At 21 years old, earning my Ph.D. felt ambitious enough. I hadn’t imagined I’d go on to teach hundreds of students, represent and advocate for faculty as senior associate dean of faculty, serve in university-level leadership roles at Duke, or step in as Fuqua’s dean. I’ve experienced many iterations of what it means to be part of this amazing community, and I have learned many lessons in my combined 25 years here.

Understanding the Value of Belonging

First, as Fuqua students, we are encouraged to think deeply about our values and aspirations. When I began my Ph.D. in 1989, I was eager to learn about people, what drives their behaviors and how they make decisions. Grateful to work alongside my esteemed mentors, professors Jim Bettman and John Payne, this is a time when I established my belief that marketing is a powerful tool for improving consumer and societal welfare.

Little did I know then that I would end up working with a few of my Ph.D. peers, including Russ Morgan, senior associate dean for full-time programs, and Professor John Graham, by joining Fuqua’s faculty in 2004. Today, Russ and John are pillars of our community. I am so proud of what they and so many others have accomplished over the years at Fuqua — not for the institution’s glory, but because we have a collective responsibility to create meaningful academic insights and leverage them with our students.

By approaching Fuqua’s success as a team effort, we enjoy more achievements. At the same time, we are raising the stakes with a commitment to share losses as we would wins. Something I’ve learned at Fuqua and have carried with me through my career is that the highest-performing teams are built on a foundation of belonging. Establishing this sense of belonging requires intention and should be infused into every facet of our work.

Thinking and Acting Globally

As an alumna, I’ve experienced first-hand just how far the Team Fuqua network reaches. Fuqua’s alumni live and work in more than 100 different countries. They shape policy benefitting society, drive innovation at some of the world’s most influential companies, and so much more. Our alumni provide diverse perspectives that help us navigate unique challenges and equip our students to be influential leaders in their own right.

The importance of understanding global perspectives can’t be understated. My time at Duke Kunshan University taught me the intense determination it takes to bring together people whose experiences and ways of processing the world are vastly different. Seeing through our differences to identify what unites us sparks a connection — a starting point for productive collaboration to make the world a better place.

Unlocking Our Potential

This time of year brings a sense of hope and promise. (Yes, even faculty members get the first-day jitters!) As I step into my new role at Fuqua, I will be leaning on my experience as a Fuqua student, alumna, faculty member, and administrator. I strive to learn about, listen to, engage with, and ultimately, unite our community. Thankfully, I still know where the coffee is!

I will also be surrounded by plenty of new faces. It’s fitting that I spent one of my first days in my new role in the classroom, where my Fuqua journey began all that time ago, teaching marketing to our newest group of MQM students. Many people asked me about this commitment leading up to my first day as dean. I’ll reveal a little secret among faculty (though this may come as no surprise to my fellow alumni): it is our honor to teach the bright minds that enter our programs.

I am honored to be a part of an institution that allows me such a wide range of meaningful work. From teaching in our classrooms to strategic decision-making in the Dean’s Office, Fuqua provides limitless opportunities to help develop leaders who will better the world. The future of business education is bright, and I’m proud to be at the helm of this remarkable school as we shape that future together.