Stanford Appoints Sarah Soule as First Female GSB Dean

STANFORD, Calif. — Sarah A. Soule, a distinguished scholar of organizational behavior and long-time Stanford faculty member, has been named the next dean of Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business (GSB), Provost Jenny Martinez announced Wednesday. Soule, who currently serves as the Sara Miller McCune Director of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, will assume her new role on June 16, 2025, becoming the first woman to lead the prestigious business school.

Soule has been a member of the GSB faculty since 2008 and previously served as senior associate dean for academic affairs from 2016 to 2023. She will succeed Jonathan Levin, who stepped down as dean in 2024 to become Stanford’s president. Peter DeMarzo, the John G. McDonald Professor of Finance, has been serving as interim dean.

“President Levin and I are thrilled that Sarah will be taking this role leading the GSB,” Martinez said. “She brings a deep understanding of organizations, a dynamic and people-centered approach to leadership, and an energetic commitment to advancing the mission of the school and of Stanford itself.”

The announcement comes as the GSB celebrates its 100th anniversary, marking a century of leadership in management education and research. Soule emphasized the school’s legacy of transforming students into principled leaders. “At the GSB, we have always been in the business of transformation,” she said. “It’s humbling to think about our graduates, their roles globally, and what they have been able to achieve for the world.”

Soule’s academic expertise spans organizational theory, social movements, and political sociology. Her research focuses on policy change and diffusion, as well as the impact of social movements on organizations. She has authored several influential publications, including the book *Contention and Corporate Social Responsibility* and co-authored *A Primer on Social Movements*.

In addition to her research, Soule has been a dedicated educator, teaching courses on strategy, organizational design, and design thinking. She also co-directs the Stanford LEAD Online Business Program with DeMarzo. “Sarah brings an authentic, principled, and personable style,” DeMarzo said. “She connects well with students, faculty, staff, alumni – pretty much everyone. The GSB is in excellent hands.”

Soule’s appointment reflects her deep ties to Stanford and her commitment to fostering innovation in management education. “I’m also excited to be part of the broader leadership community in the university,” she said. “Jon brought the GSB closer to Stanford, and I find that absolutely the right thing to do.”

As Soule prepares to transition into her new role, a search will be conducted for her successor as director of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences. Her leadership is expected to guide the GSB through a transformative era in business education, even as the field evolves with advancements in technology and artificial intelligence.