»Faculty & Staff

MBA, Babson College 

Mario Leone is a former Fortune 200 global executive with more than 30 years of senior leadership experience across IT, manufacturing, business development, supply chain, and M&A. He is known for leading large-scale business transformations and currently teaches and mentors students while remaining active in private equity and board work. 

Expertise: Business Strategy; Information Technology; Information Systems; Business Process; Business Transformation; Executive Leadership 

MS, Korea University; Ph.D., Purdue University (Krannert School of Management) 

Dr. Shin is an Assistant Professor of Strategic Management at the Argyros School of Business and Economics. His research focuses on technology management and entrepreneurship, with emphasis on firms' innovation outcomes. 

Expertise: Technology Management; Entrepreneurship; Innovation; Venture Capital; Strategic Management 

MBA, New York Institute of Technology; Ph.D., New York University (Stern School of Business) 

Dr. Hurley-Hanson's principal areas of research are executive succession and the application of behavioral decision theory to strategic aspects of career mobility. She is also a leading researcher on autism in the workplace. 

Expertise: Extreme Leadership; Executive Succession; Image Norms; Autism in the Workplace; Strategic Crisis Preparation 

MBA, Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park 

Dr. Giannantonio is a Professor of Human Resource Management at the Argyros School of Business and Economics. Her principal areas of research include image norms, extreme leadership, and autism in the workplace. She formerly served as president of the faculty senate and was previously on the management faculty at the University of Notre Dame. 

Expertise: Extreme Leadership; Image Norms; Autism in the Workplace; Human Resource Management 

Ph.D., University of California, Irvine 

Dr. Turk is a Professor of Management who joined Chapman University in 1992. He previously served as Dean of the Argyros College of Business and Economics (2017-2022) and again as Interim Dean (2025-present). His research on corporate strategy, corporate governance, and executive compensation has appeared in leading journals including Academy of Management Journal and Strategic Management Review. 

Expertise: Corporate Strategy; Corporate Governance; Executive Compensation; Strategic Management; Strategic Alliances 

MBA, San Diego State University; Ph.D., University of California, Irvine 

Dr. Ybarra's research centers on strategic alliances, corporate structures, and evaluation criteria in organizations. Her research has appeared in leading academic journals, including the Strategic Management Journal and Organization Science. Prior to entering academia, she worked as a financial analyst and financial consultant in San Diego. 

Expertise: Strategic Management; Strategic Alliances; Trust; Resource-Based View of Firm 

J.D., Vanderbilt University 

Mr. Jaegers is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Chapman University with nearly 25 years of experience as an attorney. His practice has focused exclusively on business matters, including intellectual property, licensing, and entrepreneurship law. 

Expertise: Business Law; Entrepreneurship; Intellectual Property; Licensing 

MS, Missouri University of Science and Technology; Ph.D., University of Iowa 

Dr. Ataman received his doctorate from the Henry B. Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa. His areas of research include knowledge discovery in databases and machine learning via optimization-based algorithms, concentrating on ranking instances using margin-maximizing classifiers such as Support Vector Machines. 

Expertise: Machine Learning; Data Science; Management Science; Disruptive Innovation; Optimization Algorithms 

MA, Georgetown University; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara 

Dr. Bana is a Digital Fellow at the Stanford Digital Economy Lab. Her research focuses on the effect of technology on the labor market, combining novel text data sources such as job postings with natural language processing methods to develop innovative insights. Her dissertation received Honorable Mention for the Upjohn Institute's best Ph.D. dissertation on employment-related issues. 

Expertise: Labor Economics; Technology and Labor Markets; Natural Language Processing; Data Science; Social Insurance 

Ph.D., Boston University 

Dr. Benzell is a Digital Fellow at both the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy and the Stanford HAI Digital Economy Lab. His research focuses on the role of artificial intelligence and technology in society, with emphasis on macroeconomic and labor market impacts. He previously completed post-doctoral research at MIT. 

