Benjamin Ola. Akande
Dean
Webster University's School of Business

Benjamin Ola. Akande is the dean of Webster University’s School of Business and Technology, which recently received a gift of $10 million from former U.S. Ambassador George Walker III. As the chief academic officer of the 13,000-student business school, Dean Akande leads a faculty of 1500 spanning 106 campuses in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Since joining Webster as dean in 2000, Akande has provided leadership that has elevated the business school to new heights in curriculum innovation and dynamic partnerships with corporations.

Dean Akande holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Oklahoma and completed post-doctoral studies at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Dean Akande has been recognized as one of St. Louis’ Most Influential Leaders. His articles have been published in some of the nation’s mainstream newspapers and journals. He serves on the boards of the Newberry Group, Xiolink Corporation and the Private Bank of St. Louis and consults with some of the leading Fortune 500 companies in the areas of strategy, operations, ethics, corporate responsibility and market positioning. Dean Akande is a highly sought after speaker worldwide. He is a regular Economic commentator at the local St. Louis affiliates of Fox, NBC, CBS and CNN. He is an electrifying speaker who exudes passion and excitement in his delivery. He brings to every presentation and conversation a wealth of experience that spans more than two decades as a professor, leader and consultant. His understanding of the issues that define our time is thorough and insightful. Dr. Akande has a sense of constructive impatience and affirms that the future belongs to those who can see it.