Deans Counsel

David Ikenberry / James Ellis / Ken Kring
  • 5.0 (7)
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Being a Dean in today’s modern university is without a doubt one of the most challenging jobs in higher education. With ever changing tensions and pressures from conflicting constituencies, the job can be both overwhelming yet intensely invigorating at the same time. However, by design, it’s also one of the most lonely jobs in the Academy. Where can one turn for confidential advice? In this podcast we interview Business School Deans peer-to-peer to hear their perspective on a wide variety of pressing issues. Please join your panelists Ken Kring, Senior Client Partner in the Philadelphia office for the search firm Korn Ferry and Co- Managing Director of their Global Education Practice, Jim Ellis, former dean of the Marshal School at the University of Southern California and Dave Ikenberry, former dean of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder for this latest edition of ….. “Deans Counsel.”

  1. 5D AGO

    78: (DC REWIND): Bernie Banks (Rice) on Leadership Development at Large Scale

    [This recording of Deans Counsel originally published on August 22, 2025 as episode #69.] On this episode of Deans Counsel, Jim Ellis and Dave Ikenberry speak with Bernard "Bernie" Banks, Director of Rice University’s Doerr Institute for New Leaders (and a Clinical Professor of Management within the University’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business). The mission of the Doerr Institute “…is to elevate the leadership capacity of Rice students and to improve the practice of leader development in higher education.”   Most recently, Bernie served on the faculty and senior leadership team at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management from 2016-2024 prior to arriving at Rice. Bernie retired from the U.S. Army in 2016 as a Brigadier General after having successfully led West Point’s Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership in his final assignment. In addition to having studied leadership extensively, he has led multiple military units ranging in size from 10 to over 3000 people.   In this instructive conversation, Bernie relates to our hosts some of the experiences he's gleaned through his decades as an inspiring leader, touching on topics such as: - his objectives as Director of the Doerr Institute - how he measures effectiveness - acquainting students with the leadership mindset - creative approaches to leadership development Learn more about Bernie Banks. Comments/criticism/suggestions/feedback? We'd love to hear it. Drop us a note at feedback@deanscounsel.com Thanks for listening. - Produced by Joel Davis at Analog Digital Arts -- DEANS COUNSEL: A podcast for deans and academic leadership. James Ellis | Moderator | Dean of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (2007-2019) David Ikenberry | Moderator | Dean of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado-Boulder (2011-2016) Ken Kring | Moderator | Co-Managing Director, Global Education Practice and Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry DeansCounsel.com

    37 min

  2. DEC 12

    77: Nate Sharp (Texas A&M) on Launching Flex On-Line Masters Programs

    On this episode of Deans Counsel, hosts Dave Ikenberry and Ken Kring speak with Nate Sharp, the Dean of Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, where he is leading the school through a period of historic growth and innovation. His tenure has been marked by record-setting fundraising, the first media campaign to enhance Mays’ national reputation, the opening of the first new building at Mays in more than two decades, and the launch of an ambitious graduate facility project slated for completion in early 2029. Just as importantly, he has prioritized investment in faculty and staff, building strong teams and fostering a culture of recognizing and rewarding excellence in research, teaching, and service.  Nate is a respected scholar in the area of financial reporting, and his research has received multiple best-paper awards. As you'll learn in this episode, he believes the future of business education belongs to leaders who embrace change, take risks, and stay true to their institution’s values. In this engaging discussion, Nate shares his unique insights on Deaning, covering topics such as: - Dealing with resistance to change  - Building state-of-the-art On-line masters programs - Visiting deans at aspiring schools  - The Texas political climate  Learn more about Nate Sharp. Comments/criticism/suggestions/feedback? We'd love to hear it. Drop us a note. Thanks for listening. - Produced by Joel Davis at Analog Digital Arts -- DEANS COUNSEL: A podcast for deans and academic leadership. James Ellis | Moderator | Dean of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (2007-2019) David Ikenberry | Moderator | Dean of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado-Boulder (2011-2016) Ken Kring | Moderator | Co-Managing Director, Global Education Practice and Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry DeansCounsel.com

    43 min

  3. NOV 28

    76: Bridget Madrian (BYU): The "Insider" Comes Home

    On this episode of Deans Counsel, hosts Dave Ikenberry and Jim Ellis speak with Bridget Madrian, the Dean and Marriott Distinguished Professor in the Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business where she has a joint appointment in the Department of Finance and the George W. Romney Institute of Public Service and Ethics.  Bridget Madrian studied economics at BYU as an undergrad, and after obtaining her Ph.D at MIT, she served on the business school faculty at Harvard, University of Chicago, Wharton and Harvard Kennedy before returning to BYU for her current role. In this wide-ranging interview, Bridget shares her insights on Deaning, covering topics such as: - Bridget's journey back to BYU - Initial Challenges and Surprises she's faced as a Dean - Strategies for balancing work with her personal life - How she's improved BYU's already-excellent accounting program - Her approach to implementing her strategic vision and mission Learn more about Bridget Madrian. Comments/criticism/suggestions/feedback? We'd love to hear it. Drop us a note. Thanks for listening. - Produced by Joel Davis at Analog Digital Arts -- DEANS COUNSEL: A podcast for deans and academic leadership. James Ellis | Moderator | Dean of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (2007-2019) David Ikenberry | Moderator | Dean of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado-Boulder (2011-2016) Ken Kring | Moderator | Co-Managing Director, Global Education Practice and Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry DeansCounsel.com

