2026 How Business Schools Build Competitive Advantage in an AI-Shaped Market Agenda & Presenters

• Jeff Bieganek, Executive Director, Graduate Business Curriculum Roundtable
• Beth Hollenberg, CEO, Everspring

• Pietro Veronesi - Deputy Dean for Faculty, Chicago Booth

• Beth Hollenberg, CEO, Everspring

• Jim Mourey, Associate Dean & Director of the Full-Time MBA Program, Driehaus College of Business, DePaul University
• Starr Marcello, Deputy Dean for MBA and Masters Programs; Special Advisor to the Provost, Chicago Booth
• Erin Nelson, Associate Dean for Graduate Professional Programs, Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa

• Will Geoghegan - Associate Dean for Strategy and Clinical Professor, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University
• Kristen Collett-Schmitt - Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Specialized Master’s Programs and Teaching Professor of Economics, Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame
• Douglas Reiner - Chief Solutions Officer, Everspring
• Scott Jeffe  - VP, Market Research & New Markets, Everspring

•  James Moore - Associate Director, AI Institute and Director of Online Learning, Driehaus College of Business, DePaul University
• Andrea Gilbert - Executive Vice President Solutions Marketing at Everspring

• Beth Hollenberg - CEO, Everspring

• Jeff Bieganek, Executive Director, Graduate Business Curriculum Roundtable

• Session Description: Drawing on survey data from over 100+ faculty, this interactive session presents one business school's approach to building a faculty-driven AI programming, peer resource library, and support structure. Presenters will use the Chicago Center for Teaching and Learning’s (CCTL) generative AI integration framework, teaching with AI, without AI, and about AI, to present how faculty utilizing AI in their teaching. Participants will leave the session with concrete examples and working set of ideas from their peers to bring back to their institutions.
• Presenters:
  • Ilknur Gonul, Director of Instructional Design and Technology, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
  • Lisa Messaglia, Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Services, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
  • Amy Wright, Senior Director, Faculty and Academic Services, University of Chicago Booth School of Business

• Session Description:  Socrates’ daemon was the “voice” that made him pause and reflect, think critically, and seek knowledge he did not have but needed in a thoughtful, just-in-time manner.  Almachar will explore AI promise or potential as our new hypermodern daemon, that is, as a new mode for delivering real-time curriculum.  He will explore AI as a platform for real-time curriculum – that is, for continuous critical thinking and knowledge gain as part of the ever-emergent flow of real world, real-time, just-in-time decision making.  Almachar will provide a heuristic – a suggestive framework -- for understanding modes of learning from classic, to modern, the hypermodern to place the AI daemon within a broader context.  He will examine its promising potential as a method of living learning as well as its all-too-human challenges.  He will then discuss Kellogg’s work with Volute to pioneer a new AI-driven living learning platform and what it could mean for the future of business education.
• Presenter:
  • ​Elmer Almachar, Managing Director, Executive Programs, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

• ​Presenter:
  • Vishal Sachdev - Clinical Associate Professor of Business Administration and Academic Director of Business Analytics Degrees, Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

PRESENTERS BIOS

Elmer Almachar, Managing Director, Executive Programs, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
Elmer Almachar began his career by joining the world-renowned consulting firm of McKinsey & Company where he eventually led McKinsey’s U.S. Design Center team.  Academics has always been important to Almachar. He completed his bachelor’s degree with a focus on government and religion and then received his master’s degree in religious studies from the University of Chicago Divinity School. While at McKinsey, he returned to school again for his MBA from Kellogg.  The experience proved more than valuable: In 2011, he joined Kellogg School of Management as director of its Executive MBA Program and in 2016 expanded his role to lead strategy and innovation initiatives for working professionals. In 2022, he was promoted to be senior director for Strategy, Change, and Insights with organization-wide responsibilities for strategic planning and implementation, data analytics and insights, and change management.  The beginning of 2024 saw him return to Executive MBA Program as Managing Director.  As of 2026 he serves as the Managing Director of Executive Programs for Kellogg where he oversees strategy, innovation, and organizational change for both Executive MBA and Executive Education.  Almachar’s passion is connecting ideas and people to discover new ways of seeing and doing things, and in fostering the courage to act. This passion has enabled him to lead enterprise-wide innovation projections across multiple domains from industry associations to degree and non-degree programs.  He has provided a unique voice in enhancing EMBAC’s initiatives and received the 2020 EMBAC Bud Fackler Service Award for his contributions to EMBAC and the industry.  In 2026, he received Kellogg’s Advancing Community Leadership Award for his innovative approach to community-building and team leadership

