Learn about the program from those who made it!
DBA alumni ambassadors around the world
North America
USA - Connecticut
Dr. Benjamin Powers, DBA 2017 graduate
Director, Global Literacy Hub at the Yale Child Study Center
benjamin.powers@yale.edu
linkedin.com/in/benjaminpowers
Doctoral Dissertation: “A Study of the Relationship among Personal-Level Variables, Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy, and Entrepreneurial Intention: The Case of Male and Female Adolescents with Dyslexia”
Industry: Education
Interests: Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Education Research, Entrepreneurship
Bio:
Benjamin Powers is a practitioner, researcher, and advocate who integrates research and practice to benefit children and adults with reading and attention issues.
After completing a BA in Russian, he holds an Executive MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology and a Doctorate from Grenoble Ecole de Management; his doctoral research focused on the self-esteem and self-efficacy perceptions of adolescents with dyslexia and ADHD to understand the impact on social-emotional well-being and career intentions.
Additional interests include developing collaborative and scalable implementation models across LD/ADHD, bilingual, bidialectal, and vulnerable communities. He speaks on topics related to dyslexia, literacy, ADHD, and Executive Functions, building community partnerships to close the literacy gap and support the needs of diverse students, and developing sustainable platforms of opportunity for all learners.
Dr. Powers is the Executive Director of The Southport School & CoLAB; Director of the Global Literacy Hub at the Yale Child Study Center; and, Executive Director of The Dyslexia Foundation.
USA - Pennsylvania
Dr. Maung K. Min, DBA 2013 graduate
Director of Business Programs/Associate Teaching Professor, Penn State University - Lehigh Valley campus
maungkmin@hotmail.com
linkedin.com/in/maungkmin
Doctoral Dissertation: “Does Corporate Social Responsibility really contribute to Corporate Financial Performance in the Pharmaceutical Industry?”
Industry: Education (University Faculty); Pharmaceutical (prior); Management Consulting; Engineering
Interests: SoTL, Sustainability Reporting and Strategy, International Business, Management Education, University Teaching, Lean Sigma, Global travel, Alternative Rock, Arsenal diehard
Bio:
Dr. Maung K. Min is Director of Business Programs/Associate Teaching Professor at Penn State University Lehigh Valley where he manages both the B.S. Business (BSB) and B.S. Project and Supply Chain Management (BSPSCM) programs.
Dr. Min’s teaching portfolio includes the following courses: Management Concepts, International Business Operations, Strategic Planning (capstone), Sustainable Business Strategies. He also holds a visiting faculty role at Rutgers University in New Jersey.
Prior to joining academia Dr. Min was a management executive with over 30 years of experience in the areas of Sustainability, Responsible Sourcing, Manufacturing, and Lean Sigma. He has worked globally including long term assignments in Italy and Puerto Rico. Dr. Min’s multi-disciplinary research interest is in Sustainable Business focusing on corporate sustainability strategy, reporting, and risk management in Supply Chain.
His interest also lies in the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (SoTL) where his research includes incorporating sustainability concepts in management courses for betting business decision making. He has publications in numerous peer-reviewed journals.
USA - Louisiana
Dr. David Baker, 2007 graduate
Endowed Professor of International Business and Sales Management
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
dbaker@louisiana.edu
linkedin.com/in/dr-david-baker-3168b01
Doctoral Dissertation: ““ A Social Influence Based Model of Contextual Utilization of Sales Management Technology within a Multinational Business-To-Business Sales Force”
Industry: Higher Education/Marketing/Strategy (prior professional experience in Food, Hospitality, Printing, and Publishing)
Interests: Cross-cultural values and adaptation, International Sales Management, Technological Adaptation, Pedagogical Innovation, Hiking, Biking, and Rose Gardening. Huge Tour De France fan for over 40 years.
Bio:
David is a 2007 DBA graduate and an Endowed Professor of International Business and Sales and Marketing at The University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the USA. He currently holds three Endowed Professorships for Teaching and Research at ULL.
He worked for 17 years in Corporate Marketing in various locations around the world primarily in Channel Management, Strategic Channel Planning, Strategic Marketing Management, and General Business Unit Management for U.S. and European corporate organizations. Upon joining academia, Dr. Baker pursued a DBA from Grenoble to supplement his professional experience with academic research skills. He has published in The Academy of Management Learning and Education, The Journal of Personal Selling and Sales Management, International Marketing Review, and has over 20 other peer-reviewed international journal publications. He has also presented research at numerous global conferences including The Academy of Management, The Academy of International Business, and The Global Sales Science Institute.
