Income tax rates in Indiana and Switzerland are similar.

“Per capita real GDP in Indy only grew 1% between 2007 and 2021. Compare this to 16% in our peer cities. Real labor productivity only grew 3%. Indianapolis will enter an irreversible poverty trap without bold vision from business, government, and education leaders,” Powell said.

“We will return with ideas to positively disrupt the way we prepare Hoosiers for high wage, high fulfillment jobs,” he added. “The future of prosperity in our city of Indianapolis depends upon it.”

Previously, LEX delegations have traveled to cities across North America, including Minneapolis, Nashville, San Antonio, San Diego and Toronto, to learn how those cities have addressed needs pertaining to public transportation, homelessness and other issues.

U.S. News ranks Kelley School undergraduate program and eight specialties in the top 10

Posted on by George Vlahakis

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business continues to deliver a quality experience for undergraduate students, as demonstrated through another top 10 ranking among all business schools in the U.S. News rankings.

The Undergraduate Program at the Kelley School in Bloomington is ranked eighth overall and No. 1 in the state of Indiana. Eight specialty programs are ranked in the top 10 and nine are in the top 15.

“U.S. News’ overall No. 8 ranking of our Undergraduate Program is certainly impressive, but it is also a story of consistency and delivering high quality business education across all disciplines and fields,” said Ash Soni, dean of the Kelley School and the Sungkyunkwan Professor.

Ash Soni

“Over the last decade, the program has consistently been ranked in the Top 10 along with many of our disciplines,” Soni added. “This year, four of our disciplines are ranked in the Top 5 in the U.S., eight in the Top 10, and nine in the Top 15. This shows that our graduates are getting an education from one of the best programs in the country, no matter what their major is.”

Kelley’s marketing program is ranked third; both accounting and entrepreneurship were fourth; management; fifth, information systems, seventh; production and operations management, ninth; and finance and business analytics, each 10th.

The school rose eight spots in rankings of international business specialties, from 23rd to 15th.

Kelley also was ranked eighth last year and is fourth overall among public institutions.

Soni said he appreciates hearing from students and their families about how they see tremendous value in the education Kelley offers, and from companies who recruit its graduates.

The program distinguishes itself from others through initiatives such as Kelley Compass, which helps students build their personal brand and develop their career path based on values, interests, personality, and skills. The school also offers a portfolio of support services for students, including a one-on-one mentoring program offered to every incoming student.

Kelley’s frequently copied I-Core program helps students attain an understanding of the cross-functional relationships between finance, marketing, operations, and leadership.

U.S. News only ranks undergraduate programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and results are solely based on surveys of deans and senior faculty. Its peer-assessment score is based on two years of data about programs that are considered the best in a variety of specialty areas.

Kelley School announces partnership with Suzy to empower the next generation of market researchers

Posted on by George Vlahakis

NEW YORK — Suzy, a leading end-to-end market research software platform, announced a groundbreaking partnership with Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

This collaboration is a first of its kind for the Kelley School and will provide students with unparalleled access to cutting-edge market research tools and insights, fostering the development of the next wave of innovative business thinkers.

The Kelley School, renowned for its world-class business and marketing education, will be incorporating Suzy’s market research platform into its curriculum.

Ann Bastianelli

Ann Bastianelli

The class, led by Ann Bastianelli, Teaching Professor of Marketing, is working with renowned, enterprise brands over the course of the year to help solve business challenges. With Suzy, the students will be able to use the platform and advanced research methodologies to enhance their consumer insights. This collaboration aligns with both Suzy’s mission to democratize market research and the Kelley School’s commitment to providing students with real-world, applied learning experiences.

“As CEO of Suzy, I am honored to partner with Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, an institution known for nurturing the brightest minds in the business world,” said Matt Britton. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with Suzy’s vision to revolutionize market research by putting powerful insights into the hands of those who will shape the future of business. Together, we’re equipping students with the tools they need to innovate, disrupt, and lead in an ever-changing market landscape.

“A special thanks to Professor Bastianelli for her innovative thinking in forging this partnership.”

Founded in 2018, Suzy is changing the way research gets done by integrating quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, and high quality audiences into a single connected research cloud. Suzy enables teams to conduct iterative, efficient research with agency-quality rigor at a fraction of the cost of traditional market research. Suzy has been recognized on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Startup Employers in 2022, Inc. Magazine’s list of Best Workplaces of 2022 & 2023, and as a GRIT Top 50 Most Innovative Supplier in Market Research.