Kristen Collett-Schmitt, Associate Dean & Teaching Professor, Finance, Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame
Kristen Collett-Schmitt is a leader and award-winning Teaching Professor at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. Holding a Ph.D. and Master's in Economics from North Carolina State University and a B.A. from Bellarmine University, she brings finance and economics to life for her undergraduate and graduate students. Her innovative teaching methods, which emphasize real-world application, active learning, and emerging curriculum trends, have earned her numerous teaching awards, including being named a Top 40 Undergraduate Business Professor by Poets & Quants. Her scholarly work explores economic and financial education, inclusive pedagogy, and financial literacy, all aimed at inspiring genuine student engagement.  Serving as Associate Dean since 2019, Dr. Collett-Schmitt translates college priorities into actionable strategy across Mendoza’s academic portfolio. She drives key initiatives in innovation and inclusion, leads seven specialized master's programs, and oversees Mendoza's top-10 Poets & Quants-ranked undergraduate business program. Prior to serving on the Dean's Cabinet, she was Director of Special Projects, where she managed college accreditation.

Andrea Gilbert, Executive Vice President, Partner Solutions, Everspring
Andrea is a seasoned higher education executive with over 25 years of experience guiding institutions through enrollment growth, strategic transformation, and market repositioning. At Everspring, she leads partner and solutions marketing, helping universities align their messaging, data, and cross-functional strategy to achieve their most critical goals, from graduate enrollment to fundraising. Andrea has advised hundreds of university leaders during inflection points: scaling programs, restructuring teams, launching initiatives, or navigating leadership transitions. Her work is grounded in a collaborative model that brings together internal and client teams to deliver tailored, data-informed solutions. She is especially skilled at turning institutional complexity into clear market positioning, stakeholder alignment, and measurable results. Widely respected for her consultative approach, Andrea is a trusted advisor to presidents, provosts, and deans across the country. She holds a master’s degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s from Lake Forest College, and she is a frequent presenter at national conferences and a mentor to emerging leaders in the field.

Ilknur Gonul, Director of Instructional Design and Technology, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Ilknur Gonul is Director of Instructional Design and Technology at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she leads a team providing high-touch, hands-on support for course design, instructional technology, and teaching consultations. She holds a PhD in Education from the Ohio State University, focusing on Teaching and Learning with Technology, and has spent more than two decades helping educators and institutions put learning technologies to meaningful, evidence-based use. Over her career, she has led work ranging from large-scale instructional technology rollouts to campus-wide faculty feedback programs, open classroom initiatives, and faculty development programs. At Booth, she is currently focused on helping faculty navigate generative AI thoughtfully, building resources and programs that support effective teaching in a fast-changing landscape.

Beth Hollenberg, Chief Executive Officer, Everspring
Beth has 20 years of experience in education, with more than ten years' experience running online, campus, and hybrid education programs. Most recently, Beth was President and COO of Kaplan Higher Education's Campus division. Prior to that role, she was the EVP and General Manager of SCORE! Educational Centers, a network of 170 technology-enabled tutoring centers nationwide. Beth started her career as a consultant to the Department of Health and Human Services, where she worked on effectively scaling federally funded programs for children and youth. She was an associate with the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) in Washington, D.C., where she focused on social services and education reform. Trained as an attorney, Beth holds a J.D. from Stanford Law School, an MA in Sociology, and BA in Psychology with distinction from Stanford University.