USA - California
Dr. Shailesh Rana, DBA 2017 graduate
Director for the University Business Center, Craig School of Business, California State University, Fresno
srana@csufresno.edu
linkedin.com/in/shailesh-sal-rana-dba-48603788/
Doctoral Dissertation: “An Analysis of Global Economic Linkages and Transmission of Risk within the US Growth and Value Equity Portfolios: A Financial, Economic, and Accounting Perspective."
Industry: Higher Education / Finance
Interests: Finance / Economic Development / Business School Extension Programs
Bio:
Dr. Rana provides leadership for the University Business Center in developing relationships with regional businesses, governmental and community-based organizations in the creation of programs to enhance the Craig School of Business outreach efforts and its role in community economic development. Dr. Rana also serves as a lecturer for the Craig School of Business, teaching Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, and Corporate Finance classes.
He successfully published in the peer-reviewed journal Applied Economics while pursuing his doctorate degree. His research has been published in a number of leading academic journals including International Journal of Bank Marketing, and Emerging Markets Review. His research interests include US and Global Financial Markets, Financial Technology & Innovation, Behavioral Finance, and general Corporate Finance.
Dr. Rana also holds an MBA and B.S. in Business Administration (Finance) from California State University, Fresno.
USA - California
Dr. Afshin Kateb, DBA 2019 graduate
Chief Financial Officer, Nimes Real Estate and Nazarian Enterprises
afshin.kateb@sbcglobal.net
linkedin.com/in/afshin-kateb-65949921/
Doctoral Dissertation: “Old Dogs New Tricks: Incumbent Lodging Companies Entering Emerging Field Which Requires Mastering New Practices.”
Industry: Hospitality, Real estate
Bio:
As Chief Financial Officer, Afshin Kateb brings over 25 years of hospitality and real estate industry experience to Nimes Real Estate. Mr. Kateb manages the finance department, including accounting, tax, internal & external reporting, treasury/cash management, risk management, asset management, and financial planning & analysis. He also plays a very active role in the company’s acquisitions and project management areas.
Prior experience also includes CFO of SBE where he provided strategic financial and operational oversight for its portfolio of hotels, restaurants and nightlife assets. Prior to SBE, he was a Senior Vice President of Lowe Enterprises Investors (portfolio manager responsible for asset management, portfolio management and structured finance of investments of a $1 billion portfolio), founding CFO of KOR Group a/k/a Viceroy Hotel Group (oversaw the company’s development of a portfolio of assets that included 3,200 multi-family units, various domestic and international real estate development projects and approximately 2,000 hotel rooms under management), VP of Planning and Analysis at Destination Hotel and Resorts, and management roles at Ernst & Young and ITT Sheraton Corporation.
Dr. Kateb also holds an M.B.A. degree from Pepperdine University and B.S. degree in Accounting from Woodbury University.
Mexico
Dr. Miguel Del Rio, DBA 2021 graduate
University Lecturer, BIU - Broward International University, Florida
linkedin.com/in/migueldelrio/
Doctoral Dissertation: “Dominant Logic in the Media Industry: Insights from the Evolution of Televisa”
Industry: Education & Research
Interests: Marketing and Strategy
Bio:
Miguel Del Rio has a strong business background with international experience and a solid graphic design competence. With experience in strategic analysis emphasizing a marketing approach, he is highly skilled in delivering meaningful, fun, and insightful teaching experiences in online or face-to-face classrooms.
South America
Uruguay
Dr. Isabelle Chaquiriand, DBA 2020 graduate
Dean of the Faculty of Business Sciences at the Catholic University of Uruguay, member of the board of HSBC Bank Uruguay
isabelle.chaquiriand@ucu.edu.uy
linkedin.com/in/isabellechaquiriand/
Doctoral Dissertation: “The Relationship between the Business Model of Angel Networks and their Social and Economic Impact in Latin America & Caribbean”
Industry: Education, Packaging Industry
Keywords: General Management, Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Social Impact, Corporate Governance
Bio:
Isabelle is Dean of the Business School at the Catholic University of Uruguay (UCU) and professor and researcher of entrepreneurship, strategy and general management. She is vice-president of the Board of ATMA, a leading manufacturing industry in Uruguay, columnist in several media outlets and member of various advisory councils of non-profit organizations.
She has received recognition for her accomplishments including being ranked 23rd among the 100 best business leaders in Uruguay, named Chevalier dans l´Ordre national du Mérite by the Government of France (2022), DCH CEO Award for Excellence in People Management (2021), Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year (EY, 2016) and Manufacturing Industry Entrepreneur of the Year (2010, 2011).
