Bernard Banks, Kellogg School of Business, Northwestern University

Dr. Bernard (Bernie) Banks is a noted expert on the subjects of leadership and organizational change. Currently, he is the Associate Dean for Leadership Development and Inclusion and a Clinical Professor of Management at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

Brandy Edmondson, Carlson School, University of Minnesota

Brandy joined the Initiative from Spelman College, where she graduated in May 2016 with a BA in Economics. As an undergraduate, Brandy spent time as a research assistant, mentor, and peer tutor in economics.

Terry Esper, Fisher School of Business, Ohio State University

Dr. Terry L. Esper is Associate Professor of Logistics in the Department of Marketing and Logistics at the Fisher College of Business of The Ohio State University. In 2018 he was honored with the Williams-Qualls-Spratlen (WQS) Multicultural Mentoring Award of Excellence by the American Marketing Association.

Aziza Jones, Rutgers University & University of Wisconsin

Aziza Jones is a PhD candidate in the Marketing Department at Rutgers University. She received a BS in marketing, management, and entrepreneurship from the University of Wisconsin—Madison in 2013.

Michael Kimbrough, Smith School of Business, University of Maryland

Dr. Michael Kimbrough is an associate professor and area chair in accounting and information assurance at the University of Maryland Smith School of Business.

Denise Lewin Loyd, Geis School of Business, University of Illinois

Dr. Denise Lewin Loyd is an Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois.

Izuchukwu Mbaraonye, University of Nebraska

Izu Mbaraonye is a third-year PhD student in management at the University of Nebraska. His research interest centers on how firms and firm leaders interact with non-market stakeholders.

Dionne Nickerson, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University

Dr. Dionne A. Nickerson joined the Department of Marketing at the Indiana University Kelley School as an assistant professor. She received her PhD in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.

Shana Redd, Broad School of Business, Michigan State University

Shana Redd is a Professor of Practice in the Marketing Department and a fifth-year marketing PhD student in the Broad College of Business at Michigan State University. Shana teaches undergraduate and masters-level courses, including new product development, marketing strategy, conjoint analysis, corporate innovation, and data visualization in Tableau.

Luis Rios, Krannert School of Business, Purdue University

Dr. Luis Rios is an assistant professor of strategic management at Purdue’s Krannert School of Management.

Jose Uribe, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan

Jose Uribe is an assistant professor in the Management and Organizations Department at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.

Michele Williams, Tippie School of Business, University of Iowa

Dr. Michele Williams is an assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship and a John L. Miclot Faculty Fellow in Entrepreneurship at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business.

Marie Zara, PhD Project affiliation; KPMG

Marie Zara is the director of advancement at The PhD Project, KPMG U.S. Foundation in Montvale, New Jersey.

Moderator Idie Kesner, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University

Idalene (Idie) Kesner is the dean and the Frank P. Popoff Chair of Strategic Management at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business.