AACSB’s Dan LeClair Named CEO Of Global B-School Network

Dan LeClair is leaving the AACSB to become CEO of the Global Business School Network

After a 19-year stint in senior leadership roles at AACSB International, Dan LeClair is leaving the business school accreditation agency to become Chief Executive Officer of the Global Business School Network. The appointment, effective Feb. 12, puts the long-time business education leader in charge of advancing efforts to bridge industry connections with business schools.

For the past two and one-half years, LeClair served as executive vice president & chief strategy and innovation officer for the AACSB. During this time at the agency, he also has held the roles of the chief operating officer for seven years and chief knowledge officer for five years. He joined the AACSB in 1999 as its director of knowledge services which churned out research on management education.

Most recently, LeClair oversaw a major overhaul of strategic planning resulting in a new mission to connect academia to business and accelerate innovation in business schools. He also led AACSB’s advocacy and awareness investments, including branding, social media, content, and public relations, and efforts to globalize its professional development portfolio, now including nearly 100 conferences and seminars and a growing number of digital courses.

The Global Business School Network partners with business schools, industry, foundations, and aid agencies to improve access to quality locally relevant management education for the developing world. Its members include more than 70 leading business schools on six continents.

‘ADVANCING BUSINESS EDUCATION WORLDWIDE IS MY PASSION’

Dan LeClair’s appointment will increase GBSN’s effectiveness and make the organization fit for the future,” said Soumitra Dutta, chairman of the GBSN board of directors, in a statement. “His extensive experience in business education will help accelerate innovation across the GBSN network.”

“Advancing business education and development worldwide is my passion, and it is an honor to be selected as Chief Executive Officer,” said Dan LeClair. “I look forward to working with the GBSN team and the network base to chart new directions for the organization.”

Prior to AACSB International, LeClair was an associate dean and an academic economist at the University of Tampa College of Business. He holds a master’s and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Florida.

Widely recognized as a thought leader in management education, LeClair is the author of over 80 research reports, articles, and blogs, and has delivered more than 170 presentations in 30 countries.