Suzy has raised over $100 million in venture capital funding from investors that include Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments, Foundry Group, H.I.G. Capital, Rho Ventures, North Atlantic Capital, Tribeca Venture Partners, Triangle Peak Partners, and Kevin Durant’s 35 Ventures.

The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University is ranked eighth nationally for undergraduate business education by U.S. News & World Report, with the marketing program ranked third nationally. Known for its commitment to academic excellence and real-world applications, the Kelley School continually produces graduates who are poised to become leaders in the global business community.

Life sciences conference series contributes to innovation and collaboration among Indiana firms

Posted on by George Vlahakis

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana Life Sciences Collaboration Series, presented by the Center for the Business of Life Sciences at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, addresses issues facing Indiana companies and Hoosiers in general.

Topics that will be discussed during the 2023-24 series include persistent disparities in access to health treatment, the effect of the Inflation Reduction Act on the cost of prescriptions and healthcare plans, and the expanding involvement of Big Tech firms on the industry.

Now in its 17th year, the conference series receives support from BioCrossroads, Indiana’s leading initiative to grow, advance and invest in the life sciences. Darshan Shah, executive vice president for data and AnalytiXIN at the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership and serves on the advisory council for Kelley’s Center for the Business of Life Sciences, said the conferences provide a valuable forum for discussing key issues facing the state’s life sciences industry.

Darshan Shah

Darshan Shah

“As a frequent attendee of IU’s Center for the Business of Life Sciences’ convenings, I know the value of the information shared by some of the leading minds and innovators working in the life sciences sector,” said Shah, who has regularly attended the conference series since while he was completing his MBA at Kelley School. “It’s an excellent place to learn about the challenges we face and to find your place as part of the solution.”

The Center for the Business of Life Sciences brings together key players from industry, academia, government, and economic development communities to share ideas and expertise. It drives the Kelley School’s life sciences agenda and provides connections to its outreach and research activity and its academic programs.

“BioCrossoads’ role over the years to educate people as to the industry’s size and significance to the state has gained it much respect and credibility. Having their support and involvement will help do the same for the conferences,” said George Telthorst, the center’s director. “BioCrossroads is a touchpoint for many start-ups they invest in as well as strong relationships with large long established companies in the industry.”

George Telthorst

George Telthorst

Telthorst said the healthcare ecosystem is so tightly interconnected that it makes sense to look at the bigger picture though the conferences, as opposed to focusing strictly on life sciences companies.

“It’s better to think of it more as a ‘value web’ and not a ‘value chain’ – things impacting one part can be felt throughout the system. Many of these issues impact all companies and communities in one way or another as payers, providers, and consumers,” he said.

“The series gives people from across the ecosystem a reason to get together and make connections they otherwise might not have made. It also provides opportunities to learn from seasoned executives and researchers and build a sense of camaraderie and synergies among professionals working in this highly regulated industry.”

Here’s the schedule for the conference series:

  • Dec. 1, at Roche Diagnostics in Indianapolis – “Closing the Gap of Health Equalities.” The program will examine ongoing efforts to improve both the delivery of healthcare and health-related social factors like access to healthy foods, access to transportation and safe neighborhoods, which influence health outcomes.
  • Feb 16, 2024, at Ice Miller LLP in Indianapolis – “Industry Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act.” Various stakeholders from across the industry will share their perspectives on the law’s current and future effects on healthcare plans, product portfolios and patient choices and costs.
  • April 19, 2024, at the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute in 16 Tech Innovation District in Indianapolis – “Tech: Don’t Be Afraid of Healthcare!” Close observers and “those in the trenches” will provide analysis of Big Tech companies like Microsoft and Alphabet and their attempts to expand into healthcare.

The registration fee is $450 for the series or $175 for individual conference and lunch is included. Registration can be done online or by contacting Kelli Conder at the Kelley School at 812-856-0915 or kconder@indiana.edu. Full-time students an at accredited Indiana institution of higher learning may qualify for a student discount. Contact Conder for more information.