Expertise: Artificial Intelligence Economics; Technology and Society; Labor Market Impacts of AI; Platform Economics; Macroeconomics 

Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania 

Dr. Danaher's research centers on the application of data analytics to the entertainment industries and questions of copyright policy in the digital era. He regularly consults for firms in the entertainment industry, helping them apply new methods in data analytics to optimize their businesses. His clients have included Spotify, NBC Universal, and BBC Studios. 

Expertise: Industrial Organization; Data Analytics; Entertainment Analytics; Copyright Policy; Digital Strategies 

MS, University of Washington; MBA, Sharif University of Technology; Ph.D., University of Washington (Foster School of Business) 

Dr. Doosti's research interests lie at the intersection of information systems, marketing, and digital economics. His current work explores competition, demand, customer behavior, and platform design in domains such as e-commerce, digital products, crowdsourcing, social media, and mobile economy. 

Expertise: Information Systems; Digital Economics; E-Commerce; Platform Design; Marketing 

M.S., University of California, San Diego; Ph.D., Wichita State University 

Dr. Eimanzadeh is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Faculty in the Argyros School of Business and Economics. Her background is in management science and analytics, with research interests in stochastic modeling and optimization. 

Expertise: Management Science; Business Analytics; Data Science; Operations Research 

MS in Artificial Intelligence, University of Texas at Austin

Tim Frenzel has nearly 20 years of experience in finance, with a specialization in data science, AI, and quantitative modeling. His work focuses on AI-driven alpha generation, risk analytics, and predictive modeling, and he has managed $1.6 billion across multi-asset and hedge fund strategies. He also teaches machine learning and quantitative finance.

Expertise: Data Science; Real Estate Analytics; Artificial Intelligence; Quantitative Finance; Risk Management; Algorithmic Trading

MS, University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School); Ph.D., Boston University 

Dr. Hersh's research examines how artificial intelligence is transforming business, labor, and society, with a focus on workforce dynamics and managerial decision-making. He applies AI and machine learning to diverse data sources including text, images, satellite imagery, and economic records. Before Chapman, he was a lecturer at MIT and Wellesley College, and has consulted with the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and IMF. 

Expertise: Economics of Information Systems; Online Media Strategy and Online Piracy; Digital Platform Strategy; Development Economics; Machine Learning and Predictive Modeling; Applied Deep Learning 

Ph.D., Drexel University 

Dr. Kathuria holds the James and Lynne Doti Chair in Operations Management at the Argyros School. Before his academic career, he worked as a production engineer, industrial engineer, and operations consultant for over eight years. His current research interests include operations strategy, supply chain management, and global operations management. 

Expertise: Operations Management; Supply Chain Management; Operations Strategy; Global Operations; Entrepreneurship 

MBA, California State University, Long Beach

Prior experience as a systems consultant and project manager in the datacom space. Interests include blockchain technology leveraged in enterprise systems and end-user applications, CAD/CAM systems, and networked defense initiatives.

Expertise: Enterprise Systems; System-Level Design and Testing; Business Process Re-Engineering

M.Ed., University of California, Los Angeles; MBA, California State University, Long Beach; MS University of Southern California; Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles 

Dr. Shukla serves as the inaugural Shah Family Endowed Chair in Innovativeness. He teaches Creativity and Innovation and Corporate Entrepreneurship. From 2002 to 2010, he served as Director of the Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics. He was appointed Vice Chancellor for Entrepreneurship at Chapman University from 2009 to 2010. 

Expertise: Operations Management; Production Management; Supply Chain Management; Innovation; Corporate Entrepreneurship 

MS, Syracuse University; Ph.D., Stony Brook University 

Dr. Sinha has served in administrative roles at Chapman including as Director of Continuous Improvement and as Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs, overseeing approximately 1,800 Argyros School undergraduate students. Before academia, she worked for 10 years at AT&T as a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff. Her research interests include stochastic modeling and optimization of operations processes. 

