Favorite Business School Professors Of Best & Brightest MBAs

“Jim Lecinski. His class, Marketing Strategy for Growth & Defense, convinced me to major in marketing at Kellogg. He helped me see that marketing could be applied in many settings outside what I would typically call a marketing role. I have since taken another class with him on omnichannel strategy and see many opportunities to apply his teachings to my portfolio companies when I return to private equity. Professor Lecinski brings an unmatched energy level to every class, even at 8:30 am on a cold Chicago morning. He regularly brings his expertise and learnings from his career at Google and elsewhere to the classroom, equipping us with practical frameworks to apply in our careers. He also maintains strong relationships with Kellogg alumni and other business leaders, often showing us his conversations with them as part of our case discussions. I plan to keep in touch with Professor L. after my time at Kellogg.”
Amir Parikh, Northwestern University (Kellogg)

“My favorite MBA professor was Alex Castrounis from the Applied AI for Business course. He didn’t just teach AI; he taught me how to speak it. His unique ability to break down complex AI concepts and translate them into practical, actionable business strategies was invaluable. The course not only provided a solid technical foundation, but also equipped me with the language and confidence needed to collaborate effectively with highly technical AI engineers and data scientists. His mentorship has profoundly shaped my strategic thinking and approach to AI innovation.”
Will Tan, Northwestern University (Kellogg)

“Professor of Finance Michel Vetsuypens is my favorite professor because of his engaging and unique teaching style. He has a talent for weaving storytelling into lectures, making complex financial concepts both entertaining and memorable. He doesn’t just give you “the correct way” to solve a problem – he challenges students to think critically by first walking through weaker approaches and building up to a reveal of the ideal approach (when estimating a company’s Beta, for example). This method deepens understanding and forces students to truly grasp the theory behind the concepts rather than just memorizing formulas. He isn’t shy about calling students out when they answer questions incorrectly, pushing us to engage more deeply with the material. His teaching style, energy, and high standards made his class one of the most impactful in my MBA experience.”
Jack Reagor, Southern Methodist University (Cox)

“Professor John Doggett. I’ve had the pleasure of taking two courses with him during my time in the MBA program – Entrepreneurial Growth and Opportunity Identification & Analysis. Professor Doggett’s classes are electrifying, and he consistently challenges students to think critically, take bold risks, and advocate for their ideas with conviction. He also has an uncanny ability to bring out the best in his students, challenging every individual to push past conventional thinking and embrace discomfort as a catalyst for growth. His classes are never about finding the easiest answer. Rather, he presses students to uncover the deeper and often uncomfortable truths that drive real change. He has played an instrumental role in my mindset of always questioning assumptions, thinking beyond the surface, and considering multiple perspectives before arriving at a conclusion.”
Carolyn Taylor, University of Texas (McCombs)

“Unfortunately, my answer to this question can’t be every professor because I have truly enjoyed every lecture during my time here. But one professor stands out amongst the rest: Professor Omri Even-Tov. Intro to Accounting was not my prettiest academic endeavor, but Professor Even-Tov made it worth the pain and strife. Every class was a production: slides filled with memes referencing students’ professional backgrounds and personal hobbies; theatrics about financial statements; a full-blown musical featuring live music for the last lecture. The amount of prep Professor Even-Tov put into every class was immense. Even more impressive is his work outside of the classroom. In addition to running multiple sustainability-focused finance initiatives at Haas, Professor Even-Tov is well known for gathering his former students from all his classes for get-togethers, ranging from volunteer efforts to park picnics. Professor Even-Tov truly embodies the Haas culture, and I’m grateful to have been in his class.”
Julian Watson, UC Berkeley (Haas)

“David Wessels, my Foundations of Finance professor, completely changed how I see finance. Coming into Anderson, I never thought of it as a top-tier finance school, but his class proved that we have a very strong finance legacy. I had taken finance before in undergrad and hated it, but Professor Wessels made it fun, relatable, and easier to understand.

What really set him apart was how he made sure we understood the bigger picture. He didn’t just teach formulas and ratios, but he positioned finance into a broader strategic framework, which made it so much easier to grasp why these concepts actually mattered. He also challenged us to look at well-established financial metrics through a critical lens, questioning assumptions instead of blindly accepting them. That perspective shift made all the difference. His lessons were packed with great stories, and he had a way of making everything click. I only wish he taught more Full-Time MBA classes. (Hint to the Dean if you’re reading this!)”
Sebastian Esselens, UCLA (Anderson)