Series sponsors are Commissioning Agents, Inc., Elevance Health, Lilly, LabCorp and Reckitt Benckiser. Other sponsors are Blueprint Marketing Group, Boston Scientific, Cook, Crowe, Deloitte, Fort Wayne Metals, hc1, Ice Miller, the Indiana Clinical and Transitional Sciences Institute, Miles Printing, Paragon, Purdue University, Roche and Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP.

Marketing sponsors are the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, Indiana Health Information Exchange, IU Office of University Relations, and Linking Pharma Women.

Marketing education innovators honored with the Jack R. Wentworth Lifetime Impact Award

Posted on by George Vlahakis

Lopo Rego/Jonlee Andrews/Rosann Spiro/Pat Hopkins

From left, Lopo Rego, Jonlee Andrews, Rosann Spiro and Pat Hopkins.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Two retired marketing faculty at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business – Jonlee Andrews and Rosann Spiro – were honored on Aug. 17 with the Jack R. Wentworth Lifetime Impact Award.

The Wentworth Award is named for the three-time alumnus who taught at Kelley from 1959 to 1997 and led the school as its dean from 1984 to 1993. Wentworth helped establish the Consortium for Graduate Studies in Management, which supports MBA students from underrepresented populations, as well as the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and the Center for Real Estate Studies. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 89.

The Wentworth Award recognizes the lifetime achievements of “truly exceptional individuals who had a substantial and enduring impact on the Kelley School and the marketing discipline through their research, teaching, and service.” Recipients are chosen for the highly selective award through a vote of senior marketing faculty and approval from the dean.

Like Wentworth, Andrews and Spiro helped lay a foundation for Kelley’s success – working to position the school as a leading marketing program today.

“It’s nice to stop and reflect on the cumulative contributions and impact that an individual can make over time,” said Pat Hopkins, vice dean of Kelley Bloomington and the Conrad Prebys Professor. “The colleagues we are honoring today – Jonlee Andrews and Rosann Spiro — have made wonderful, lasting contributions to the Kelley community through their scholarship, teaching, leadership and mentorship.”

Hopkins spoke about how Andrews and Spiro heightened research and scholarly discussion among their peers, engaged and collaborated with corporate partners and hiring companies and inspired and propelled students toward success.

“On top of all that, you have been exceptional colleagues,” he added. (more…)

Eleven students from Indiana chosen for prestigious Kelley Scholars program

Posted on by George Vlahakis

Photos of six Kelley Scholars

Presenting the 2023 Kelley Scholars: Top, left to right, Teresa Yu, Colten Adams and Emma Sandman. Bottom, from left, Maya Gorney, Abigail Ortiz and Nicole Liu.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Eleven incoming Indiana University freshmen from across the Hoosier state have been selected as Kelley Scholars at the Kelley School of Business.

The Kelley Scholars, who intend to major in business at IU Bloomington, will receive standard tuition and fees, a stipend for living expenses and funding for academic activities such as overseas study.

The Kelley Scholars Program is funded by a multi-million-dollar gift from E.W. “Ed” Kelley and his family, made to IU in the fall of 1997. The university named its school of business for the Kelley family in acknowledgment of the gift.

This year’s class of Kelley Scholars was selected from a group of top students admitted to IU, who were invited to apply for the program because of their outstanding academic records. The application included references, a high school transcript, several personal statements on a variety of topics and an essay.

The incoming Kelley Scholars are:

Colten Adams, a graduate of Benton Central High School. He is a Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, and was salutatorian of his graduating class. He ran cross country and track and earned Academic All State honors in both sports. Adams was senior class president, a student council member, and a 10-year 4-H member. He earned the Presidential Volunteer Service Award gold distinction for his volunteer work within his school, church, and community. He plans on majoring in finance with a minor in political science and economics.

Kerry Ao, a graduate of Signature School in Evansville. He was valedictorian of his class, named an AP Scholar with Distinction, and awarded his International Baccalaureate Diploma. He served as business club president, Math National Honor Society vice president, student council treasurer, and a member of the National Honor Society. He represented Indiana at the 2023 United States Senate Youth Program. He is the co-founder of Intertwined, an AI-driven financial education software company, and was awarded TechPoint Mira Student Entrepreneur of the Year. He plans on majoring in finance and international business.

