Leading Citizen Well-Being Through Business Research: Launching the Initiative for Global Business Impact
Thanks to an anonymous gift, Leeds is investing $3.85 million to launch the Initiative for Global Business Impact this fall,accelerating the school’s world-class research infrastructure and academic reputation.
The new Initiative for Global Business Impact will take Leeds to the world and bring the world to Leeds. Human welfare is strongly affected by sustainability of practices by businesses and individual citizens, and by the quality of consumers’ financial decisions. But the solutions offered by businesses and governments differ dramatically across geographies, as do the apparent effectiveness of those solutions. The world needs next-generation leaders who can learn from those differences and act on rigorous evidence about what works.
Employers are seeking business professionals who can not only drive operational excellence, but who can also champion purpose-driven organizations that prioritize societal impact alongside profitability. With a focus on citizen well-being, the initiative's initial phase will prioritize consumer financial decision-making and sustainability.
“This generous gift provides Leeds with theopportunity to both broaden and deepen our inquiriesby fostering connections with global communities, creating a meaningful impact on citizen well-being, businesses and society,” said Vijay Khatri, Tandean Rustandy Endowed Dean of the Leeds School of Business.
Leading the way
Khatri has appointed Distinguished Professor John G. Lynch Jr. as the inaugural director of the Initiative for Global Business Impact. Lynch was named the 2025 ,the highest honor in the field of academic marketing, recognizing "creative accomplishments, public service, research, teaching and service contributions."
Lynch was the founding director of the Center for Research on Consumer Financial Decision Making and served assenior associate dean for faculty and research at Leeds.His scholarship, extensive teaching experience, awards, mentorship and reputation in the world of consumer financial decision-making and marketing uniquely qualify him to advance Leeds’ position and academic reputation through this new initiative.
Solidifying Leeds’ research infrastructure
Leeds faculty are already addressing global societal issues through exemplary interdisciplinary research. To take Leeds global, the school will expand its research efforts through global partnerships with scholars worldwide, enhancing its impact and solidifying its position as a global leader.
To bring the world to Leeds, Leeds faculty will have an opportunity to broaden their research scope to address critical global challenges. This will involve engaging esteemed Global Faculty-in-Residence and Global Postdoctoral Fellows whose expertise will drive intellectual growth and innovation, enabling us to tackle complex problems that address citizen well-being and produce meaningful research.
These efforts will also support the development of global academic programs in collaboration with international business schools, preparing our students for leadership roles in a globalized economy.
Addressing global challenges through business innovation
Today’s rapidly evolving business environment is increasingly shaped by factors like climate change, poverty, population growth and geopolitical conflict, noted Khatri. In response, Leeds is closely following key trends in digital transformation, sustainability, economic shifts and the future of work to address the dynamic needs of business leaders.
“Since founding the Center for Financial Decision Making in 2009, Leeds has established itself as a leader in consumer financial decision-making and household finance. That experience has demonstrated how externally focused research centers can create an infrastructure for impactful work. With this new initiative, we will collaborate with leading global partners and scholars to build trusted business research that addresses large-scale societal challenges with solutions that really work,” saidLynch.
"With this new initiative, we will collaborate with leading global partners and scholars to build trusted business research that addresses large-scale societal challenges."
John G. Lynch Jr., Distinguished Professor
The Initiative for Global Business Impact, focused on accelerating momentum in citizen well-being through business research, strengthens Leeds' ongoing efforts and aligns with the2035 Leeds Strategic Plan, shaping the future of business over the next decade.