AACSB Announces 2019 Class of Influential Leaders

Press Releases
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Fourth annual Influential Leaders challenge recognizes 33 outstanding business school graduates.

TAMPA, Fla., USA (February 5, 2019)—Through passionate commitment to sustainability, public service, philanthropy, and more, business school graduates make a positive global impact. Today AACSB International (AACSB)—the world’s largest business education alliance—honors 33 such graduates as its 2019 Class of Influential Leaders. An annual initiative, the challenge recognizes notable alumni from AACSB-accredited schools whose inspiring work serves as a model for the next generation of business leaders.

Included among the AACSB 2019 Class of Influential Leaders are the following individuals:

  • Helena Helmersson, COO at H&M group and alumna of Umeå University’s Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics
  • David Timis, EU civics outreach fellow at Google, co-founder of European Heroes, and global shaper at the World Economic Forum, and graduate of the University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School
  • Ann-Marie Campbell, executive VP of U.S. Stores at The Home Depot and alumna of Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business
  • Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints quarterback, founder of the Brees Dream Foundation, and graduate of Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management
  • Kiyo Ogushi, president and CEO of Fuji Xerox Learning Institute, Inc. and alumna of the International University of Japan Graduate School of International Management
  • Karim Baalbaki, chairman and managing director, BCI Holding S.A. and graduate of the American University of Beirut’s Suliman S. Olayan School of Business

Each honoree is recognized as a leader or innovator within their industry, a contributor to their community or society, and an inspiration to future business leaders. The stories of how each of the 33 honorees, representing schools in 13 countries, have positively influenced their industries and society are available at aacsb.edu/influential-leaders.

“The diversity of backgrounds, industries, and career paths of the 2019 Class of Influential Leaders demonstrates that AACSB-accredited schools are preparing graduates to succeed as they pursue their passions,” said Thomas R. Robinson, president and CEO of AACSB. “We are honored to recognize these alumni, and the business schools that prepared them, as leading examples of business education as a force for good in the world.”

Now in its fourth year, the Influential Leaders challenge has recognized almost 200 business school graduates for creating lasting impact in business and society. All honorees have earned an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree from one of the more than 800 AACSB-accredited business schools worldwide. For more information on the Influential Leaders challenge, and to view a full list of honorees, visit aacsb.edu/influential-leaders.

About AACSB International


As the world’s largest business education alliance, AACSB International (AACSB) connects educators, students, and business to achieve a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders. Synonymous with the highest standards of excellence since 1916, AACSB provides quality assurance, business education intelligence, and professional development services to more than 1,600 member organizations and over 800 accredited business schools worldwide. AACSB’s mission is to foster engagement, accelerate innovation, and amplify impact in business education. The global organization has offices located in Tampa, Florida, USA; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Singapore. For more information, visit aacsb.edu.