Barnali Gupta, Ph.D.
Edward Jones Dean, Professor of Economics
Barnali Gupta, Ph.D., is the Edward Jones Dean and professor of economics at Saint Louis University's nationally ranked Chaifetz School of Business. In her role, Dean Gupta provides strategic direction and leadership for the school’s faculty, staff and students in 24 academic programs and four centers of distinction.
Dean Gupta is a teacher-scholar with a distinctive record of service and a global and intercultural perspective. She is focused on inclusive leadership, continuous innovation and impactful actions that drive positive change. Under her leadership, the Chaifetz School is driven to be THE business school where “Mission Meets the Market”.
Prior to joining the Chaifetz School, Dean Gupta spent over 27 years at the Farmer School of Business at Miami University where she served as professor of economics, director of graduate studies and associate dean of curriculum. Dean Gupta’s areas of expertise include industrial organization and applied game theory.
Office of the Dean
Palash Bera, Ph.D.
Interim Associate Dean for Graduate Programs
Chair & Father Davis Professor, Operations & IT Management
Interim Associate Dean Bera oversees Chaifetz School graduate programs. In his role, he works collaboratively with the graduate business staff and program directors toward continuous innovation and impact for Chaifetz graduate students.
Email Interim Associate Dean Bera
Debbie Pike, MBA
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs
Faculty, Accounting
Associate Dean Pike manages undergraduate programs at the Chaifetz School of Business. She collaborates with stakeholders within the school and across the university to ensure support and academic services meet the needs of faculty and students. Professor Pike also oversees curricular and co-curricular development to ensure continual innovation and impact for Chaifetz School undergraduate students.
Alexis Krueger, MBA
Business Manager
Business Manager Alexis Krueger manages fiscal budgets, financial accounts, and operations. In the role, she also oversees human resource activities for the school.
Chalana Scales-Ferguson, J.D.
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Chalana Scales-Ferguson executes intentional and meaningful DEIB events and programming for internal and external stakeholders that focus on well-being, resiliency, professionalism and personal and social development. She also provides training and marshals resources to develop content within the Chaifetz School that creates a sense of belonging inside and outside of the classroom.
Katelyn McConnell, M.A.
Director of Graduate Business Programs
Director of Graduate Business Programs Katelyn McConnell oversees strategy, recruitment, admissions and student services for Chaifetz School graduate programs. She works collaboratively with faculty directors on curriculum development for the school's portfolio of graduate programs and certificates.
Rob Boyle, Ph.D.
Director of Communications and Technology
Associate Professor, Management
Director of Communications and Technology Rob Boyle oversees building operations and classroom technology. Dr. Boyle also acts as liaison to Facilities Services and Information Technology Services.
Ben Smyth, Ph.D.
Service Leadership Program Manager
Service Leadership Program Manager Ben Smyth, Ph.D. engages students in leadership formation through the conduits of service-learning, community engagement, and co-curricular experiences. Dr. Smyth advises the Dean’s Student Advisory Board, manages business student clubs involvement and oversees the Chaifetz School’s Service Leadership Program.
Christopher Polley, M.A.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager Christopher Polley directs all marketing and communications on behalf of the Office of the Edward Jones Dean and the school's divisions and units.