Mia Cochran, a graduate of Floyd Central High School in Floyds Knobs. She graduated summa cum laude and served as both president of National Honor Society and vice president of her class. She was named AP Scholar with Distinction, Indiana’s Rising Star, and “Ms. Floyd Central” for excellence in academics, leadership, service, and character. She was co-captain of the girls varsity swim team and was selected Academic All-State. In addition, she was a member of the student council and Rotary International Interact Club. She plans on majoring in finance with a co-major in Law, Ethics, and Decision-Making.

Allison Craig, a graduate of Columbus East High School. During her high school career, she was president of both Best Buddies and Student Assembly. She was also an All Conference and 2nd Team All-State soccer player, member of the Champions Together Committee, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Honors Society member, and member of the basketball team. She plans on majoring in marketing and professional sales.

Maya Gorney, a graduate of Lake Central High School in St. John. During her high school career, she founded a Women’s Empowerment Club, was named an AP Scholar with Distinction, graduated summa cum laude, and played varsity tennis. Additionally, she was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in other volunteer activities within her community. She plans on majoring in accounting and finance.

Haley Hunt, a graduate of Carmel High School. During high school she was a freshmen mentor, member of the National Honor Society, officer for the CCPL Teen Library Council, and named a National Merit Finalist. She also founded a book donation organization that promotes literacy for underprivileged youth in Indianapolis. She plans on majoring in management and entrepreneurship.

Dariush Khurram, a graduate of Carmel High School. During his high school career, he was a National Merit Scholarship finalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction. In the summer of 2020, he co-founded an organization in his area with the goal of creating a more educated and unified community. Through this organization, he has helped coordinate numerous speaker panels, put up a large-scale mural, and run multiple fundraising events. Dariush was also an editor for his award-winning school newspaper and was involved in senate, peer tutoring, National Honor Society, Rho Kappa, and Model UN, among other clubs. He plans on majoring in business management.

Nicole Liu, a graduate of Noblesville High School. During her high school career, she was the president and co-founder of Peonies, a women’s advocacy group, served as a VOICE Indiana Ambassador and won CFTFK’s National Youth Advocate Group of the Year, and was the co-editor-in-chief of the literary magazine. She was a national qualifier in DECA, won the Scholastic Gold Medal and the Scholastic American Voices Award for her writing, and graduated summa cum laude. She plans on majoring in marketing.

Abigail Ortiz, a graduate of Ben Davis High School. During her last two years of high school, she interned with AES Indiana through the Modern Apprenticeship program within the company’s public relations team. She was highly involved in DECA. In addition, she was a member of National Honor Society, an Honors Student, a Top 30 student in her graduating class. She plans to study marketing.

Emma Sandman, a graduate of Shelbyville High School. During her high school career, she was a three-sport varsity athlete, senior class president, high school mentor, deacon, and a barista at a local coffee shop. In addition, she was named a Lilly Community Endowment Scholarship finalist and an AP Scholar. She plans on majoring in Finance.

Teresa Yu, a graduate of Carmel High School. She was the board liaison and communication chair of Carmel Key Club, vice president of the National Chinese Honor Society, the cello section leader of her school’s Philharmonic orchestra, a member of her school’s orchestra council and Symphony orchestra, a social studies peer tutor, a counselor at an art summer camp, and a volunteer at her local library. She was an AP Scholar with Distinction, a Constitution Day Poster Design Contest National Finalist, and received a language department award. She plans on majoring in marketing.

Headshot photos of five Kelley Scholars

Presenting the 2023 Kelley Scholars: Top, from left, Kerry Ao, Haley Hunt and Dariush Khurram. Bottom, from left, Mia Cochran and Allison Craig.

Kelley School of Business among top schools for management research

Posted on by Kelley School

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business is among the top 10 business schools in the United States in terms of management research productivity, according to an annual index compiled by Texas A&M University and the University of Georgia.

The Kelley School was ranked eighth nationally in the latest TAMUGA Ranking of Management Department Research Productivity, which tracks faculty research contributions to eight of the most-influential scholarly journals in the discipline of management.

Kelley also was ranked 12th worldwide.

The ranking gauges business schools based on the number of publications in eight top management journals by their faculty members. Research output by faculty in Kelley’s Department of Management & Entrepreneurship was more than any other business school in Indiana. It ranked second in the Big Ten, behind only the University of Iowa.

The Kelley School moved up in these management research rankings, rising from 12th in 2021 and 32nd in 2020.