Scott Jeffe, Vice President, Market Research and New Markets
Scott leads Everspring’s market research services. He is a nationally recognized expert in the graduate, online, and adult education space. Prior to joining Everspring, Scott was Vice President of Graduate and Online Research at Ruffalo Noel Levitz, where he served as principle thought leadership and research lead for these markets. Over 20+ years, he has conducted market research consulting engagements for more than 400 institutions in 40+ states, helping institutions maximize enrollment and growth. Scott is known for customizing best practice methodologies to meet the unique needs of each client, with a focus on clear, insightful, easy to understand visualizations and action steps. He is the author of 20 national studies and more than 150 blogs and articles, and has presented at more than 200 conferences and seminars, all focused on providing institutions with useful and compelling data that can drive innovation and change.


Starr Marcello, Deputy Dean for MBA and Masters Programs, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
As the Deputy Dean for MBA and Masters Programs, Starr oversees the full-time, evening, weekend, and the Sokolov Executive MBA Program at Chicago Booth. In addition, she oversees Booth’s new specialized masters programs, the Master in Management and the Master in Finance. Starr also serves as a Special Advisor the Provost at the University of Chicago, leading the development and launch of new professional non-degree programs.  As Deputy Dean, she touches all aspects of the student experience, including managing the teams in Admissions, Student Life, Career Services, and Leadership Development, and supports two of Booth’s most student-focused centers, the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation.  Prior to her appointment to the Dean’s Office, Starr served as the Executive Director of the Polsky Center. In her 15 years with the Center, Starr invested in the successful significant expansion of the entrepreneurial ecosystem at the university. She extended the Center’s work to students throughout the University of Chicago campus, from philosophy majors to chemistry majors, as well as to those studying at the school’s global campuses in Hong Kong and London. Through her work, the Polsky Center has also become a lynchpin in the City of Chicago’s dynamic startup community.  Starr holds a BA from Wesleyan University and an MA and MBA with honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Lisa Messaglia, Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Services, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Lisa Messaglia is the Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Services at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.  In this role, Lisa oversees academic administration for the MBA, EMBA, Master in Management, Master in Finance, PhD and undergraduate academic programs and supports faculty research and teaching.  Lisa has also served as Executive Director of Faculty Services, as Senior Associate Director of Admissions and as Associate Director of Employer Relations for the Full-Time MBA program at Booth.  Before joining Booth, Lisa worked in the real estate industry.  Lisa has an MA in Education from Loyola University Chicago and a BS in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.



James Moore, Director of Online Learning at DePaul University Richard H. Driehaus College of Business
A technologist turned educator, James Moore is the director of online learning at DePaul University’s Driehaus College of Business, where he designs human-centered digital learning experiences that balance innovation with simplicity. With a background spanning instructional design, web development, and video production, James brings both technical fluency and storytelling finesse to his work. A longtime advocate for ethical AI, usability, and accessibility, he teaches internet marketing across online, blended, and HyFlex formats—helping faculty and students alike harness technology not for its flash, but for its power to clarify, connect, and inspire learning.

Jim Mourey, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs at DePaul University Richard H. Driehaus College of Business
A researcher, educator, and creative at heart, Jim Mourey is an associate professor of marketing, associate dean, and director of the full-time MBA program at DePaul University’s Driehaus College of Business. His work explores how consumers connect with brands, technology, and innovation—and how the rise of AI reshapes creativity, improvisation, and human connection. A published scholar in leading journals and award-winning teacher, Jim bridges academic rigor with real-world application, designing transformative learning experiences from his acclaimed undergraduate “Driehaus Cup” course to global study programs in Paris. A former marketing consultant for luxury brands and author of three books, he brings a storyteller’s instinct to the science of marketing—using curiosity, creativity, and empathy to help the next generation of business leaders thrive in a rapidly evolving world.