    37 min

  4. NOV 14

    75: Ian Williamson (UC-Irvine) on Preparing for the Future of Work

    This episode of Deans Counsel is the last of three featuring special guest host, Alex Triantis, Dean of the Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins University, and a previous guest (on Episode 16) of the podcast. Alex and co-host Dave Ikenberry speak with Ian Williamson, Dean of the Paul Merage School of Business at the University of California-Irvine, since January 2021. Ian is a globally recognized expert in the area of human resource management. His research examines the impact of “talent pipelines” on organizational and community outcomes. Williamson has assisted executives in over 20 countries across six continents enhance firm operational and financial outcomes, improve talent recruitment and retention, enhance firm innovation and understand the impact of social issues on firm outcomes. Ian recently published "The Conversation on Work," a book examining the shifting landscape for graduate business careers. Much of today's discussion revolves around this multi-faceted topic, and touches upon: --the dramatic changes workers and the tools they use have undergone --employer expectations and what they look for in business school graduates --current and future demand for business undergrads --international mobility   Learn more about Ian Williamson Learn more about our special guest host, Alex Triantis Comments/criticism/suggestions/feedback? We'd love to hear it. Drop us a note. Thanks for listening. - Produced by Joel Davis at Analog Digital Arts -- DEANS COUNSEL: A podcast for deans and academic leadership. James Ellis | Moderator | Dean of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (2007-2019) David Ikenberry | Moderator | Dean of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado-Boulder (2011-2016) Ken Kring | Moderator | Co-Managing Director, Global Education Practice and Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry DeansCounsel.com

    31 min

  5. OCT 31

    74: Francisco Veloso (INSEAD) on The Truly Multinational Business School

    This episode of Deans Counsel is the second of three featuring special guest host, Alex Triantis, Dean of the Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins University, and a previous guest (on Episode 16) of the podcast. Alex and co-host Jim Ellis speak with Francisco Veloso, Dean of INSEAD, The Business School for the World. Professor Veloso joined INSEAD from Imperial College Business School, where he served as Dean from 2017 to 2023. Previously, he was the Dean at Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics in Portugal. Professor Veloso is a leading authority in entrepreneurship and innovation and his expertise is recognized by government and policy makers. He previously acted as an advisor on innovation, entrepreneurship and industrial development to both the Portuguese Government and to European Commissioner Carlos Moedas. He is also a trusted advisor and Board Member to several startups and established firms.  In this internationally-focused conversation, Veloso talks about the first two years of his experience managing a truly global business school with campuses in Europe, Asia, Middle East and the US. Some of the highlights include: -changes in international student flow during this period of protectionism -investment in career services -managing faculty -- and his time -- across multiple international locations -Francisco's advice for deans Learn more about Francisco Veloso Learn more about our special guest host, Alex Triantis Comments/criticism/suggestions/feedback? We'd love to hear it. Drop us a note. Thanks for listening. - Produced by Joel Davis at Analog Digital Arts -- DEANS COUNSEL: A podcast for deans and academic leadership. James Ellis | Moderator | Dean of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (2007-2019) David Ikenberry | Moderator | Dean of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado-Boulder (2011-2016) Ken Kring | Moderator | Co-Managing Director, Global Education Practice and Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry DeansCounsel.com

    37 min

  6. OCT 17

    73: Lee Newman (Instituto de Empresa - IE) on Driving Innovation

    This episode of Deans Counsel is the first of three featuring special guest host, Alex Triantis, Dean of the Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins University, and a previous guest (on Episode 16) of the podcast. Alex and co-host Ken Kring speak with Lee Newman, Dean of Instituto de Impresa (IE) Business School and a professor of Behavioral Science and Leadership at IE University in Madrid, Spain. After years of experience as a consultant and technology entrepreneur, following his MBA and Masters in Technology and Policy from MIT, Lee returned to school in 2009 to get his PhD from the University of Michigan. His interdisciplinary PhD combined the fields of cognitive psychology and computer science, focusing on AI and cognitive neuroscience while those fields were still in their infancy. Soon after launching his professorial career at IE, he was asked to lead a new School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, which later morphed into the School of Human Science and Technology. After 11 years of leading those two schools, he was selected to lead IE Business School in 2021, at a university founded by entrepreneurs.  In this informative episode, Lee:  -reflects on why innovation is now so critical for business education, particularly in the age of AI -explains why it's important for a business school to be market-centric -describes why a focus on competency-based learning will transform how business is taught in the future -spells out how business must mix with other disciplines to better foster the skill of strategic foresight Learn more about Lee Newman Learn more about our special guest host, Alex Triantis Comments/criticism/suggestions/feedback? We'd love to hear it. Drop us a note. Thanks for listening. - Produced by Joel Davis at Analog Digital Arts -- DEANS COUNSEL: A podcast for deans and academic leadership. James Ellis | Moderator | Dean of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (2007-2019) David Ikenberry | Moderator | Dean of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado-Boulder (2011-2016) Ken Kring | Moderator | Co-Managing Director, Global Education Practice and Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry DeansCounsel.com