Europe
France
Dr. Frank Rouault, DBA 2015 graduate
Founder and Principal, Practical Learning France
p.l.france@orange.fr
linkedin.com/in/frankrouault/
practicalearning.com/
Doctoral Dissertation: “Exploring Cultural Engines in Intercultural Management Training”
Keywords: Strategy Execution; Intercultural, Learning Engineering, Work Best Practices
Industry: Consulting
Bio:
Since 1999, Frank Rouault is the Director at Practical Learning the smart way to learn®, www.practicalearning.com - consulting firm that helps management teams achieve their desired performance through explicitly and practically framing, aligning and executing their business strategy, particularly in multicultural contexts. The unique angle Practical Learning provides is to work in a way that both serve the needs and the goals of organizations and the development needs of individuals and their employability.
Prior to this Frank, worked as a Senior International Accounts Manager for Learning International – Achieveglobal (Korn Ferry), a European Training Manager for Herman Miller and started in Sales and Marketing in North America for Goëmar International, a biotech lab using sea plants and seawater.
Frank holds a BBA from EPSCI – ESSEC, an Advanced Master in Entrepreneurship, and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Grenoble Ecole de Management. He has published + 30 business books and articles. His passions include sailing and cooking, publishing a book on “stuffed vegetables”.
United Kingdom
Dr. Jonas Abraham Akuffo, DBA 2018 graduate
Head of Pricing Delivery at NHS England
joabraham11@hotmail.co.uk
linkedin.com/in/dr-jonas-akuffo-dba-fcmi-mba-b490867/
Doctoral Dissertation: “Corporate Governance and Bank Accountability: The Role of Accountability in Improving the Quality of Corporate Governance Disclosures in Bank Annual Report – A UK Perspective”
Industry: Healthcare finance and regulation
Interests: Finance, Banking, Corporate Governance, Accountability, Healthcare
Bio:
Dr Jonas Akuffo is a trained finance and business management expert who is currently working in a senior management position in strategic finance and pricing within the healthcare industry. Jonas is a co-founder of Jatawell Group limited, a recently launched private medical tourism and advisory company. Previously, Jonas held various senior posts in institutions across the banking and finance industry and was also a senior associate lecturer in finance and accounting (part time) for both MSc and MBA students.
Jonas is a Fellow of Chartered Management Institute (FCMI) since 2012 and is a published author with his first book titled ‘Corporate Governance and Accountability of Financial Institutions: The Power and Illusion of Quality Corporate Disclosure’ published in January 2021 by Palgrave Macmillan.
He holds a Joint Doctor of Business Administration in Accounting & Finance from Grenoble Ecole De Management (France) and Newcastle University (UK), a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance with distinction from Grenoble Ecole De Management, a post graduate degree in Business Economics, Finance & Banking from University of Portsmouth and a BA Economics from the University of Ghana.
Dr Jonas current research interests include accountability, corporate governance, healthcare financing and pricing, strategic corporate finance and management control systems.
West Africa
Ghana
Dr. Amanobea Boateng, DBA 2016 graduate
Female Entrepreneurship Expert, SME and Gender Consultant
amanobea@polka.co.za
linkedin.com/in/amanobea-boateng-2a0a9451/
Doctoral Dissertation: “Small Businesses in Deprived Communities: The Case of South African Black Female Owned SME's”
Industry: Entrepreneurship, Training, Financial Planning
Interests: Female entrepreneurship, SME support design, Capacity building and entrepreneurship training, Gender mainstreaming, Grant management
Bio:
Dr. Amanobea Boateng is an International Consultant with many years of experience in the field of small business development and a special interest in female entrepreneurship and financial inclusion. She is founder of the Women's DNA Fund and its non-profit subsidiary, Women's DNA Foundation (DNA stands for develop, nurture, advance). WDNA Fund provides an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs in the missing middle, while the foundation provides support to women and youth entrepreneurs at the grassroots. Activities to date have focused on the delivery of Personal Initiative Training to entrepreneurs. After having worked in different African countries for major consultancy firms Price Waterhouse Cooper and KPMG, and gold mining companies Gold Fields Limited and Anglo American Corporation, Dr. Boateng she is eager to share her experience by helping to develop entrepreneurship and SMEs in Africa. Her passion for female entrepreneurship has led to her first book, published by Palgrave Macmillan, entitled ‘African Female Entrepreneurship: Merging Profit and Social Motives for the Greater Good’.