Portrait of Erik Gonzalez-Mulé wearing a business attire

Erik Gonzalez-Mulé

Erik Gonzalez-Mulé, the Randall L. Tobias Chair in Leadership, associate professor of organizational behavior and human resources, and chair of the department, said the rankings reflect the support for scholarly research by Kelley School leadership as well as his peers’ desire to advance management knowledge.

“The Kelley School is committed to research excellence, and we are grateful for the resources and support afforded to our faculty so they are able to do their best work. Our department’s faculty members have consistently demonstrated their exceptional talent, intellectual curiosity, and unyielding passion for advancing management knowledge. These rankings are just the latest indicator of our collective productivity, which has been on a consistent upward trajectory.”

Kelley School Dean Ash Soni joined peers from nine other top business schools for meetings with leaders in Washington

Posted on by George Vlahakis

Dean Ash Soni and his colleagues at other business schools met at the White House with Jared Bernstein, chair of Council of Economic Advisers, and Lael Brainard, director of the National Economic Council.

WASHINGTON – Ash Soni, dean of the Indiana University Kelley School of Business, joined a delegation of 10 business school deans who met on June 15 with legislative and business leaders and economists in Washington, D.C.

It was the first time that deans of the nation’s top business schools had come together collectively for such a series of meetings with U.S. senators and House representatives.

Afterward, they traveled to the White House and met with Jared Bernstein, President Joe Biden’s chief economist and chair of the Council of Economic Advisers; and Lael Brainard, director of the National Economic Council and former vice chair of the Federal Reserve.

They began the day with a breakfast meeting with leaders of the Business Roundtable, including its CEO, Joshua Bolten.

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) and U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) co-hosted the delegation at the U.S. Capitol, where they spent nearly two hours discussing issues with legislators and members of their staffs. Among those also in attendance were Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).

The delegation also included deans from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, McCombs School at the University of Texas, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

After the meeting congressmen and their aides, Dean Ash Soni spoke with Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), who co-hosted the meeting.

The purpose of the meetings was to discuss strategies to keep American businesses globally competitive and dynamic and to educate the next generation of diverse leaders to prioritize investing in America and our workforce, Khanna and Young said in a joint news release.

“A major part of that leadership is the ability to collaborate across the public and private sectors, which is why this event is important,” Young said. “I am grateful that these business school deans are sharing their time, ideas, and expertise with us, and I look forward to additional collaboration in the months and years to come.”

“This event is a great start to encourage collaboration between the private and public sectors and foster a spirit of unity among the next generation of leaders,” Khanna added.

Business schools will help build the future economy and mold the next generation of business leaders, so it’s important for deans be a part of these conversations, Young and Khanna said.

One question united every meeting: How can America’s business schools educate future leaders and support America’s economic future?

Soni, who also is the Sungkyunkwan Professor at Kelley, said conversations focused on issues at the forefront of business and governance, including the future of artificial intelligence, global health innovation, and sustainability practices.

“It mainly was a free-flowing conversation about issues and it was very bipartisan,” he said. “The business world moves very fast, and discussions like these are vital to ensure we’re all working toward a vibrant and innovative economy. It was very useful dialogue and a very good start. It was something that I look back on and value.”

On a personal level, Soni said his visit to the White House will be a precious memory. He has visited our nation’s capital many times, including through Kelley’s involvement in the Washington Campus educational consortium, which offers an intense five-day program of immersion courses. He had been to the White House as a tourist with his grandchildren, but never to the West Wing.

“It’s cramped. The corridors are narrow. The staircases are narrow. Offices are not that big. The waiting areas are small, but you know you are in the West Wing,” he recalled.

One member of the delegation previously worked in the White House. As they gathered for one of their meetings, he pointed to the ceiling and said, “We are right below the Oval Office.” At that moment, it impressed upon Soni just how close he was to the seat of executive power in the U.S. government.

In addition to the formal meetings, the delegation provided deans with opportunities to meet each other and discuss common issues and interests. Members of the group will follow up with each other later this summer.

“It was good to have the Kelley School there as part of that group,” Soni said. “Hopefully we’ll do this on an annual basis.”

The deans began the day with a breakfast meeting with leaders of the Business Roundtable, including its CEO, Joshua Bolten (fourth from left)

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