University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business graduates Walter Dods and Jay H. Shidler have been selected to the inaugural class of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International’s 100 Influential Leaders. AACSB International is the global accrediting body and membership association of business schools. The Influential Leaders Award commemorates the organization’s centennial anniversary by recognizing 100 notable alumni from AACSB-accredited schools who are making an impact in the world. The awardees will be honored on September 22 at the AACSB’s Annual Accreditation Conference in Chicago.
As graduates of the Shidler College of Business, Dods and Shidler were selected for their innovative mindset, entrepreneurial spirit and meaningful contributions to society.
Dods and Shidler join individuals such as the CEO of one of the world’s largest global relief services, a visionary behind the revolutionary global coffee phenomenon, as well as an enterprising president attributed with reviving an international toy industry favorite. More than 20 industry sectors, from consumer products to healthcare to nonprofits, across 20 countries, are present in this year’s group.
Walter Dods
Dods currently serves as chairman of the board for Matson Inc. He is acknowledged as one of the most influential people in Hawaiʻi business and has more than three decades of corporate experience at the highest levels of executive leadership. Although Dods continues to serve on the board of many of Hawaiʻi’s largest companies, he is most recognized for leading Hawaiʻi’s largest bank for three decades and growing it into one of the 25 largest banks in the nation.
“It is an honor for me to be recognized by AACSB,” says Walter Dods. “My leadership decisions throughout my career were guided by my commitment to my institution, our employees, our customers and the greater Hawaiʻi community. That’s what leadership means to me—working together for the benefit of all.”
Jay Shidler
Shidler is the founder and managing partner of The Shidler Group, a Honolulu-based investor focused on commercial real estate and credit-related investments. The Shidler Group has acquired and managed more than 2,000 properties in 40 states and Canada. Shidler founded and was the initial investor in more than 20 public and private companies, five of which have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In 2014, Shidler increased his initial gift to the Shidler College of Business from $25 million in 2006 to $100 million, making it the largest donation to the University of Hawaiʻi from a private donor.
- Related UH News video: “Historic $100 million gift presented to Shidler College of Business,” October 17, 2014
“I am truly honored to be selected by AACSB—an institution that promotes educational excellence in business schools,” said Shidler. “I made a long-term commitment to support the University of Hawaiʻi because I believe education can transform lives, drive positive change and improve our community.”
More about (AACSB) International’s 100 Influential Leaders
From April to June 2015, AACSB-accredited schools submitted notable alumni who have made (or are making) an impact in the world. From the nominations, a selection committee reviewed and selected a sampling of the positive impact that business school graduates have made on society.
“It is my honor to recognize Walter Dods and Jay H. Shidler for their contributions as Influential Leaders, and to thank the Shidler College of Business for its dedication to providing a business education environment based on engagement, innovation, and impact,” said Thomas R. Robinson, president and chief executive officer of AACSB International. “If told, the success stories of all business school graduates would fill immeasurable volumes. AACSB is honored to celebrate the collective 100 Influential Leaders as a representation of how business school alumni have positively influenced society, as well as the management education industry’s, past, present and promising future.”
For the full list of recipients, visit the AACSB International website.
—By Dolly Omiya