Expertise: Business Analytics; Business Statistics; Operations Management; Stochastic Modeling; Optimization 

MBA, Harvard University

With an MBA from Harvard University, Marshall Toplansky teaches and researches analytics, AI, and machine learning, focusing on strategies that drive competitive advantage and economic growth. Previously, he co-founded two companies, led KPMG’s Lighthouse Center of Excellence in Data and Analytics, and was inducted into the Computer Industry Association's Technology Hall of Fame. Professor Toplansky is a Research Fellow of the Center for Demographics and Policy, with research focusing on the economic vitality and housing markets in California housing markets, economic vitality, public policy to promote innovation, and demographic and migration trends in the United States.

Expertise: Analytics; Artificial Intelligence; Housing Market Trends; Machine Learning; Business Strategy; Data-Driven Decision Making

Ph.D., Stony Brook University 

Dr. Walker's research focuses on computational social science, complex networks, social influence, and word of mouth. His work applies advanced statistical and machine learning methods to understand social media behavior and information diffusion. 

Expertise: Computational Social Science; Complex Networks; Social Networks; Social Influence; Information Systems 

MBA, Athabasca University

With over three decades of global corporate experience, Helene Blanchette directs the Schmid Center for International Business at Chapman University, where she also teaches International Marketing and Marketing. Previously, she held senior leadership roles at Xerox and Fuji Xerox Asia Pacific, founded the Xerox 1:1 Lab, and has spoken at the World Economic Forum, the Vatican's Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and the Forbes Power Women Summit. She serves on the Board of the Child Creativity Lab and advises International Sanctuary.

Expertise: International Business Strategy; Global Marketing; Digital Transformation; Entrepreneurship; Social Impact Leadership

MBA, University of Bridgeport; Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University 

Dr. Murray is a former Director of the Walter Schmid Center for International Business and Chapman's Prague MBA Program. His areas of expertise include international marketing, cross-cultural issues in marketing communications, and global advertising strategy. His research has been published in leading journals, including Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, Academy of Management Journal, and Journal of Advertising. 

Expertise: Consumer Culture Theory; Cross-Cultural Marketing; Global Advertising; International Marketing; Marketing Communications 

MBA, University of Cambridge 

Mr. Koepp serves as Director of the Asia-Pacific Geoeconomics and Business Initiative at the Argyros School. Before Chapman, he led the Corporate Network in Hong Kong for The Economist Group, serving as senior editor and chief economist, advising more than 200 Asia-based C-suite executives. He is fluent in English, Chinese (Mandarin), and Japanese. 

Expertise: Asia-Pacific Business Strategy; Geoeconomics; International Business; Digital Economics; China and Japan Business 

MA, Ph.D., State University of New York at Buffalo 

Dr. Kraft joined Chapman University as Dean of the Argyros School of Business and Economics in January 2006, serving through July 2012. He previously served as dean at Georgia Institute of Technology, Rutgers University, West Virginia University, and DePaul University. He has published in major journals including Journal of Finance and Review of Economics and Statistics. 

Expertise: Finance and Management; Quantitative Methods; International Business; Strategic Management; Economics 

M.Sc., Sharif University of Technology; Ph.D., The University of Texas at Dallas

Dr. Ameri's research focuses on quantitative marketing, with a particular interest in digital entertainment markets and social dynamics. Her work examines how friendship and community networks evolve alongside consumer behavior, and through what mechanisms these networks influence decision-making — for example, what people choose to watch and how social ties shape those choices. She is an ISMS Early Career Scholars Fellow and a recipient of the AMA-Sheth Doctoral Consortium fellowship.

Expertise: Quantitative Marketing; Digital Entertainment; Social Networks; Consumer Behavior; Empirical Modeling

MBA, Bilkent University; MS, Auburn University; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin–Madison

Dr. Coskuner-Balli's research centers on the cultural and ideological forces that shape consumer-market relationships. Her work examines emergent lifestyle segments in which new social roles, cultural identities, and brand relationships are forged through innovative interactions with the commercial marketplace, with a particular focus on how consumption legitimizes non-traditional social identities. Her work has been published in the Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Marketing, Journal of Advertising, and Marketing Theory, among others.

