Modupe Akinola

Modupe Akinola serves as the Barbara and David Zalaznick Professor of Business at Columbia Business School where she also holds the position of Director at the Bernstein Center for Leadership and Ethics. She made history within the institution by becoming the first Black professor to earn tenure in 2018, an achievement that followed her receipt of the Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence in 2015. Her academic pursuits are concentrated on how stress can impact workplace performance as well as exploring the dynamics of discrimination that pose challenges for underrepresented groups in the corporate sector.

Akinola's research strategies employ a range of methods including the study of hormonal and cardiovascular physiological responses, behavioral observation, and reaction times in order to understand the effects of stress on cognitive functions. Not only does she delve into the causes and effects of workplace stress and discrimination, but she also seeks practical interventions to mitigate their negative impacts. This makes her an invaluable resource for managers, organizations, and policymakers seeking to create more inclusive and supportive work environments.

Her expertise and commitment to her field have gained widespread recognition and resulted in several accolades. She received awards like the Best Graduate Student Paper Award from the Society of Personality and Social Psychology in 2009, the Best Paper Award from the Academy of Management Journal in 2020, and was named a Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science in 2011. Beyond academia, Akinola's insights have found a wider audience through her co-authored op-ed "Professors are Prejudiced, Too" in "The New York Times" and coverage of her work in major media outlets such as "The Wall Street Journal", "National Public Radio", and "Forbes". Her inclusion in the Thinkers50 Radar List of 30 Thinkers to Watch in 2022 pays testament to her influence and relevance in today's evolving corporate landscape.