“My favorite MBA professor is Hovig Tchalian. I had the opportunity to take three classes with him: Founders Dilemmas, Tech Commercialization, and Tech Feasibility, and each one pushed me to think more deeply about innovation, leadership, and decision-making in uncertain environments. What stood out about Professor Tchalian was how he constantly challenged us to move beyond surface-level answers and consider the broader implications of our choices, especially in the context of new ventures and emerging technologies. His teaching encouraged us to think critically about not just how to build something, but why it matters and who it serves. His perspective on how market categories are shaped by social and strategic narratives made a lasting impression on how I approach business problems today. More than anything, he created space for reflection and honest debate, which made his classes some of the most thought-provoking and rewarding experiences I had at Marshall.”
Raghav Mahajan, USC (Marshall)

“Professor Josh White was my favorite MBA professor due to his unparalleled command of the research underpinning his courses and his engaging teaching style. He continually inspired students to approach complex financial concepts with critical thinking, encouraging robust debates and challenging questions. What truly set him apart, however, was his humility. Professor White would openly admit when he didn’t know an answer, turning these moments into opportunities for collaborative learning rather than limitations. This authenticity fostered a rich learning environment where intellectual curiosity thrived, making every class an engaging experience.”
Robert Rickard, Vanderbilt University (Owen)

“Darden has many outstanding professors, but if I had to choose one, it would be Elena Loutskina. Elena brought me out of my “few words in class” shell and kept pushing me — stretching me beyond what I thought was my capacity. That experience improved my confidence and made me a more decisive thinker and communicator. Plus, she always finds a way to banter with me whenever we pass each other in the hallways!”
Anuoluwapo Rogers, University of Virginia (Darden)

“My favorite MBA professor has been Michael Wall, professor of practice in marketing and entrepreneurship. He truly cared about the success and wellbeing of his students. His passion for and expertise in marketing were tangible, creating incredibly engaging lectures. When we would meet with him for our Marketing Metrics consulting project for Clementine’s Creamery, he constantly looks for ways to support our team, teaching valuable lessons on data-driven decision-making. When we were stumped on how to create accurate key target audience segments with limited data, he guided our team towards creative solutions, allowing our team to gain critical experience on problem-solving in a resource-scarce environment.

Furthermore, what set Professor Wall apart was his ability to connect theory to real-world applications. He frequently incorporated creative use cases from impactful companies like Rent the Runway, Spotify, 3M, and Liquid Death to showcase his lessons. He even went the extra mile to create tools that we could draw upon in our careers, taking the time and energy to ensure the future success of his students.”
Danielle Sarraf, Washington University (Olin)

“Gus Cooney. He taught one of my favorite first-year classes: Negotiations. He made negotiations feel tangible, human, and frankly, fun. He didn’t just teach us frameworks – he brought real-world experience into the classroom and gave us the freedom to engage with the material in our own way. To that end, the final project he assigns isn’t a standard paper or exam – it’s an open-ended challenge to demonstrate what you’ve learned in any format. Some students made paintings; others wrote songs. I created a children’s book. That kind of trust in his students, that willingness to let us bring creativity into business education, is what makes him such an exceptional professor.

Beyond the classroom, he has been incredibly generous in mentoring me as a founder. He entrusted me to carry his teachings forward by piloting his negotiations course at a state prison, and that experience changed my perspective on education, business, and giving back. He’s also always willing to spend time talking through ideas, pushing my thinking, and challenging me in ways that have made me a sharper entrepreneur. Having that kind of rapport with a professor – someone who truly cares about your growth inside and outside the classroom – has been one of the most meaningful parts of my Wharton experience.”
Simi Shah, Wharton School

“My favorite professor is Magnus Resch. He opened my eyes to the art industry—a field I initially struggled to comprehend and considered financially out of reach. Through his lectures, he highlighted both the challenges and opportunities for democratizing access to art, which aligned with my passion for empowerment. His class united students from diverse disciplines, fostering fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to recurring issues. I was also fortunate to collaborate with him to host Marc Glimcher, the CEO of Pace Gallery, on campus for the first time—a milestone we hope to build on in the future. His prominent guest lecturers also provided invaluable industry insights and thought leadership that enriched our discussions and deepened our understanding of the art world. Additionally, his course introduced me to talented art students who quickly became both friends and team members, joining me in creating opportunities to empower the art community on campus.”
Austin Cai, Yale School of Management

 

DON’T MISS:

THE 100 BEST & BRIGHTEST MBAS: CLASS OF 2025

MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2025

20 BIGGEST REGRETS OF MBA GRADUATES

THE MOST POPULAR MBA COURSES

THE BEST CITIES FOR MBAS

BEST BUSINESS MOVIES & TV SHOWS, ACCORDING TO TOP MBAS

BIGGEST MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE BUSINESS SCHOOLS

© Copyright 2025 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.