    33 min

  7. OCT 3

    72: Oliver Yao (Delaware) on Leading at a Fast Pace

    On this episode of Deans Counsel, hosts Ken Kring and Jim Ellis speak with Oliver Yao, Dean of the University of Delaware's Lerner College of Business and Economics, a role he took on in August 2023. Oliver Yao’s research interests are in the inter-disciplinary fields of information systems and supply chain management, including business value of IT-enabled supply chains, economics of electronic and mobile commerce, bullwhip effect and VMI, CPFR and CRM. His publications have appeared in Management Science, Information Systems Research, MIS Quarterly, Marketing Science, Operations Research, Journal of Operations Management, Production and Operations Management, among others. In an interview that moves almost as quickly as Oliver does, he shares with our hosts his thoughts and experiences regarding: - the overwhelm and challenges he faced early on in his role at Lerner - his approach to setting priorities - especially in the face of financial constraints - how Oliver's background in information systems influences his strategic planning - philanthropy and how he learned to embrace it - quickly Learn more about Oliver Yao Comments/criticism/suggestions/feedback? We'd love to hear it. Drop us a note! Thanks for listening. - Produced by Joel Davis at Analog Digital Arts -- DEANS COUNSEL: A podcast for deans and academic leadership. James Ellis | Moderator | Dean of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (2007-2019) David Ikenberry | Moderator | Dean of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado-Boulder (2011-2016) Ken Kring | Moderator | Co-Managing Director, Global Education Practice and Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry DeansCounsel.com

    33 min

  8. SEP 19

    71: Todd Milbourn (SMU) on Approaching a First Deanship

    On this episode of Deans Counsel, hosts Ken Kring and Dave Ikenberry speak with Todd Milbourn, the newly-installed 10th Dean of the Edwin L. Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University. He holds the Tolleson Chair in Business Leadership and the Andrew W. Chen Endowed Chair in Financial Investments. An experienced and visionary academic leader, Todd is dedicated to advancing teaching and research, supporting top academic talent, and engaging the business community to help prepare the next generation of business leaders for the opportunities ahead.  Milbourn came to SMU from the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was the Hubert C. and Dorothy R. Moog Professor of Finance. In his 25 years at Washington University, Milbourn recruited leading faculty from top universities, expanded the Ph.D. program, led the rollout of several specialized master’s programs and facilitated the establishment of four new research centers. In his most recent role as deputy dean, he helped lead the school’s strategic efforts to align with the broader university’s strategic plan and increase engagement with the St. Louis business community.  In this episode, Todd talks about his experiences in over a quarter century in academia, and his impressions of his new role, less than 100 days into the job (as of this interview date). Subjects discussed include: - why he made this move to Deaning - his approach to onboarding - Todd's strategic planning proces - what he learned on his "Listening Tour" - how to construct a leadership team Learn more about Todd Milbourn Comments/criticism/suggestions/feedback? We'd love to hear it. Drop us a note! Thanks for listening. - Produced by Joel Davis at Analog Digital Arts -- DEANS COUNSEL: A podcast for deans and academic leadership. James Ellis | Moderator | Dean of the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California (2007-2019) David Ikenberry | Moderator | Dean of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado-Boulder (2011-2016) Ken Kring | Moderator | Co-Managing Director, Global Education Practice and Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry DeansCounsel.com

    37 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Being a Dean in today’s modern university is without a doubt one of the most challenging jobs in higher education. With ever changing tensions and pressures from conflicting constituencies, the job can be both overwhelming yet intensely invigorating at the same time. However, by design, it’s also one of the most lonely jobs in the Academy. Where can one turn for confidential advice? In this podcast we interview Business School Deans peer-to-peer to hear their perspective on a wide variety of pressing issues. Please join your panelists Ken Kring, Senior Client Partner in the Philadelphia office for the search firm Korn Ferry and Co- Managing Director of their Global Education Practice, Jim Ellis, former dean of the Marshal School at the University of Southern California and Dave Ikenberry, former dean of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder for this latest edition of ….. “Deans Counsel.”

Information

  • Creator
    David Ikenberry / James Ellis / Ken Kring
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    79
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 Deans Counsel
  • Show Website
    Deans Counsel