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GMAC Unveils a Revitalized Board and Welcomes New Member Institutions

On July 17, 2025, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), an influential global association for graduate business schools, made headlines by revealing its newly elected board members and the addition of a new member school. This strategic move aims to enhance GMAC’s commitment to fostering a robust talent pipeline amid the evolving landscape of business education.

Catherine Duggan has stepped into the role of board chair, having served on GMAC’s board since 2022. As the director and dean of the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, she brings valuable insights to the leadership position. Joining her on the board are notable figures such as David Bach, president of the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland; Jake Cohen, senior associate dean of the Sloan School of Management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); and Ian Fenwick, director of the Sasin School of Management at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. Furthermore, Ana María Zermeño Padilla from Tecnológico de Monterrey's EGADE Business School in Mexico has been re-elected to serve her first full term on the board. The new term officially began on July 1, 2025.

In an exciting development, the University of California, Riverside School of Business has joined GMAC as its 228th member institution. With a newly established facility, the university is poised to offer a diverse array of master’s programs, showcasing its commitment to delivering specialized management education. By aligning itself with GMAC, UC Riverside aims to leverage the extensive resources and global networks that GMAC provides, reinforcing its dedication to high academic standards and ethical business practices.

Joy Jones, CEO of GMAC, expressed her enthusiasm for welcoming these esteemed industry leaders and member institutions. In her statement, she underscored the importance of adapting to the dynamic changes shaping global business education, such as shifts in talent mobility, technological advancements, and an increasing focus on skill development. Jones stated, "This is one of the most dynamic and fast-changing times we've seen... I’m especially thrilled to welcome these industry leaders from across continents." Her vision centers on the belief that access to excellent business education should be universally available to all talented individuals.

The recent changes within GMAC come at a pivotal moment for graduate management education, as the organization continues to innovate and evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing landscape. Earlier in 2025, GMAC launched Advancery, an AI-powered tool designed to simplify the educational journey for prospective business students. This innovative tool offers a personalized experience for users by seamlessly linking skill recognition, program suggestions, and application strategies on a unified platform. The initiative is intended to streamline the exploration of business education pathways, empowering candidates to pursue their career aspirations while strengthening the talent pipeline for business schools.

The sentiment about the necessity of GMAC’s mission was echoed by Chair Catherine Duggan. She noted, "GMAC's mission to connect talent with business education is more important than ever… When matched with the right management program, students gain skills that help them develop as leaders while seeing opportunities and navigating risks in ways that others cannot." Duggan's vision for the board is to harness the knowledge and experience of its members, who have collectively worked across diverse and dynamic markets. This collaboration will infuse GMAC’s initiatives with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.

As GMAC turns the page to this new chapter in its leadership, it acknowledges the invaluable contributions of its outgoing members, including Themin Suwardy, who has served as the board chair and will continue to serve on the board in an ex officio capacity for one additional year. Additionally, GMAC thanked Martin Boehm and Giuseppe Soda, who completed their board terms. Their leadership has shaped GMAC into the dynamic organization it is today.

For those interested in learning more about GMAC's mission and community, information is available on their website at GMAC.com. As they forward their objectives, several significant upcoming events include the Asia Conference in Hong Kong (October 29-31, 2025), the Europe Conference in Madrid (November 19-21, 2025), and the Annual Conference in Philadelphia (June 10-12, 2026).

Overall, GMAC's efforts to enhance its board and community engagement signify a strong step towards nurturing future business leaders across the globe. The enhanced representation, combined with innovative tools and a focus on ethical practices, positions GMAC as a frontrunner in redefining graduate management education for the modern era.