Deans Counsel

Hosted by David Ikenberry / James Ellis / Ken Kring

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Jun 2026

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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.”

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June 12, 202637 min

90: Bill Hardgrave (Memphis) on Building Relationships and Teams

Our guest today, Bill Hardgrave, has had a remarkable career. After graduating with his PhD from Oklahoma State in Information Systems, he moved to the University of Arkansas where he developed a passion for Radio Frequency Identification, perhaps better known as RFID. After spending 17 years with this intense research focus, Bill’s career shifted into academic leadership as he was tapped to become Dean of what is now known as the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business at the Auburn University. This was an abrupt shift for Bill as he had little of the traditional academic leadership background that we often think precedes these key administrative appointments. During his 7 and half year tenure, Bill was quite successful, and in January of 2018 Auburn tapped him to become Provost, a role he filled admirably during those stressful COVID years. As of April 2026, Bill will have completed four years as President of the University of Memphis. Over the years, Bill has developed a distinct leadership philosophy, and shares several insights with us today, among them: - his journey from an Arkansas lab to the Dean’s desk- the importance of relationships to successful leadership- messaging to a shifting population- the importance of team building and how to form effective teams- maintaining vs buildingLearn more about Bill Hardgrave.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 FerryDeansCounsel.com

May 29, 202643 min

89: Joyce Russell (Villanova / AACSB) on Negotiating Compensation

In today’s episode, we hear from Joyce Russell, the Helen and William O'Toole Dean of the Villanova School of Business (VSB) from 2016 to 2023. Under her leadership, her college strengthened faculty research output, enhanced student programs, upgraded facilities, and established programs aligned with Villanova's Augustinian mission. She expanded alumni efforts and employer connections with the college, while driving fundraising and celebrating the school's centennial year. Today, Joyce has rejoined Villanova’s faculty as Dean Emeritus and serves as a Professor of Management and Operations. Joyce is also a Licensed Industrial & Organizational Psychologist and Executive Coach. For over three decades, Joyce served as an executive coach in the c-suite. More interestingly though, she has extended her practice over the last decade to also spend time coaching business school deans and provosts. In addition, Joyce has also set up a new program in collaboration with AACSB called “The Dean’s Journey” which we will hear about in this episode – a program intended to help deans as they start new deanships. Joyce lends her expertise on several subjects, including:- internal vs external salary negotiation- the right time to negotiate- the renewal process- the importance of getting it in writingLearn more about Joyce Russell.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 FerryDeansCounsel.com

May 15, 202624 min

88: Stanley Ikenberry (Illinois / ACE) Reflects on a Lifetime of Academic Leadership

In this rare and truly special edition of Deans Counsel, we are joined by the legendary Dr. Stanley Ikenberry. This posthumous publication was recorded earlier last season, just one week before his passing following a long and remarkable life. During the interview, as Jim Ellis and Ken Kring sit with an historic leader in American higher education, our co- host, Dave Ikenberry, is off mic quietly encouraging his dad to go easy on his humble moderators.We explore highlights of a career of service with lessons learned and shared from a few of the many initiatives that Stan Ikenberry led. You will hear how his lifetime of service, which included leadership roles formally culminating as the President of the American Council on Education, became a key contributor to Golden Era of higher education in the U.S. and the world. At 44, as the youngest and over time the longest serving president of the University of Illinois, he stepped up to lead the university through its most robust period of growth and development in what became the modern University of Illinois. But you will also hear stories and anecdotes that reflect the character, humanity and ultimate accountability that guided him through good times and challenging ones. Stan reflects on years of service through leadership, offering timeless advice and insights, such as:- The role of today's president- How a meeting's setting makes a difference- Leading by walking around- "Bringing people along"Learn more about Stanley Ikenberry.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 FerryDeansCounsel.com

May 1, 202638 min

87: Francois Ortalo-Magne (London Business School) on Business Research

On this episode of Deans Counsel, hosts Ken Kring and Dave Ikenberry welcome back to the podcast François Ortalo-Magné, Executive Dean (External Relations) and Professor of Management Practice in Economics and Strategy & Entrepreneurship at London Business School. He served as the School's ninth Dean from 2017 to 2024, leading it through the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical upheaval, and the sustained pressures facing global higher education. Before that, he was Dean of the Wisconsin School of Business, leading the school and university through a period of significant institutional innovation. Across sixteen years in senior leadership and sixteen years as a professor of economics, he has developed a distinctive perspective: rigorous academic research combined with operational accountability under pressure.That combination now shapes his work with students, senior executives, and boards. François helps leaders make better decisions under pressure — not through generic frameworks, but by bringing academic research in economics, psychology, and the humanities to bear on the specific, high-stakes problems they face. His approach is grounded in three questions: How do we frame this decision clearly? How do we strengthen the decision process? How do we live with the consequences — including the need for healing and repair? Francois addresses those questions, as well as such topics as:- The linkage between research and brand value - The different aspects of scholarship - Linking teaching to research funding - Addressing the headwinds of stakeholders - Sage advice to deans Learn more about François Ortalo-Magné.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 FerryDeansCounsel.com