Erin Nelson, Associate Dean for Graduate and Professional Programs & Professor, Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa

Erin Nelson is Associate Dean for Graduate and Professional Programs and a Professor of Practice at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business. She leads a portfolio of MBA, specialty master’s, certificate, and executive education programs and teaches strategy execution and team effectiveness in the Iowa MBA.  Her work focuses on how business schools can prepare leaders for an AI-enabled workplace while strengthening the distinctly human capabilities essential to effective leadership. She is currently leading efforts at Tippie to evolve curriculum, assessment, and the learner experience in response to changing workforce needs.




Douglas Reiner, Chief Solutions Officer, Everspring
Douglas has 25 years of experience working in higher education; he has committed his life to helping other people achieve their aspirational goals. Most recently, Douglas served as the Executive Vice President for GG+A, the world’s premier philanthropic consulting company for colleges and universities in more than 50 countries. Prior to GG+A, Douglas served as the VP of Sales for Wiley Global Education, providing print and digital resources to faculty and students globally. Douglas started his career in higher education with McGraw-Hill, where during a 12-year period he transformed their business from print to digital solutions while increasing both top-line revenue and bottom-line performance. He was part of MHE’s global rotation, enabling him to work with colleges and universities in China, India, Australia, Southeast Asia, and all of the EU countries. Douglas holds a BA in History and International Relations from Tufts University, where he continues to serve as a leader in the alumni community.
 

Vishal Sachdev - Clinical Associate Professor of Business Administration and Academic Director of Business Analytics Degrees, Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Vishal Sachdev is a Clinical Associate Professor of Business Administration and Academic Director of Business Analytics Degrees at Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He led the design and launch of the fully online Master of Science in Business Analytics at Gies, a program built around an AI-native, human-centered analytics curriculum, and he teaches its data foundations course. He has directed the Illinois MakerLab since 2013 and runs AgentLab, a group that builds and studies AI agents for teaching, including Canvas MCP, an open-source tool that lets instructors manage courses through AI assistants. He writes The Hybrid Builder, a newsletter on working alongside AI.

Pietro Veronesi, Deputy Dean for Faculty, Sherman and Vivian Chao Distinguished Service Professor of Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Pietro Veronesi is the Sherman and Vivian Chao Distinguished Service Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. He is also a research associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research and a research fellow of the Center for Economic and Policy Research. Additionally, he is a former director of the American Finance Association and co-editor of the Review of Financial Studies.  Veronesi conducts research that focuses on asset pricing, stock and bond valuation under uncertainty, bubbles and crashes, return predictability and stochastic volatility. Most recently, he has been interested in studying, both theoretically and empirically, the interaction between government interventions and the behavior of asset prices. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including the Journal of Political Economy, American Economic Review, Quarterly Journal of Economics, Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, and Review of Financial Studies. He is the recipient of several awards, including the 2015 AQR Insight award, the 2012 and 2003 Smith Breeden prizes from the Journal of Finance; the 2008 WFA award; the 2006 Barclays Global Investors Prize from the EFA; the 2006 Fama/DFA prizes from the Journal of Financial Economics; and the 1999 Barclays Global Investors/Michael Brennan First Prize from the Review of Financial Studies.  Professor Veronesi teaches both masters- and PhD-level courses. He is the recipient of the 2009 McKinsey Award for Excellence in Teaching.  His undergraduate work was in economics at Bocconi University where he received a laurea magna cum laude with honor in 1992. He earned a master's degree with distinction in 1993 from the London School of Economics. He joined the Chicago Booth faculty upon obtaining his PhD in Economics from Harvard University in 1997.

Amy Wright has 30 years of experience in higher education, with over 25 at Chicago Booth. Her Booth experience spans academic advising and Registrar roles, and currently entails working with the deans and faculty to plan and schedule approximately 300 faculty into courses across programs: MBA, Executive MBA, Specialized Masters and Undergraduate. Within this role, she keeps abreast of industry and enrollment trends, and works with faculty as new courses are developed.