AACSB Announces 2025 Class of Influential Leaders
AACSB International (AACSB)—the world’s largest business education association—announces today its 2025 Class of Influential Leaders, a group of 24 outstanding entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs from AACSB-accredited business schools.
Now in its 10th year, AACSB’s Influential Leaders member spotlight program highlights the value that business schools bring to business and society. All honorees from this year’s class have a degree from one of AACSB’s more than 1,000 accredited business schools worldwide.
Leaders in the 2025 class have used their entrepreneurial skills to not only realize their business dreams but foster economic growth in their communities, generate new value for existing organizations, and leverage innovative thinking to solve societal challenges. Examples include the following:
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Kathleen BlueSky, CEO of Treaty One Development Corporation (MBA, University at Albany, State University of New York): After founding Seven feathers Consulting in 2008, BlueSky co-founded Wiiji’idiwag Ikwewag (Women Helping Each Other) in 2015 to encourage traditional Indigenous peoples’ childbirth and parenting teachings. She continues to shape the trajectory of Indigenous peoples’ economic development and prosperity as the CEO of Treaty One Development Corporation.
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Aaron Gagnon, Partner and Chief Audit Officer, McKinsey & Co. (BBA, Kennesaw State University): A certified public accountant and internal auditor, Gagnon has navigated major shifts in audit services resulting from financial crises in recent decades. His work with global organizations, including EY, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Apple, epitomizes his commitment to improving the world economy through thoughtful intrapreneurial leadership.
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Stéphanie Gateau, Founder and CEO of International Strategy and Handiroad (ISMA, Audencia Business School): Despite facing a rare neurodegenerative disease, Asperger’s syndrome, and personal hardships, Gateau founded International Strategy SC to help French businesses expand globally. She later created the Handiroad app to improve accessibility for people with reduced mobility and is now a prominent advocate for disability rights and ambassador for Impact France.
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Ricky Wong Wai-kay, Co-Founder and Vice Chairman, Hong Kong Technology Venture Company (BS, EMBA, The Chinese University of Hong Kong): Wong has revolutionized Hong Kong’s telecom and e-commerce industries with ventures like City Telecom, HKBN, and HKTVmall, the city’s largest 24/7 online mall. His innovative leadership continues to transform retail and e-shopping in Hong Kong.
“The 2025 honorees demonstrate how business schools can fuel solution-minded leaders to create new business ventures and solve complex challenges,” said Lily Bi, AACSB president and CEO. “Through entrepreneurial approaches and visionary thinking, this year’s Influential Leaders are creating meaningful change in the world.”
Each Influential Leader was nominated by their school, which shared inspiring stories of how the honoree leads in fostering innovation, adding value to organizations, and making an impact in businesses and communities. Support for the 2025 Influential Leaders initiative is provided by Risepoint.
Learn about the unique stories of each honoree at aacsb.edu/influential-leaders.