April 17, 202633 min

86: Brooke Elliott (Illinois) on Expanding Access

On this episode of Deans Counsel, hosts Ken Kring and Dave Ikenberry speak with Brooke Elliott, the Josef and Margot Lakonishok Professor in Business and Dean of Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She leads the College in developing a compelling, strategic vision while continuing to build upon its distinctive brand and identity. This includes assessing and expanding Gies Business’ portfolio of on-campus and online programs to strengthen its position as an innovative leader among the nation’s best business schools.Prior to her current role, Brooke served as Executive Associate Dean of Academic Programs and EY Professor in Gies College of Business where she was responsible for providing strategic oversight of the Gies portfolio of academic degree and non-degree programs. Brooke also served as Associate Dean of Online where she was responsible for the development and execution of Gies’ strategy in online education and Head of the Department of Accountancy in Gies, leading one of the most innovative and high ranked accounting departments in the world.This conversation with Brooke touches on several topics, including:- Managing continual innovation - Leveraging on-line learning - AI and Accounting - Handling the drop in int’l students - Building a new business minor - Revenue management Learn more about Brooke Elliott.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 FerryDeansCounsel.com

April 3, 202639 min

85: David Thomas (Georgetown/Morehouse) on Transformational Vision

On this episode of Deans Counsel, hosts Jim Ellis and Dave Ikenberry speak with David Thomas, President of Morehouse College and Dean and William Berkeley Chair (retired) at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business.Since his installment in January 2018, he has led dynamic, purpose-driven advancement in Morehouse’s strategic and operational effectiveness, programmatic reach, and pedagogical innovation. Among other transformational successes, Dr. Thomas has overseen a fundraising acceleration which has generated nearly $330 million since his arrival—a giving total during his tenure that is higher than during any other presidential tenure in the history of the college. Under his leadership, Morehouse has extended its reach by launching its first online degree programs and has amplified its positioning as a center of intellectual discourse and social engagement in areas such as global leadership, professional equity, social justice, and innovation.Our discussion with David covers many topics, among them:- David's theory of transformation leadership- his Georgetown journey- building a strategic plan vs following strategic principles- approaching curricular change and completely designing an MBA curriculum- building student excellenceLearn more about David Thomas.Comments/criticism/suggestions/feedback? We'd love to hear it. Drop us a note at feedback@deanscounsel.comThanks 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 FerryDeansCounsel.com

March 20, 202634 min

84: Stowe Shoemaker (UNLV) on Hospitality Programs

On this episode of Deans Counsel, hosts Ken Kring and Dave Ikenberry speak with Stowe Shoemaker, a current Special Assistant to the President at UNLV, and until 2025 the Dean of UNLV's Dean Harah College of Hospitality. Since becoming Dean in 2013, Stowe has been active in advancing the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality to meet — and exceed — the Top Tier goals set by the university. His long and varied career in hospitality and gaming has garnered him numerous scholarly grants and honors including a Lincy Professorship, Michael D. Olsen Research Award, and many others.In this instructive conversation, Stowe talks about what he's learned at the intersection of business and hospitality in higher education, including:- how hospitality education has evolved and where’s it headed- the benefits and drawbacks to the current trend of blending of hospitality into many business school programs- the value proposition of management education- The Enrollment CliffLearn more about Stowe Shoemaker.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 FerryDeansCounsel.com

March 6, 202633 min

83: Steve Currall (Harvard) on Building Corporate Relations

On this episode of Deans Counsel, hosts Jim Ellis and Dave Ikenberry speak with Steve Currall, Executive Director and Associate Vice Provost for Academic-Corporate Initiatives at Harvard University, where he leads that school’s efforts to build multi-dimensional collaborations with major corporations and external stakeholders in support of research and innovation.Trained as a psychologist, Steve previously served as president of the University of South Florida, provost of Southern Methodist University, and dean of the Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Davis. In our discussion with Steve, he touches on several topics that have informed his long career in higher education:- the role universities can play in advancing society- advice on building corporate relations - insightful reflections on academic leadership- leveraging academic leadership to gain exposure to cross-campus initiativesLearn more about Steve Currall.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 FerryDeansCounsel.com

February 20, 202640 min

82: Chandra Subramaniam (CSUN) on Being a Student-centric Dean

On this episode of Deans Counsel, hosts Jim Ellis and Dave Ikenberry speak with Chandra Subramaniam, Dean of David Nazarian College of Business and Economics at California State University Northridge. He has also served as the Interim Dean, Associate Dean for Students and Programs, Chair of the Department of Accounting, and Professor of Accounting at the University of Texas at Arlington College of Business. As Dean at CSUN, Chandra has focused on making his college's specific and unique demographic successful by developing programs to enhance student skills and experience, find internships, and supporting students financially and academically. He's gained some valuable insights along the way, including:- Students are hardworking but need help with social skills- the importance of integrating CSUN into the LA community at large- Addressing student food and financial insecurities- Introducing students to competition as a tool to gain experience- Identifying threats and opportunities for this demographicLearn more about Chandra Subramaniam.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 FerryDeansCounsel.com

February 6, 202637 min

81: Robert Shepard (GG+A) on Philanthropy

On this episode of Deans Counsel, hosts Jim Ellis and Dave Ikenberry speak with Bob Shepard, a true veteran in philanthropic circles with a storied career spanning roughly 40 years, much of that running Duke University's philanthropic efforts.Today, Bob is a consultant with Grenzebach Glier & Associates, a full-service philanthropic management consulting firm (and now a part of Huron Consulting Group), where he continues to help shape philanthropic efforts at a variety of universities. In this episode, we take a deep dive into this area of philanthropy and glean some incredibly helpful observations and advice from a true pro in the field, covering topics such as:- Different approaches to dealing with the Ask - The necessity of having a solid development officer- Private or public organizational structure- Navigating conflict between athletics and academics unitsComments/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 FerryDeansCounsel.com