Graduate & PhD Convocation Ceremony Program for the Class of 2025
Convocation Speakers
Susan Fournier
Allen Questrom Professor and Dean
Professor, Marketing
Susan Fournier joined the faculty at Boston University Questrom School of Business in 2005 as an Associate Professor of Marketing and Dean’s Research Fellow. In the ensuing years, she advanced through the faculty ranks and was named Questrom Professor in Management in 2013. She has been an influential member of the community in her varied roles as an educator, researcher, and administrator.
As Questrom’s first academic dean in over 40 years, Susan has the benefit of an inside perspective. She brings a wealth of personal experience in academia with over 24 years in the Undergrad, MBA and Executive classrooms of Harvard Business School, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, and Questrom. She is a celebrated professor who designed and delivered one of Questrom’s Top 10 MBA electives. She recently served as Senior Associate Dean of Faculty & Research, and was a prior Faculty Director of the Questrom MBA and Doctoral programs. She is an award-winning researcher with an in-depth knowledge of the research and publication enterprises, what it takes to produce “research that matters,” how to bring that knowledge into the classroom, and what it takes to translate academic research for the most significant impact on practice—facets critical to understand in the pursuit of creating value for the world.
Susan is also the first woman dean at Questrom, marking a significant moment in our history. She is “looking forward to a time when this descriptor is not considered a unique attribute.” Of equal importance, Susan is a first-generation college student. This status gives her meaningful insight as Questrom continues to focus on diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the School’s life.
Sarah Abdelwahab
MBA Candidate, Class of 2024
Sarah Abdelwahab is graduating with high honors with an MBA from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. A former physician, Sarah transitioned to research leadership at Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Institute at the start of the program, where she oversaw multiple oncology research teams, including the cellular therapy program. At Questrom, she brought her unique perspective as a physician-researcher to the classroom while actively engaging with her Online MBA peers.
During her MBA, Sarah was appointed Executive Medical Director at Abeona Therapeutics, where she leads the medical team and recently oversaw the launch of new therapeutics. Passionate about bridging the gap between medicine and business, she will continue in her role to support a successful medical launch and strategic growth for the company.
In her spare time, Sarah enjoys hiking, tennis, reading, and discovering new bubble tea shops—recommendations are always welcome!