Where Imagination Builds Excellence
The global community for creative leadership in business education.
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Welcome to WIBE
THE FUTURE OF HIGHER ED LEADERSHIP IS GUTSY, STRATEGIC AND LITTLE LESS LONELY.
You don’t just want to lead. You want to lead differently.
You’re here to break old molds, rethink what’s possible, and create a leadership style that’s yours. That’s where we come in.
WIBE is the global community for creative leadership in business education.
We connect current and future leaders who are ready to exchange ideas, real strategies, and a network that actually shows up for you.
Make it your best academic year ever with unwavering support from our global community
Members
Countries
Global Convenings
Members Promoted to Dean
Fundraising Fun-Da-Palooza is here!
November 12-13, 2025
Join us for two days (and a bonus course on November 10) to learn how to bring the joy into your fundraising.
Why WIBE Exists
We are here to lead differently. Lead creatively. Never lead alone.
Established in 2020 we started as Women in Business Education, championing women’s leadership in higher ed.
Now, we’ve evolved into Where Imagination Builds Excellence – WIBE, a space open to all business school leaders who want to shape the future with creativity, courage, and connection.
Join a strong circle of people who get it.
Year-Round Networking that Works
The kind where someone remembers your name, introduces you to exactly who you need to meet, and becomes a trusted sounding board.
Professional Development You'll Actually Use
From budget negotiations to building a leadership team you love, get tools, templates, and strategies that you can implement the same week.
An Activated Community that Shows Up
We’re not here to gatekeep or protect the “old guard.” We’re here to lift each other up, share wins (and failures), and make leadership more affordable, fun and creative.
Unparalleled Networking & Professional Development
WE LEAD WITH IMAGINATION AND SOLVE WITH INNOVATION
WIBE is different. We make our community connections intentional, curated, and built for connection that sticks.
Peer Led Inner Circles
Ongoing groups where you actually get to know each other.
Year-Round Connection
We don’t just give you a directory; we connect you directly to the people you need to meet.
Collaboration Over Competition
Members swap ideas, share opportunities, and celebrate wins together.
” Without a doubt, WIBE stands as the most exceptional and specialized professional organization I have ever had the privilege to be a part of.”
“What I value the most about being a member in WIBE is the extraordinary networking opportunities, inspiring role models, and enriching learning programs that WIBE thoughtfully offers.”–Lan Ma Nygren, Associate Dean, Norm Brodsky College of Business, Rider University
Meet our Founder, Lisa Leander
I don’t wait for doors to open. I build new ones.-Lisa Leander, Founder & CEO
I’ve never been one to wait for an invitation. In fact, when I saw the leadership world in business education was too often exclusive, slow to change, and allergic to bold ideas… I built my own club, and invited the people who wanted to make a real difference.
For more than 20 years, I’ve worked with business school leaders across six continents. I’ve seen it all, the politics, the pivots, the power struggles, and I know exactly where the opportunities for creativity and connection live.
In 2020, I founded WIBE to do something radically simple. I brought together leaders who want to think bigger, lead differently, and have a whole lot more fun doing it.
What started as Women in Business Education has grown into a global hub for bold, creative leadership open to anyone ready to reimagine the future of higher ed.
My gift is building communities where people feel seen, supported, and ready to make big leaps.
If you’re reading this, consider it your personal invitation to join our community.
You’ll be welcomed exactly as you are, and I can’t wait to connect with you.
-Lisa Leander, Founder & CEO
Where Imagination Builds Excellence (WIBE)
“I’ve increased my professional network to include a group of individuals I can trust with confidential issues and receive great suggestions for potential solutions.
“Your WIBE contacts will be the contacts that you seek guideance from the most. Even more, the programs provided will support your professional development. It is well worth the investment of time and money.”–Leslie Wilson, Dean, University of Northern Iowa