A peer-to-peer conversation with the President and CEO of AACSB, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

🎙️For business school leaders, the AACSB is the north star for continuous improvement, innovation, impact and quality in business education. At the cusp of three years of leadership, Lily Bi is shepherding the organization into a monumental 110th year. 

In an exclusive interview on Episode 91 of Deans Counsel, she discusses this celebratory moment for the global accrediting body and international business education network and shares insights from the recent ICAM (International Conference and Meetings) 2026, which included 17 of its founding institutions and the introduction of an inaugural global summit.

Representing over 2000 of the best business education institutions in over 100 countries, the AACSB’s reputation supersedes it, but its origin story is surprisingly unexpected. Bi reveals how the accrediting body navigated the last century through “five key inflection points” across time and cultural shifts to where it is today, and what’s in the works for the future and impact of business education.  

“When we think about the impact, we [often] think about that after we finish the research, said Bi. That's not how business people think about risk. If you think about impact, you identify a relevant real-world problem. The intent to impact should [therefore] start at the very beginning of any research … not the end.”

Bi also discusses the rapidly shifting expectations of employers and learners, technological transformation of AI and other external forces impacting the current business education model. She encourages academic leaders to consider if their business schools are appropriately serving students in today’s shifting landscape.

“If you supply talent, if you supply any product, don't you think you should ask what the people who purchase your product, and the people who receive your product, what they need?”

Hosts Jim Ellis, Dave Ikenberry and Ken Kring lead an engaging exchange of ideas with Bi that give business school deans and leaders a 30,000-foot perspective on the major trends impacting business education, its lifecycle and applications today. 

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: 👉🏼 

Photos courtesy of AACSB

Learn more about Lily Bi here