Meet the Dean

Dean Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou
Richard P. Simmons Professor of Finance

Dr. Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou is the Richard P. Simmons Professor of Finance and the 10th dean of the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University, a top ranked business school. Committed to interdisciplinary education and collaborative research, Bajeux-Besnainou has expanded the school’s specialized master’s programs, developed a Center for Intelligent Business, and increased funding for students and faculty.

Bajeux-Besnainou seeks to broaden the impact of research through thought leadership, and spearheaded the Tepper School of Business’ Strategic Plan, “Building the Intelligent Future 2024-2030," which aims to elevate the school to new heights of excellence and innovation in business research and education. This plan outlines a vision for the next six years, focusing on the school’s core values and commitments to inclusive excellence, collaboration, and a data-informed, human-driven approach to business and learning. This strategic plan will be implemented through signature initiatives related to three key themes: AI for business, economic prosperity, and entrepreneurial pursuit.

Under her leadership, the school has achieved notable rankings, including No. 3 for Best Online MBA and No. 6 for Undergraduate Business from U.S. News & World Report, and No. 9 Best Business School from Bloomberg Businessweek.

An alumna of the École Normale Supérieure in Mathematics with a doctorate in Mathematics Applied to Finance from Université Paris-Dauphine, Bajeux-Besnainou’s areas of expertise include asset pricing, portfolio management, and credit risk.

Bajeux-Besnainou's prior leadership roles include Dean and Professor of Finance at McGill University's Desautels Faculty of Management, and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Professor of Finance at the George Washington University School of Business.

She currently serves on international advisory and governing boards, including the Zhejiang University School of Management International Advisory Board, the EGADE Business School’s Global Academic Council, and the ESSEC Business School International Advisory Board. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), and sits on the AACSB Innovation Committee.

Read the 2024-25 Tepper School Dean's Report

The Tepper School of Business Dean’s Report showcases the milestones, impact, and vision that shaped our community over the past year. Inside, you’ll find highlights on academic innovation, leadership in AI and business education, global collaborations, and the achievements of our students, faculty, and alumni.

You can explore the interactive version of the report below, or download the PDF for a fully accessible version.