Middle East
Lebanon
Dr. Esther Bassil Sleilati, DBA 2011 graduate
Associate Professor Notre Dame University – Louaize
esther.sleilati-external@grenoble-em.com
linkedin.com/in/esther-bassil-sleilati-72037546/
Doctoral Dissertation: “The effects of the ISO 9000 Certification of firms in Lebanon upon the satisfaction of their customers in the business-to-business Lebanese market: The case of the packaging industry”
Industry: Higher Education
Interests: Digital Marketing, Marketing Strategies, Consumer Behavior
Bio:
Dr. Esther Bassil Sleilati graduated from Notre Dame University with a BBA in Marketing with honors and with an MBA with distinction. She then got her DBA in Marketing from Grenoble Ecole de Management, France with the congratulations of the jury in 2011.
She started her career as a Corporate Marketing Researcher and later was promoted to Marketing Intelligence Unit Manager and led a team of 96 researchers. In 2005, she joined NDU as a part-time Marketing instructor where she is now an Associate Professor. She is an Affiliate Professor at Grenoble Ecole de Management where she is a Visiting Professor, a DBA and Masters theses supervisor, and a DBA jury member. She is equally a Visiting Professor at ICD International Business School in Paris, and at the Institute of Management Technology in India and Dubai.
Asia
China
Dr. Kai Wang, DBA 2013 graduate
Founder and CEO of Shanghai Shenxinkai Energy Technology,
Kai.wang@vip.163.com
WeChat: 13916212116
Doctoral Dissertation: “The impact of double standard of ethical policy on purchasing personnel’s ethical evaluation and behavioral tendency of gray marketing in China”
Industry: Energy
Interests: Marketing, Business Ethics, Behavioral
Bio:
Dr. Wang Kai is mainly engaged in integrated energy and clean energy services, new energy project development, investment, operation and merger and acquisition services, and the development and trade of new products with efficiency and energy conservation.
Dr. Wang Kai has worked in ABB, GE Energy, KOCH Industries and SUMITOMO for more than 20 years and has experience in technology, marketing and sales, senior management and industry consulting of multinational companies. His work involves assisting the government and group customers to optimize the industrial structure, energy structure, new energy optimization, energy use rights and carbon emission rights in the fields of energy, electricity, industry and new industries to improve the energy consumption system.
In addition to being Founder and CEO of Shanghai Shenxinkai Energy Technology, Dr. Wang is a Postdoctoral researcher at Haas Business School of the University of California, Berkeley; an MBA Enterprise Tutor of the University of Science and Technology of China; and a Consultant of Shanghai Electric Group and Chairman of Wujing, Minhang District, China Democratic Alliance.
China
Dr. Caitlin Li, DBA 2016 graduate
Assistant Professor, Guangdong University of Finance
lxlgj@gduf.edu.cn
Doctoral Dissertation: “Social Network, entrepreneurial learning and Performance of Firms in Industry Clusters”
Industry: Higher Education
Interests: Research/Entrepreneurship, strategy
Bio:
Dr. Caitlin Li has been working in the university with international background, experienced in international corporations, program management and teaching strategic management, corporate governance and management. Prior to academia, Dr. Li spent years in international business.
Dr. Li also holds an MBA from Sun-yat Sen University and has study experience in SDA Bocconi University, Italy.
Her research interests include strategy, entrepreneurship, social reasonability and national finance. She successfully published a book on national finance and articles.
China
Dr. Jie Chen, DBA 2019 graduate
Associate Professor Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Director of the Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
94123769@qq.com
Doctoral Dissertation: “An Empirical Study on the Relationship between Carbon Emissions, Technological progress and Economic growth in China”
Industry: Sustainability and Energy Economy
Interests: Carbon Emissions, Technological Progress, Economic Growth
Bio:
Dr. Chen Jie graduated from Grenoble Ecole de Management in France and Santa Ana University in Italy with a doctorate in management. At present, she is an Associate Professor of Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications. She also serves a Postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Berkeley; a Chongqing Bayu Young Scholar; and Director of Chongqing Regional Economic Association.
Her research interests are low-carbon and energy economy. She has presided over a general project as well as a major bidding project of the National Social Science Foundation and presided over more than 20 provincial and ministerial projects.
She has published more than 20 papers in Applied Energy and other journals and published 2 academic monographs. She won the second prize of Chongqing Teaching Achievement Award and the third prize of Science and Technology Progress Award of China Mechanical Engineering Society.
Updated 5/13/2024