Phil Dolan to lead the Institute for the Future of Business

The Institute for the Future of Business is ready to transform business education, research and industry engagement after the appointment of its first Executive Director.

Professor Phil Dolan has a PhD from Stanford University and more than thirty years of experience in academia as well as industry, holding a range of leadership positions in both sectors.

As an education leader, Professor Dolan has served as the Director of the Applied Finance Centre at Macquarie University, Dean of the University of Western Australia Business School and Pro Vice-Chancellor of La Trobe University.

In the corporate sector, he worked in a range of investment-related roles at Macquarie Bank over 13 years, managed his own investment company and is now a keen investor in a range of Australian start-ups.

Now, he will take up a new role as the inaugural Executive Director of the new Institute for the Future of Business, a joint partnership between Melbourne Business School, the University of Melbourne and founding corporate partner AIA Australia, designed to bridge the gap between industry and academia.

"This role will be exciting and challenging, but with the support and knowledge at the University, I am certain we can achieve our ambitious goals of transforming business education and improving career pathways," Professor Dolan said.

"I was drawn to this role by the Institute's aim of bridging the gap between academia and industry, and creating a collaborative environment where students, educators, and business professionals can address today's challenges while preparing for the future of work."

Professor Ian Harper, Dean of Melbourne Business School, said Professor Dolan was the perfect choice to lead the new Institute, as an established leader with experience working across industry as well as academia.

"The new Institute for the Future of Business is a novel initiative designed to bring business and academe together to co-design and co-deliver applied research and professional education," he said.

"Phil Dolan brings just the right blend of business and academic experience to get our Institute off to a flying start."

Professor Paul Kofman, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics, said Professor Dolan brought valuable knowledge and expertise to the new Institute.

"We were pleased Phil put his hand up to lead this new Institute through its establishment phase and beyond. With extensive leadership experience in the tertiary sector and knowledge of business and investments, he is the right person to shepherd and nurture existing and prospective partnerships as they unfold between academia and industry," he said.

The Institute for the Future of Business will focus on understanding corporate needs, matching them with suitable academic resources, and co-designing curriculum with industry input to transform graduate business education.

It will also facilitate applied research projects with real-world impact and provide access to student talent for internships, mentorships, and employment opportunities.

An official launch event for the Institute will be held at Melbourne Connect on Tuesday, 16 May.

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