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DBA Chronicles

DBA Chronicles

Dr. Kelly Burich and Dr. Valrie Grant 60 episodes Latest Jun 4, 2026

DBA Chronicles is a podcast dedicated to the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) journey. Hosted by Dr. Kelly Burich and Dr. Valrie Grant, it offers insights into the challenges, rewards, and nuances of pursuing a DBA. The podcast covers topics from initial aspirations to graduation and beyond, serving as a comprehensive guide for graduates, current students, and those contemplating the academic path.

Episodes

Episode 059: Bridging Lean Thinking, Leadership, and the DBA with Stacy Falconer Jun 4, 2026 00:39:13 Most organizations don't suffer from a lack of smart people.They suffer from too many handoffs, too many silos, too much duplication, and too many processes that nobody has stopped to question.In this episode of DBA Chronicles, hosts Dr. Kelly Burich andDr. Valrie Grant sat down with DBA candidate Stacy Falconer, Vice President of Healthcare and Commercial Strategy at Premium Label and Packagi
Episode 058: Mental Health, Trust & Leadership: Moving Beyond Performative with Dr. Steve Winkle May 21, 2026 00:53:03 What does it really take to build a psychologically safe workplace; one where people feel supported, not judged?In this episode of DBA Chronicles, we welcome back Dr. Steve Winkle, HR executive, leadership strategist, and mental health advocate, for a timely conversation during Mental Health Awareness Month.Steve shares insights from his DBA research on mental health disclosure in the workplace an
Episode 057: The Pracademic Mindset with Dr. Larry Clay Jr. Apr 23, 2026 00:53:19 What if building better systems starts with becoming better humans?In this powerful episode of DBA Chronicles, we sit down with Dr. Larry Clay Jr.—a design scientist, professor, and thought leader working at the intersection of innovation ecosystems, sustainability, and quantum thinking.From a childhood moment of curiosity (and a literal electric shock ) to designing flourishing cities and organiz
Episode 056: Mental Health, Research, and the Courage to Be Seen at Work with Dr. Steve Winkel Apr 9, 2026 00:45:43 In this episode of DBA Chronicles, we welcome Dr. Steve Winkel, Vice President of Talent and Engagement at Constant Contact, seasoned HR executive, and mental health advocate.With nearly two decades of experience in talent strategy and organizational development, Steve brings a rare and powerful perspective - one that sits at the intersection of research,leadership, and lived experience. As both a
Episode 055: Global Doctoral Leadership: The GEM DBA, Multicultural Networks & The Practitioner-Scholar Journey Mar 26, 2026 00:39:47 What does it take to build a globally recognized DBA programthat stands the test of time?In this truly international episode of DBA Chronicles, we welcome the full leadership team from GEM Alpine Business School, one of Europe’s most established and globally respected DBA programs. With over 35 years of excellence and 700+ graduates worldwide, GEM’s DBA offers a compelling model of what it means t
Episode 054: From Practice to Scholarship: Doing Timely, High-Impact Research Through the DBA with Kimberly Bright Mar 12, 2026 00:39:34 Kimberly Bright is a Doctor of Business Administration candidate at the University of Rhode Island and a seasoned leader whose career spans public service, higher education leadership, strategic planning, and organizational change. Her work sits at the intersection of practice, policy, and scholarship, demonstrating the powerful role DBA research can play in addressing real-world challenges as the
Episode 053: Reinventing Purpose: Energy Transition, Academic Rigor & the Freedom to Learn with Dr. Helen Croskell Feb 19, 2026 00:45:09 Dr. Helen Croskell is a seasoned global energy executiveturned scholar-practitioner.  She is a 2024 graduate of the University of Rhode Island’s Doctor of BusinessAdministration program, recipient of the inaugural Dean’s Excellence Award. Her research bridges economics, policy, and sustainable development, focusing on innovative contract structures that support renewable energy in developingnation
Episode 052: Leadership with Heart: Insights from Disney with Dr. Katie Gottsch Feb 5, 2026 00:51:07 With over 15 years at Disney, Dr. Katie Gottsch shares howher practitioner background shaped her DBA journey at Rollins College and how she transformed real-world organizational challenges into meaningful research.Her dissertation explored how customer feedback influences employees’ ability to deliver on the brand promise, using social media data as a longitudinal research source long before it be
Episode 051: Launching a New DBA Program & Rethinking Innovation Education with Dr. Sebastian Fixson Jan 22, 2026 00:33:02 With decades of experience spanning engineering, innovation research, and academic leadership, Dr. Sebastian Fixson shares what inspired him to launch Babson College’s first-everDoctor of Business Administration (DBA) program and why the DBA is uniquely positioned to bridge the long-standing gap between academic rigor and real-world relevance.An internationally recognized scholar and founding Facu
Episode 050: Leading with Purpose: Transformative Partnerships and Veteran Reintegration through Entrepreneurship with Dr. Jason Phillips Jan 8, 2026 00:56:18 In this powerful episode of DBA Chronicles, we welcome Dr. Jason Phillips, retired U.S. Navy Commander, educator, and social innovator whose work bridges military service, scholarship, and community transformation.After a 22-year Navy career with deployments to Afghanistan, Jason witnessed firsthand the challenges veterans face after service, particularly the loss of mission, community, and purpos
Episode 049: Bridging Purpose and Practice: Marketing Career Readiness Through the DBA Lens with Abby Brannon Dec 10, 2025 00:30:08 In this uplifting episode of DBA Chronicles, we welcome AbbyBrannon, career coach, marketing educator, and rising scholar in the UNC Charlotte Doctor of Business Administration program.Abby may be early in her professional journey, but shebrings wisdom, intentionality, and heart far beyond her years. As a career coach in the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University, a marketing a
Episode 048: Bridging Worlds: From Business Leadership to Ethical AI in Academia Nov 19, 2025 00:48:54 Dr. Amber Yoo joins DBA Chronicles to move the AI conversation from policy warnings to pragmatic curriculum design. Amber explains how her clinical and entrepreneurial background shaped a practical approach to academicleadership and shares a clear curriculum blueprint: Intro → Ethics → Applied (domain-specific). She argues universities must empower non-technical students to critically evaluate AI

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