Expertise: Consumer Culture Theory; Cultural and Ideological Dynamics; Brand Strategy; Market Legitimacy; Social Identity and Consumption

MS, Linköping University; Ph.D., University of Virginia

Niklas Myhr, Ph.D., also known as The Social Media Professor, is an internationally recognized author, TEDx speaker, and keynote presenter who teaches social media, digital marketing, and global marketing at Chapman. He is currently Google's #1-ranked "Social Media Professor" and the author of the forthcoming book The Social Customer Journey. Dr. Myhr is an awardee of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, has served as executive director on the board of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., and is a professional member of the National Speakers Association.

Expertise: Marketing; Social Media; Digital Marketing; Personal Branding; Marketing Automation; Digital Entrepreneurship

MA, Bryn Mawr College; Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Dr. Nistor uses game theory models and empirical analysis to examine the impact industry features — such as relational contracts and certification experts — have on product quality. Her current research focuses on how firms develop and sustain strategic relationships within industries. She won the 2011 Clayton Dissertation Proposal Competition, awarded by the Marketing Science Institute for the year's best dissertation proposal. Her work has been published in Marketing Science, Management Science, Journal of Global Marketing, Strategic Management Journal, and Journal of Consumer Marketing, among others.

Expertise: Industrial Organization; Game Theory; Empirical Analysis; Marketing Strategy; Pricing; Relational Contracts

Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Dr. Nyer's research focuses on consumer satisfaction and a broad range of consumer behavior topics, including attitude change, public commitment, and cross-cultural differences. He is frequently quoted in local and national publications on consumer behavior, and his work has appeared in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, International Journal of Research in Marketing, Psychology & Marketing, and other leading outlets. His teaching interests include marketing management and advertising management, while his consulting work centers on measuring and managing customer satisfaction and customer lifetime value. Prior to academia, Dr. Nyer worked in product management in the consumer products and industrial electronics industries.

Expertise: Consumer Satisfaction; Consumer Behavior; Attitude Change; Public Commitment; Cross-Cultural Consumer Research; Advertising Management

MBA and Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Dr. Selove's research applies quantitative and game-theoretic methods to questions of product strategy, pricing, and competitive dynamics. His work has been published in leading journals including Marketing Science, Management Science, and Quantitative Marketing and Economics. Recent projects explore the economics of social media influencers, dynamic pricing, and the strategic implications of scale in marketing research. He also collaborates on models of knowledge spillover, competitive innovation, and supply relationship contracting.

Expertise: Product Strategy; Pricing; Game Theory; Dynamic Models; Competitive Strategy

Ph.D. Candidate, University of Southern California (Joining Fall 2026)

Tal Shoshani studies consumer behavior and market dynamics in physical space, combining large-scale mobile location data and transactional data with business and marketing information. His research examines how consumers make decisions in urban markets — including store choice, restaurant visits, and the spillover effects of platform regulations — and explores the tradeoff between the marketing value of consumer data and consumer privacy. His work has been published in the Journal of Interactive Marketing and is funded by the Marketing Science Institute and the USC Marshall Institute for Outlier Research.

Expertise: Consumer Mobility; Location-Based Marketing; Urban Markets; Consumer Privacy; Empirical Methods; Causal Inference

MBA, Sharif University of Technology; Ph.D., The University of Texas at Dallas

Dr. Zia's research brings together game theory, empirical modeling, and competitive strategy to study how firms and consumers interact in complex market environments. His work has been published in top marketing and management journals, including Marketing Science and Management Science, covering topics such as search advertising budget allocation, in-store advertising by competitors, customer loyalty with endogenous search costs, and knowledge spillover through competitive purchasing.

Expertise: Marketing; Game Theory; Empirical Modeling; Competitive Strategy; Quantitative Models; Search-Based Advertising