FACULTY
The faculty at the Foster School of Business are recognized as thought leaders in their respective fields contributing to the advancement of knowledge and practice in business. They are consistently praised for their research, teaching, and industry connections. Many of the faculty have practical experience in business, consulting, or other relevant professional roles providing in-depth, actionable instruction and
bring real-world insights to the classroom.
Professor Elizabeth Umphress
Professor of Management
Foster School of Business at the University of Washington
Dr. Umphress is the William D. Bradford Endowed Professor of Management at the Foster School of Business, University of Washington. She is the Faculty Director for the Ascend National Cohort and the Foster School’s Consulting and Business Development Center.
Dr. Umphress teaches executives and MBA students the Dynamics of Negotiations and Ethical Leadership. She has extensive consulting and executive education experience and has conducted programs for companies like Microsoft and ExxonMobil. Her expertise includes Strategic Communications, Negotiations, and Ethical Leadership, focusing on empowering employees and enhancing productivity. Dr. Umphress has consulted for organizations such as NASA, Citigroup, and Lockheed Martin. She holds a PhD in Organizational Behavior from Tulane University.
^ Scroll to topDr. Umphress teaches executives and MBA students the Dynamics of Negotiations and Ethical Leadership. She has extensive consulting and executive education experience and has conducted programs for companies like Microsoft and ExxonMobil. Her expertise includes Strategic Communications, Negotiations, and Ethical Leadership, focusing on empowering employees and enhancing productivity. Dr. Umphress has consulted for organizations such as NASA, Citigroup, and Lockheed Martin. She holds a PhD in Organizational Behavior from Tulane University.
Professor Crystal Farh
Associate Professor of Management & Organization
Foster School of Business at the University of Washington
Dr. Farh is a Professor of Management who teaches organizational behavior in MBA and executive MBA programs at the Foster School, focusing on evidence-based concepts for organizational success and meaningful work. Her courses cover motivation, decision-making, teams, and organizational culture.
Dr. Farh aims to enhance students' knowledge of organizational behavior, analytical skills, and ability to apply evidence-based strategies to management challenges while increasing their self-awareness as leaders. She employs diverse teaching methods, including readings, lectures, exercises, simulations, and discussions, to create an engaging environment for personalized learning and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. Dr. Farh holds a PhD from the University of Maryland and B.A. from Harvard University.
^ Scroll to topDr. Farh aims to enhance students' knowledge of organizational behavior, analytical skills, and ability to apply evidence-based strategies to management challenges while increasing their self-awareness as leaders. She employs diverse teaching methods, including readings, lectures, exercises, simulations, and discussions, to create an engaging environment for personalized learning and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. Dr. Farh holds a PhD from the University of Maryland and B.A. from Harvard University.
Professor Benjamin Hallen
Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship
Foster School of Business at the University of Washington
Dr. Hallen is a Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the Foster School of Business, University of Washington. His research addresses challenges business leaders face, including building effective teams and relationships, maximizing educational outcomes, and leveraging networks to enhance business performance. Drawing from rigorous academic study, his research focuses on how entrepreneurs can attract talent and venture capitalists to advance their projects. With a background in science and engineering, He holds a PhD in Strategy, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship from Stanford University.
^ Scroll to topProfessor Andrew Hafenbrack
Associate Professor of Management & Organization
Foster School of Business at the University of Washington
Dr. Hafenbrack is an Associate Professor of Management & Organization at the Foster School of Business, University of Washington. His research delves into mindfulness and cultural psychology, examining the benefits and drawbacks of workplace meditation and the impact of multicultural experiences.
Dr. Hafenbrack’s academic interests include creativity, innovation, decision-making, interventions, motivation, performance, and workplace civility. His research also explores stress responses to leadership behaviors, relational mobility, well-being, and overcoming cultural conditioning. Before joining the Foster School of Business, he was an Assistant Professor at Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics. He earned his PhD from INSEAD and his B.S. degree from Carnegie Mellon University.
