Idalene F. Kesner
Frank P. Popoff Chair of Strategic Management - 1995
Idalene (Idie) Kesner is the dean and Frank P. Popoff Professor of Strategic Management at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. Kesner earned an B.BA. from Southern Methodist University, M.B.A. and Ph.D. from Indiana University. Prior to joining the Kelley School faculty, Kesner taught in the business program at the University of North Carolina from 1983 to 1995. She has taught in more than 100 different executive education programs, and has served as a consultant for many different firms working on strategic and board related issues. Her research is in the areas of corporate board, executive succession, corporate governance, and mergers and acquisitions.
Kesner has published articles in numerous journals including Academy of Management Journal, Strategic Management Journal, Journal of Management, Organization Science, Academy of Management Executive, Business Horizons, and Harvard Business Review. She has received many teaching awards during her career including UNC's MBA teaching award (1989), 2 Executive Education teaching awards (1990, 1993), 13 teaching awards in the Kelley School MBA program, and 1 teaching award in executive education.
Kesner is the recipient of numerous service awards including one from the governor of North Carolina for the establishment of a program for high school students interested in studying business. Kesner has served in key executive positions for the Business Policy & Strategy Division of the Academy of Management including Program chair, division chair, and treasurer, and she is a member of the Strategic Management Society.
Kesner received the IU Bicentennial Medal in August 2019 in recognition of her distinguished service as Dean of the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and member of the president's executive cabinet.