Project Description
CarterBaldwin Executive Search, together with Biola University, is proud to announce the appointment of former Amazon and General Motors executive, Dr. Michael Arena, as the next Dean of Biola University’s Crowell School of Business, beginning July 1, 2023.
“As Biola continues to strengthen our academic programs and student placement through our Crowell School of Business, I am pleased to welcome Dr. Michael Arena as our incoming dean,” said President Barry H. Corey. “His experience as a corporate executive, adjunct faculty member at University of Pennsylvania, author and innovator makes him an ideal leader at Biola University. Seasoned by a humble spirit and Christ-like disposition, Dr. Arena will lead the Crowell School of Business into a season of remarkable influence through our graduates.”
With more than 20 years of experience in Fortune 100 companies, Arena successfully managed the talent and development portfolio of Amazon Web Services to help grow the business from $26 billion to nearly $75 billion dollar run rate in revenue in three years. Additionally, he led business transformation at General Motors (GM) by introducing innovative initiatives resulting in growth for the company. His book, Adaptive Space: How GM and Other Companies are Positively Disrupting Themselves and Transforming into Agile Organizations, which is based on his work at GM, outlines a model to reinvent a company. He also served as Senior Vice President of Leadership Development at Bank of America where he co-designed and launched the Center for Future Banking.
In addition to his experience as an executive, Arena spent two years as a visiting scientist with MIT’s Media Lab studying network theory. He served as a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania and as a design thinking coach at Stanford University, in addition to serving as an adjunct professor at McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte and Pfeiffer University. He currently serves as a board member for the Association for Talent Development.
Arena received his PhD in organization development from the Union Institute and University, his MBA from Wheeling Jesuit University, and his BS from PennWest California University.
Click here for the complete announcement from Biola University.
About Biola University Crowell School of Business
Founded in 1993, Biola University’s Crowell School of Business is a leader among Christ-centered business schools, offering several programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). At Crowell, students of all levels and backgrounds are equipped to thrive personally and professionally — empowered with the integrity, skill and conviction to lead the modern marketplace. We welcome kingdom-minded professionals who are driven to make a difference in and through their work. Through innovative graduate and undergraduate programs, students are prepared to thrive in business while serving Christ.
