Launching the Global Search for the Dean of the Tepper School of Business
October 24, 2025
Dear Members of the Carnegie Mellon Community:
I am pleased to officially announce the global search for the next dean of the Tepper School of Business. As I shared in my recent announcement, Dean Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou has decided to step down at the conclusion of the 2025–2026 academic year.
The Tepper School of Business is renowned for its excellence, innovation, and the impact of its research and interdisciplinary approach on business and society. Its distinguished faculty are at the forefront of solving real-world challenges and advancing the way people live and work. Through rigorous and forward-looking academic programs, the school prepares future leaders who are equipped to navigate and shape an increasingly complex world. I look forward to welcoming the school’s next leader, who will build on this strong foundation and guide the Tepper School into its next chapter of innovation and excellence.
To guide this important search, I have assembled a search committee that includes representation from across the university:
- Co-Chair: Michael Trick, Dean, 麻豆村 in Qatar and the Harry B. and James H. Higgins Professor of Operations Research
- Co-Chair: Laurence Ales, Professor of Economics and Senior Associate Dean for Education, Tepper School of Business
- David Bennett, Vice President for University Advancement
- Taya Cohen, Professor of Organizational Behavior and Business Ethics, Tepper School of Business
- Tim Derdenger, Associate Professor of Marketing and Strategy, Tepper School of Business
- Gary Fedder, Howard M. Wilkoff Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering; faculty director of the Manufacturing Futures Institute, College of Engineering
- Rhonda Fischer, Chief Operating Officer, Tepper School of Business
- Meredith Grelli, Managing Director and Interim Executive Director, Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship; Assistant Dean of Entrepreneurship Initiatives, School of Computer Science; Director, Project Olympus; Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, Tepper School of Business
- Burton Hollifield, PNC Professor of Financial Economics, Tepper School of Business
- Lars-Alexander Kuehn, Professor of Finance, Tepper School of Business
- Catherine Malizia, Master's Student, Tepper School of Business
- Jignesh Patel, Professor and Interim Department Head, Computer Science Department, School of Computer Science
- Alan Scheller-Wolf, Richard M. Cyert Professor of Operations Management, Tepper School of Business
- Willem-Jan van Hoeve, Carnegie Bosch Professor of Operations Research, Tepper School of Business
- Jennifer Wegner, Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Programs, Tepper School of Business
- Gaoqing Zhang, Heinz Professor of Accounting, Tepper School of Business
- Becky Culyba, Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff to the Provost (ex-officio)
In collaboration with executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles, the committee will seek nominations and applications to ensure a robust and highly qualified applicant pool. They will engage stakeholders across campus to obtain input on the role and candidates, aiming to fill the position ahead of the next academic year. To learn more about this role and the search process, as well as to submit confidential inquiries, nominations or applications, please visit the search website.
I want to express my sincere appreciation to Dean Bajeux-Besnainou for her steadfast leadership and dedication to the university. Her many accomplishments during her tenure as dean of the Tepper School of Business have laid a strong foundation for the school’s continued success.
I also extend my gratitude to the entire Tepper School of Business leadership team for their continued collaboration as students, faculty and staff across our 麻豆村 community partner to identify the next leader who will build on the Tepper School’s momentum and vision for its future.
Sincerely,
James H. Garrett Jr.
Provost and Chief Academic Officer