91ÊÓƵ

Faculty Spotlight: Professor Birgit Elchoueri, DPS

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We had the opportunity to speak with Professor Birgit Elchoueri, DPS, from the Management and Management Science department at 91ÊÓƵ’s Lubin School of Business about her career in both academia and the corporate world.

A 91ÊÓƵ alumna with three degrees from the university, she has been shaping the next generation of business leaders since 2019—first as an adjunct professor and now as a full-time clinical professor. With 25 years of experience as a Wall Street executive and a background in strategic leadership, business ethics, and disruptive technologies, she brings a wealth of real-world insight into her classroom.

Her teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking, teamwork, and practical application, preparing students to navigate today’s rapidly evolving business landscape with confidence.

Why Management Science?

Management science connects all business disciplines, offering leaders the tools they need to integrate and align these areas effectively. Teaching management is about preparing students to become effective leaders who can handle the complexities of today’s business world, which is constantly evolving. Management education fosters leadership skills, helping individuals lead teams, make strategic decisions, solve problems effectively, and create positive change.

Why Lubin/91ÊÓƵ?

91ÊÓƵ is my alma mater, and I earned three degrees at 91ÊÓƵ: BA in Language, Culture, and World Trade (Dyson), MBA in Finance and International Business (Lubin), and a DPS in Management (Lubin).

I received a rigorous and transformative education at 91ÊÓƵ, which not only shaped my professional journey but also instilled in me a strong sense of connection. This bond with 91ÊÓƵ inspired me to return as a professor, eager to contribute to the institution that played such a pivotal role in my professional growth.

What are your research interests/areas?

My research interests encompass innovation and disruptive technologies, the behavioral aspects of strategic decision-making—particularly understanding why managers and business leaders make certain choices—and the crucial role of business ethics in a rapidly evolving business landscape influenced by AI and other technological trends.

Why is it important to advance research in this area or these areas?

Disruptive technologies are transforming industries at an unprecedented speed. Business ethics research is especially critical in an era where technologies present boundless opportunities to propel business growth, yet simultaneously pose the risk of unintended consequences that can have far-reaching and profound effects on societal well-being.

Ethical considerations in business are more important than ever, as organizations face increasing pressure from their stakeholders—including consumers, employees, investors, and governments—to operate responsibly. Research into business ethics, particularly in the context of new technologies, helps create frameworks for sustainable, transparent, and socially responsible practices.

What do students learn in your classroom?

I strive to create a classroom atmosphere of intellectual stimulation, empathy, and trust, and I believe that learning is a joint effort between the educator and the student. My teaching method involves engaging students in active discussions that focus on analyzing strategic and ethical dilemmas that corporations face when responding to conflicting stakeholder needs and demands.

My goal as an educator is to teach my students how to become effective leaders and strategic problem solvers. I am a strong believer in the power of teamwork—both in the workplace and in the classroom. Team assignments and hands-on design thinking exercises focused on urgent real-world issues provide students with the opportunity to develop teamwork and leadership skills, as well as a sense of responsibility, as they practice different roles within their teams.

Discuss your professional path and its impact on how you teach and what you teach.

I began my corporate career as a business analyst at the New York branch of a major European bank, where I underwent rotational training in areas such as controlling, operations, corporate finance, and the trading floor. Later, I advanced to senior management positions, including director of the Global Markets division at several prominent Wall Street financial services firms, where I led quantitative teams and business analysts.

Over the past 15 years, I served as chief of staff to the CEO and as a member of the board of directors for the North American Corporate Insurance division of Allianz SE. In this capacity, I was entrusted with overseeing the CEO/board member office, spearheading the marketing and communications function, and managing the firm’s administration team. I ensured that critical path projects—including new product launches, portfolio run-offs, business process reengineering projects, organizational redesign initiatives, and cultural and technological transformations—were planned and executed effectively throughout the organization.

I connect my 25 years of professional experience as a manager and corporate executive on Wall Street with classroom teaching activities, and I encourage my students to learn with a growth mindset. When my students analyze real-world business challenges, they learn how to effectively deliver their ideas and innovative solutions and how to work collaboratively with other team members. In my teaching, I bridge management theory with real-world applications, drawing on my extensive corporate experience to bring practical examples into the classroom and make concepts more relatable and impactful for my students.

What are some challenges you had to overcome to get to where you are today?

The challenges I’ve navigated to reach where I am today have been both numerous and demanding. These included balancing family life with an intense work week of up to 80 hours, often accompanied by frequent business travel—all while executing strategic decisions, leading diverse teams, and pursuing advanced academic degrees.

Maintaining excellent grades to secure scholarships added another layer of pressure, yet these experiences not only tested my limits, but also sharpened my time management skills, resilience, and unwavering determination to excel in both my personal and professional life.

Which triumph are you most proud of?

In my role as an executive coach, I take great pride in mentoring employees I’ve hired at the early stages of their careers who go on to become successful executives. I’m also deeply fulfilled when C-suite executives I advise and coach achieve success through the strategies we’ve developed together.

What is the single most important lesson you’d like to impart to your students?

Embrace lifelong learning as your guiding principle. Approach knowledge with the curiosity of a sponge, absorbing insights from academic sources, internships, and real-world corporate experiences. Equally important is cultivating strong networks and relationships that support and enrich your journey.

What does #LubinLife mean to you?

#LubinLife strikes a perfect balance between academic excellence and practical implementation, nurturing an environment where critical thinking translates into tangible results in real-world settings.

Classes you have taught or are currently teaching:

BUS 101 (only in the past)

Currently MBA 618, MGT 490, MGT 150, DPS 805