Chaifetz School of Business Leadership

Jackson Nickerson, Ph.D.

Edward Jones Dean

Jackson Nickerson, Ph.D., is the Edward Jones Dean of Saint Louis University's nationally ranked Chaifetz School of Business. In his role, Dean Nickerson provides strategic direction and leadership for the school’s faculty, staff and students in 24 academic programs and four centers of distinction.

Dean Nickerson is a distinguished and internationally recognized teacher, scholar and consulting organizational strategist. He is focused on inclusive leadership, continuous innovation and impactful actions that drive positive change. Under his leadership, the Chaifetz School is driven to be the business school where “Mission Meets the Market.”

Before joining the Chaifetz School, Dean Nickerson was the emeritus Frahm Family Professor of Organization and Strategy at the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis, where he spent more than 25 years as a member of the faculty and administration. His research spans leadership, organization and strategy, with an emphasis on innovation. He has published six books, more than 85 journal articles and case studies, and numerous popular press articles and book chapters.

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Office of the Dean

Mamoun Benmamoun, Ph.D.

Director for accreditation
Associate professor, international business

Director Mamoun Benmamoun oversees the accreditation of the Chaifetz School of Business. In his role, he works collaboratively with Chaifetz School faculty and staff to ensure that AACSB accreditation standards are maintained across programs. Benmamoun also serves as the director of the Ph.D. in international business and marketing program.

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Brett Boyle, Ph.D.

Assistant dean for marketing and communications
Associate professor, marketing

Assistant Dean Brett Boyle oversees all marketing, communications and public relations for the Chaifetz School on behalf of the Office of the Edward Jones Dean and the school's divisions and units. This includes advertising, publications, website/social media content, branding and visual identity standards and media relations.

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Bidisha Chakrabarty, Ph.D.

Associate dean for research and faculty affairs
Edward Jones Professor of Finance

Associate Dean Bidisha Chakrabarty oversees research and faculty affairs at the Chaifetz School. In her role, she works closely with stakeholders within the Chaifetz School to support growth in the school's national profile and implementation of the school's strategic plan.

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Debbie Pike, MBA

Associate dean for undergraduate education
Faculty, accounting

Associate Dean Debbie Pike manages undergraduate programs at the Chaifetz School of Business. She collaborates with stakeholders within and across the university to ensure support and academic services meet the needs of faculty and students. Pike also oversees curricular and co-curricular development to ensure continual innovation and impact for Chaifetz School undergraduate students.

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Ben Smyth, Ph.D.

Director of co-curricular and service-learning programs

Director Ben Smyth engages students in leadership formation through the conduits of service-learning, community engagement, and co-curricular experiences. He advises the Dean’s Student Advisory Board, manages business student clubs' involvement and oversees the Chaifetz School’s Service Leadership Program.

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Chris Thomas, Ph.D.

Associate dean for graduate education
Associate professor, management

Associate Dean Thomas 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.

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