Olin Business School

Papa John’s should consider whether it needs a facelift and a new identity after its highly recognizable founder resigned amid continuing controversy. That’s the perspective of a public-relations expert, longtime practicing professional and leader in business communications at Washington University in St. Louis’ Olin Business School.

As a student, Kurt Summers, BSBA ’00, was interested in business and public service. Throughout his career he has married those two interests. He did so most recently in 2014, when he became the treasurer for the City of Chicago.

Experts across campus offer advice about how to build your professional network and connect better with colleagues

Already in the No. 2 spot in the insurance broker company AON-COFCO, Qing “Clare” Wu had achieved what most people dream of. Still, she didn’t want to miss an opportunity to improve her business skills, so she enrolled in Washington University and Fudan University’s joint executive MBA program. While there, she inspired her classmates to take up running, and after graduation gained the top spot at AON.

After earning her degree in Washington University and Fudan University’s joint Executive MBA program, Jo Feng EMBA ’11, began taking on new challenges, such as working in the United States and racing across the Gobi Desert. Unlocking her potential led her to become general manager of the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca China.

For the third time in four years, a Washington University in St. Louis faculty member has received the highest award that the People’s Republic of China bestows on an individual in higher education. Fuqiang Zhang,of Olin Business School, has been selected to receive the Yangtze River Scholar Award.

Three researchers, including Tarek Ghani, assistant professor of strategy at Olin Business School at Washington University St. Louis, designed a mobile money-based savings wallet that could “nudge” people into saving.

North America, even in the face of controversial policies regarding immigration under President Trump’s administration, had more to offer soccer’s international governing body, says Patrick Rishe, a sports business expert from Washington University in St. Louis. As a result, the “United Bid” of the United States, Canada and Mexico was awarded the 2026 World Cup on the eve of this year’s competition in Russia.

The central finding of an Olin Business School study published May 15 in the Journal of Consumer Research was that people faced with scheduled appointments in an upcoming hour or more: (a) perceive they have less time than in reality; (b) perform fewer tasks as a result; and (c) are less likely to attempt extended-time tasks that can be feasibly accomplished or more lucrative.

Starbucks’ leadership’s response to date demonstrates a broader consideration of the full range of management functions and stakeholders critical to the company’s success, according to Catherine Dunkin, lecturer in management at Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis.