WHM Spotlight: Diya Das

To continue our celebration of Women’s History Month and the remarkable women who help shape the Roger Williams University community, we’re introducing you to Diya Das, Dean of the Mario J. Gabelli School of Business (GSB).

Since joining RWU in 2023, Das has led GSB through a period of growth and innovation. Under her leadership, the school has expanded the Bachelor’s Plus MBA pathways, launched a new MBA 3+1 program, and begun developing new academic programs – including an undergraduate major in entrepreneurship grounded in experiential learning.

That momentum has also been reflected in national recognition. In 2025, GSB was ranked No. 59 in Career Outcomes and No. 78 overall among undergraduate business schools by Poets&Quants, highlighting a 100% placement rate in careers or graduate school within six months of graduation and the school’s commitment to ensuring every student gains real-world internship experience.

“This national ranking recognizes the excellence and career-focused curriculum of a GSB education. Our students are taught by world-class faculty and gain real-world practice through internships, consulting experiences with actual clients, and student-managed investment funds, ensuring they graduate ready to succeed in a competitive global marketplace.”

Das brings extensive experience in higher education leadership and business education. Prior to joining RWU, she served as Associate Dean of Bryant University’s College of Business, where she helped launch new graduate and undergraduate programs, supported the advancement of the university’s MBA program, and played a key role in institutional strategic planning and accreditation efforts.

An accomplished scholar, Das’s research explores complex identity negotiations in the workplace under conditions of globalization. Her work has been published in leading journals including Human Relations, the Journal of Organizational Behavior, and the International Journal of Human Resource Management. In recognition of her scholarship, she received the Carolyn Dexter Best International Paper Award from the Academy of Management.

Her academic career has also included international teaching and collaboration. Das served as a visiting faculty member in the International Business program at Aalto University in Finland and currently serves on the steering committee of Women Advancing Management Education, an affinity group within AACSB, the global accrediting body for business schools. She previously served on the City of Providence Equal Pay Task Force, reflecting her commitment to advancing equity in the workplace.

Das holds a Ph.D. in Management from Syracuse University, a master’s degree in Human Resource and Organizational Development from the Delhi School of Economics, and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Presidency College at the University of Calcutta.

Fun Facts About Diya

• Throughout her career, she has led the development of programs in areas like business analytics, data science, and entrepreneurship.
• As a professor, she was known for discussion-driven classes that emphasize real-world application and active participation over passive learning.
• Her academic and professional journey spans India, the United States, Finland, and beyond, shaping her global perspective on leadership and business.

In Her Own Words

Tell us about your role at RWU and what leadership looks like in your work.

As Dean of the Gabelli School of Business at Roger Williams University, I oversee the strategic direction and daily operations of the school, always with a central focus on student learning, opportunity, and career success.

For me, leadership begins with creating a culture of trust and collaboration. I strive to be transparent and accessible – my door is always open to faculty, staff, and students. Some of my favorite moments are informal conversations where we exchange ideas, brainstorm possibilities, or simply learn more about what motivates one another. Those conversations often spark the most meaningful progress.

The Gabelli School of Business is on a strong and exciting trajectory, and that momentum comes from a community that believes in working together toward shared goals.

What does it mean to you to be a woman leader at RWU?

RWU is a wonderful place for a leader who identifies as a woman. We have many strong examples of women’s leadership across the President’s Cabinet and the Provost’s Office.

Serving as a woman dean of a business school also carries special significance. Business and business education are still fields where men often predominate. Symbolically, I hope my presence signals to students that women’s leadership is continuing to grow – not only in business education, but across society more broadly.

What does “Give to Gain” mean to you, and what do you give that helps others gain opportunity?

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with organizations dedicated to advancing women’s leadership. I have served on the Equal Pay Commission for the City of Providence, been a board member of the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, and currently serve on the Steering Committee of Women Advancing Management Education within AACSB.

In each of these roles, the goal has been to better understand the structural barriers that women face in leadership and to help create pathways to overcome them. Sometimes that work takes the form of informing policy or legislation; other times it means organizing conferences, workshops, or mentorship opportunities that equip women with the tools and networks they need to lead.

To me, “Give to Gain” means investing time, knowledge, and advocacy so that others have greater opportunities than we did.

Were there specific people who helped shape your path, and how did their influence guide you?

I have been fortunate to learn from many mentors – both women and men – whose guidance shaped my journey. But two women from Kolkata, the city where I grew up in India, had the deepest influence on my life.

The first was my grandmother, Anjali Das. She was a single mother of three and an educator who defied the patriarchal expectations of her time to earn a graduate education and eventually become the principal of a girls’ school. Her determination came from a belief that education could transform lives.

The second was Sister S. M. Cyril, the principal of my school at Loreto in Kolkata. An Irish nun with extraordinary vision, she transformed the concept of service learning by bringing education directly to marginalized communities. I had the privilege of working alongside her as a student, and she showed me what it truly means to lead with purpose and compassion.

From both of these remarkable women, I learned that leadership requires courage – the courage to stand up for your convictions and work toward a more just and equitable world.

What has been one meaningful success in your work with RWU?

One of the most meaningful accomplishments at the Gabelli School of Business has been fostering a culture of innovation.

In the nearly three years since I joined RWU, we have launched three new majors, a new graduate program, a 3+1 MBA pathway, and a range of new courses – from a Mentorship Lab to AI-informed courses in accounting, finance, and marketing.

This culture of innovation has also helped us build stronger connections with other schools and divisions across campus, ensuring that our students graduate with the most relevant and meaningful business skills possible.

When you reflect on the journey that brought you to RWU, what experiences most prepared you for the work you’re doing now?

I grew up in India and came to the United States to pursue my Ph.D. in management.

I spent 17 years at Bryant University, where roles as department chair and associate dean gave me a broad understanding of academic leadership. I also taught international business and traveled with students to many countries, which allowed me to build lasting relationships across generations of students.

For several years I also served as a visiting professor at Aalto University in Finland. Those global experiences – living, working, and teaching in different parts of the world – have profoundly shaped how I connect with people from diverse backgrounds.

They have led me to a simple belief: there is far more that unites us as human beings than we often acknowledge, and if we look for those connections, we will find them.

What advice would you offer to students or early-career professionals stepping into leadership?

I often share three pieces of advice with aspiring leaders.

First, raise your hand for new opportunities – even when they feel intimidating or push you beyond your comfort zone. Growth rarely happens in familiar territory.

Second, be visible and present in the community you lead. Leadership is built on trust, and trust grows when people see that you are engaged and invested in their success.

Finally, do not try to emulate someone else’s leadership style. Authenticity matters. When you lead in a way that reflects who you truly are, people respond to that sincerity and respect it far more than you might expect.