Story Archives

From a young age, Lisa Dragoni has been fascinated by the life experiences of others. That interest led her down the path of examining how people learn and grow into organizational leaders.“I’ve always had that curiosity about humans—how we’re wired and the things that we learn and develop over time,” she recalls. “When I was…

Scott Shafer has several titles. He is professor of operations management and business analytics at Wake Forest University’s School of Business. He’s also senior associate dean for the School’s graduate programs and faculty director for the Master of Science in Business Analytics program.“But, fundamentally, I’m a modeler,” admits Shafer, describing his research interests. “I develop…

In broad strokes, Yeongin Kim strives to understand how digital technologies transform decision-making.“I aim to ensure they are used responsibly to create value for individuals, business and society,” explains Kim, assistant professor of analytics, who joined the faculty in 2024.Kim’s goal of understanding how information is exchanged and how technology shapes that process has led…

Jenelle Conaway likes structure in all aspects of her life, so it’s no surprise she found an affinity for accounting. “I like rules and order,” shares Conaway, assistant professor of accounting, who joined the faculty in 2024.But she also enjoys exploring an idea and seeing where it will lead. That drives her research into international…

As senior associate dean for faculty and research, Greg Stewart’s goals include “building a culture of excellence that allows people to be engaged and motivated in doing work that aligns with their values, taking away any barriers to doing that, and rewarding faculty for doing outstanding work.”The winner of numerous teaching awards, a sought-after consultant…

Devon P. Jefferson spent nearly 10 years in public accounting, first at KPMG in Washington, D.C., and then as an Audit Manager at a regional public accounting firm when her family moved to West Virginia. She enjoyed the work but also saw that the long hours and stress, especially during busy seasons, can diminish the…

When Bill Marcum came to Wake Forest more than three decades ago as a visiting professor, he thought he’d only stay for a short time.“I came here to try to figure out what I wanted to do,” he says. “And I really like Wake, so I guess technically I’ve been here 30 years trying to…

Though Ali Zeytoon-Nejad grew up with an economist father, initially he pursued a totally different field of study: mining engineering. The discipline, which taps into mathematics, physics, chemistry, and geology, allowed Zeytoon-Nejad to learn how to find the most technically viable options in mine extraction, assessing the overall feasibility of mining projects.As he explored the…

Stephen Smulowitz didn’t always intend to work in academia. After earning a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, he began his career as a lawyer clerking in the Delaware Court of Chancery before working with the firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) in…

As an undergrad at the University of West Florida, Michelle Steward studied cultural anthropology, a discipline that examines the connections and variations of human cultures. That background, she says, still informs her work in marketing today.“I was most interested in how the decisions people make are shaped by their values and beliefs across contexts,. And…

Thomas H. Davis Professor Pelin Pekgun has joined the inaugural Advisory Council of Second Harvest Food Bank, where she will contribute expertise to strengthen the organization’s strategy, outreach, and impact. Her appointment builds on a strong record of research in food bank operations, including published and forthcoming studies on workforce effectiveness, food waste reduction, and…

Two aspiring MSBA students — Isra Al Hashimi and Alberto Colon — worked with the City of Winston-Salem, using analytics to evaluate its permitting process for solar panels. The goal was to help ensure that solar energy solutions reach the communities that benefit from them most.

Wake Forest’s state-of-the-art facility, cutting edge technology and expert staff enable the team to perform a comprehensive evaluation and analysis of a pitcher’s mechanics and develop customized training programs aimed at reducing the risk of injury and enhancing performance.

After serving for nearly three decades in the United States Army, Sean Hannah knows exactly what makes an effective leader. During his years of active duty as an Army infantry officer, Colonel (Retired) Hannah served in four different combat and contingency deployments, as well as in strategic positions in the Pentagon, received 44 military decorations…

Philip Howard has always been fascinated by mathematics. As an undergraduate at UNC-Chapel Hill double-majoring in math and statistics, Howard thought he would pursue a career as an actuary upon graduation. But the more he learned, the more he wanted to learn, and Howard made the decision to earn a master’s in statistics with a…

One of the most unexpected lessons learned by many Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic was the importance and vulnerability of supply chains.  As factory shutdowns and material shortages had people scrambling for everything from toilet paper to disinfecting wipes, the complexity of supply chains they’d likely never thought about became top of mind for many.…

Sometimes one moment can change the course of a person’s career and life in unexpected ways. Wake Forest School of Business James Farr Faculty Fellow in Leadership and Organizational Development John Sumanth certainly knows that truism well.  After earning a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Miami (cum laude) and an MBA in…

Wake Forest University’s teacher-scholar model is ideal for Ya-wen Yang, who enjoys delving into a research question but also wants to share her findings with those who can benefit from the knowledge.  “I’m a naturally curious person and I like to learn new things,” says Yang, who is the Thomas C. Taylor Faculty Fellow and…

Broadly speaking, Ajay Patel’s research for the past three decades has focused on corporate decision-making. As he explains: “Why have people made certain decisions? What are the incentives behind those decisions? What was the information content of those decisions?”  But whether examining cross-border mergers and acquisitions, the impact of security offerings on valuations and firm…

Growing up in an entrepreneurial family with parents who owned several McDonald’s franchises, Mark Johnson received early exposure to the ins and outs of the business world. Along with owning a restaurant business, Johnson’s father also worked as a certified public accountant, and he always made sure to iterate the value of continuing education. “Business…