GMAC Welcomes New Board Members and School to Strengthen Global Talent Pipeline

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), a worldwide association representing leading graduate business schools, has made significant announcements regarding its governance and member composition. The council revealed the results of its recent board elections, where Catherine Duggan has been elected as the new chairperson. Duggan has served on the GMAC board since 2022 and is currently the dean of the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town.

Joining her on the board are David Bach from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland, Jake Cohen, the Senior Associate Dean at the Sloan School of Management at MIT, and Ian Fenwick, director of the Sasin School of Management at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. Ana María Zermeño Padilla, who is the director of academic experience and operations at the EGADE Business School in Mexico, has been re-elected to serve a full term, having been on the board since 2023.

The GMAC board’s new term commenced on July 1, 2025. In a significant move to broaden its community, GMAC welcomed the University of California, Riverside School of Business as the 228th member institution. This school is known for its newly inaugurated facility and extensive master's programs, which align with GMAC’s objective to provide high-quality graduate management education.

Joy Jones, the CEO of GMAC, expressed her enthusiasm for these new leaders as the organization navigates a rapidly changing landscape marked by shifts in talent mobility, technological advancements, and an increased focus on skill development within the global business education sector. As GMAC progresses, the organization strives for a vision where every talented individual can access top-tier business education.

Catherine Duggan emphasized the importance of connecting talents with management education, especially during uncertain times. She noted that the right programs equip students with necessary skills to become adept leaders capable of managing risks and leveraging opportunities in today’s dynamic environment. Her leadership aims to harness the diverse insights of the newly elected board members, who hail from some of the world's most vibrant markets.

In addition to the changes within the council, GMAC introduced an innovative AI-driven tool called Advancery earlier this year. This platform is designed to assist prospective students throughout their business education journey, offering personalized experiences that connect them with suitable programs and application strategies all in one place. By enhancing the national and global talent pipeline for business schools, GMAC aims to empower candidates in pursuing their career aspirations more effectively.

As the organization embraces its new leadership and member additions, GMAC also acknowledges and appreciates the outgoing contributions from its former board members. Among them is Themin Suwardy, the outgoing chair and an associate dean at Singapore Management University, who will continue as an ex officio member for an additional year. Other retiring members, Martin Boehm and Giuseppe Soda, have completed their terms with the council.

For more details on GMAC’s vision, board of directors, and member schools, visit GMAC.com. The council's ongoing mission centers on enhancing the connections between potential leaders and the essential education they need to thrive in a complex business environment. Upcoming GMAC events include an Asian conference in Hong Kong from October 29-31, 2025, a European conference in Madrid on November 19-21, 2025, and an annual conference in Philadelphia from June 10-12, 2026.

The GMAC fosters a strong community of business schools, providing them with crucial tools and resources to aid in the recruitment and development of future business leaders. With offices located in China, India, the UK, and the US, GMAC attracts more than 17 million visitors annually across its various platforms, which include gmac.com, mba.com, and BusinessBecause.