Senior Leadership

Our founder Joseph Wharton had a vision for a business school focusing on rigorous analysis, actionable knowledge, and responsible leadership. Our senior leadership continues that vision to advance Wharton as the foremost research-led business school in the world.

Wharton’s Dean

Erika H. James, 2020-Present

Erika H. James became the dean of the Wharton School on July 1, 2020. Trained as an organizational psychologist, Dean James is a leading expert on crisis leadership, workplace diversity, and management strategy.

Prior to her appointment at Wharton, Dean James was the John H. Harland Dean at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School from 2014 to 2020. An award-winning educator, accomplished consultant, and innovative researcher, she has paved the way for women in leadership both in education and corporate America. Dean James has been instrumental in developing groundbreaking executive education programs, including the Women’s Leadership program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School.

Read the Dean’s Bio

Executive Boards

Members of Wharton’s Executive Boards help define and implement the School’s strategic mission and goals.

Led by Chair of the Board of Advisors Marc Rowan, W’84, WG’85, Wharton’s executive boards form an interconnected network of deeply engaged international leaders. Through their service, counsel, generosity, and outreach, board members keep Wharton ahead of the curve in business education, innovation, and global reach. Eight distinct boards with particular areas of focus span the entirety of the Wharton experience and community – including various international regions; student and alumni constituencies; and the School’s undergraduate, graduate, and Executive Education programs.

The longstanding commitment and continued energy and efforts of board members is especially integral at this challenging and exciting time for Wharton. Through their collective support, they empower achieving ambitious fundraising and engagement goals and expanding Wharton’s scope and impact.

Marc Rowan
Chair, Wharton Board of Advisors

Board of Advisors

Alumni Executive Board

Executive Board for Asia

Executive Board for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa

Executive Board for Latin America

Executive Education Board

Graduate Executive Board

Undergraduate Executive Board