South SFV Today

Sarah A. Soule has been appointed as the new dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Business, according to an announcement made by Stanford Provost Jenny Martinez. Soule, who has been a faculty member at the school since 2008, will assume her new role on June 16, 2025.

Soule is currently the Morgridge Professor of Organizational Behavior and has served in various leadership roles at Stanford. From 2016 to 2023, she was the senior associate dean for academic affairs at the business school. Since September 2023, she has held the position of Sara Miller McCune Director of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford.

Jonathan Levin, who was dean from 2016 until he became president of Stanford University in 2024, is succeeded by interim dean Peter DeMarzo. Martinez expressed confidence in Soule's capabilities: “President Levin and I are thrilled that Sarah will be taking this role leading the GSB,” she said.

The appointment coincides with the centennial celebration of the Graduate School of Business's founding in 1925. Soule commented on her new role: “At the GSB, we have always been in the business of transformation... I am deeply proud of that legacy and honored to be asked to help shepherd it.”

In addition to her responsibilities at Stanford, Soule maintains an active research program focused on organizational theory and social movements. She teaches courses on strategy and organizational design and serves as co-director of the Stanford LEAD Online Business Program.

DeMarzo praised Soule’s leadership qualities: “I’ve worked and collaborated closely with Sarah for many years... The GSB is in excellent hands.” Neil Malhotra also highlighted her abilities: “She has an exceptional ability to work with diverse groups of people.”

Soule will be replacing DeMarzo as interim dean while a search is conducted for her successor as director at CASBS. Her previous academic positions include professorships at Cornell University and University of Arizona.