^ Scroll to topDr. Hafenbrack’s academic interests include creativity, innovation, decision-making, interventions, motivation, performance, and workplace civility. His research also explores stress responses to leadership behaviors, relational mobility, well-being, and overcoming cultural conditioning. Before joining the Foster School of Business, he was an Assistant Professor at Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics. He earned his PhD from INSEAD and his B.S. degree from Carnegie Mellon University.
Professor Masha Shunko
Associate Professor of Operations Management
Foster School of Business at the University of Washington
Dr. Shunko is Associate Professor of Operations Management) at the University of Washington Foster School of Business and the recipient of the 2020 PACCAR Award for Excellence in Teaching. Her research spans global supply chain management, behavioral aspects of service systems, and operational excellence, with a significant focus on improving healthcare system efficiency.
Dr. Shunko’s work involves optimizing emergency department selection for ambulance diversions to ensure timely patient care. She earned her PhD from Carnegie Mellon University and her B.S. from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
^ Scroll to topDr. Shunko’s work involves optimizing emergency department selection for ambulance diversions to ensure timely patient care. She earned her PhD from Carnegie Mellon University and her B.S. from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
Professor Giselle Antoine
Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior
Olin School of Business at Washington University St. Louis
Dr. Antoine is an Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Olin School of Business at Washington University St. Louis. She has over 15 years of experience in higher education. Dr. Antoine spent a decade teaching in Saudi Arabia, where navigating Eastern and Western management philosophies inspired her research into cross-cultural management.
Dr. Antoine’s work explores how cultural beliefs shape ethical behavior, emotional responses to wrongdoing, and workplace dynamics. She is a passionate educator who teaches Leadership & Teams, Organizational Behavior, and global leadership. She earned a PhD from the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business and a B.S. from Columbia University.
^ Scroll to topDr. Antoine’s work explores how cultural beliefs shape ethical behavior, emotional responses to wrongdoing, and workplace dynamics. She is a passionate educator who teaches Leadership & Teams, Organizational Behavior, and global leadership. She earned a PhD from the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business and a B.S. from Columbia University.
Berkley Baker
Adjunct Professor
Morehouse College
Berkley Baker is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Georgia State University. He is also the CEO of CIMI Solutions, bringing over 20 years of expertise in sales, marketing, and leadership development. He has advised 100+ executive teams on integrating disruptive technologies and enhancing leadership capabilities. His experience includes serving as VP of Sales and Business Development for a healthcare technology firm, providing strategic consulting to medical device companies, and mentoring over 1,000 leaders across various industries. As a startup coach at Georgia Tech's Advanced Technology Development Center, he has guided 60-80 HealthTech startups globally. Dr. Baker has also advised over 50 hospital executive teams on robotic surgery programs and managed more than $50 million in equipment during his U.S. Army service. A professor at Georgia State University’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute and an adjunct professor at Morehouse College, he holds a doctorate, an MBA from Emory University, and a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Military Academy. Dr. Baker brings his teaching on VUCA to the Ascend National Cohort online sessions.
^ Scroll to topLaTanya White
Adjunct Professor
Morehouse College
LaTanya White is an adjunct professor at Morehouse College. She is a scholar-practitioner at the intersection of global competitiveness, equity, entrepreneurship education, and the racial wealth gap. An adjunct professor at Morehouse College, she has coached and consulted over 1,000 socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs. A two-time author, TEDx speaker, and founder of Concept Creative Group, LLC, Dr. White specializes in business development, capacity building, and the pioneering concept of Dynastic Wealth™. Her doctoral research at Antioch University on intergenerational wealth transfer in Black business families led to the development of an evidence-based entrepreneurship training model, which was recognized in the Congressional Record. Through Dynastic Wealth™, she promotes a comprehensive, equity-focused approach to entrepreneurship, advocating for curriculum redesign to support marginalized communities.
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