Sarah A. Soule has been appointed as the new Dean of Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB), effective June 16, 2025. She takes over from Jonathan Levin, who became president of Stanford University in August 2024, and Peter DeMarzo, who served as interim dean for the past academic year.
Soule has been a part of the Stanford faculty since 2008 and was previously the senior associate dean for academic affairs from 2016 to 2023. Her research focuses on organizational theory, social movements, and political sociology. Since September 2023, she has also held the position of Sara Miller McCune Director at Stanford’s Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences.
Reflecting on her new role during GSB’s centennial year, Soule stated: “The GSB is in the business of transformation. We take good leaders and make them great by exposing them to rigorous, cutting-edge research.” She expressed excitement about continuing GSB’s legacy and highlighted its commitment to principled leadership.
Soule’s academic journey began with a BA in Sociology from the University of Vermont in 1989, followed by an MA and PhD in Sociology from Cornell University. Her passion for learning led her to pursue various disciplines before settling on sociology due to its alignment with her desire for positive social change.
In discussing her approach to leadership at GSB, Soule said: “To me, leadership is about motivating and inspiring a group of individuals to achieve a shared goal… The best leaders are not those who stand above others but those who stand with them.”
Her research examines how social movements impact organizations and applies organizational theories to understand movement dynamics. Soule noted that understanding stakeholder demands is crucial for businesses today.
As GSB marks its centennial year, Soule described it as a humbling opportunity: “It provides us with a space to reflect on excellence and community… I am honored to have been asked to lead this effort.”
