Dear Alumni and Friends,
I am impressed every year by how many changes take place at MIT Sloan and within our community—and by how much stays the same. 2025 and 2026 were no exception.
Sadly, our wonderful David Schmittlein (former John C Head III Dean, 2007–2024) passed away in March of last year after an extended illness. He is deeply missed by everyone who knew and worked with him. Through Dave’s efforts as dean, and thanks to his singular vision, MIT Sloan is the remarkable place that it is today. The school is fortunate to have had such an effective leader for so many years, and I am proud to have called Dave a colleague, mentor, and friend. Dave’s vision for MIT Sloan set the school on an incredible trajectory, one that enables the school’s people and programs to bring MIT Sloan’s unique brand of principled leadership to bear and to forge a positive future.
From early 2024—when Dave stepped down—to the summer of 2025, Professor Georgia Perakis effortlessly assumed the role of John C Head III Dean (Interim) and adeptly led MIT Sloan. She expanded the school’s presence in the Southeast Asia region, contributed to Institute priorities like the Climate Project at MIT and the MIT Generative AI Consortium, advanced essential cross-campus collaborations and fundraising efforts, and much more. With Georgia’s determination, wisdom, and enthusiasm, MIT Sloan’s leadership never wavered in its commitment to our community, purpose, and mission. I am grateful for her friendship and her stewardship.
On July 1, 2025, Richard M. Locke, PhD ’89, officially began his tenure as the John C Head III Dean at the MIT Sloan School of Management. As the 10th dean of the school, Rick began speaking with members of the alumni community, locally and around the globe. He sought to listen to your ideas and your concerns, understand your aspirations for the school, and identify new possibilities for working together to share what MIT Sloan has to offer the world.
Four priorities emerged from these conversations:
- Enhance the connections between MIT and MIT Sloan.
- Reimagine the future of management education.
- Cultivate an inclusive and engaged community.
- Ensure fiscal sustainability and operational excellence.
Reflecting on the school’s growth in 2025 and 2026, the constancy of the MIT Sloan community stands out. Every year, you are pioneering new ideas, driving positive change, and solving the world’s most pressing challenges. MIT Sloan alumni and friends, faculty and students, and staff and affiliates are continuously walking the talk of principled, innovative leadership. From year to year that never changes, and this was reflected in your conversations with Rick and the leadership team at MIT Sloan. Your commitment empowers the school to accomplish the four priorities above, and so much more.
Your dedication is also reflected in the hours of time you give as volunteers to expand and strengthen the MIT Sloan network, as well as in your generosity to the school. By leaning into the dean’s priorities, you can help MIT Sloan with advancing new faculty research, deepening student learning inside and outside the classroom, and delivering education and insight with global impact.
We have already seen some of the changes the rest of 2026 and 2027 will bring. As the year progresses, it will inevitably bring many others. I am excited for what the year has in store. You have my deepest thanks for your support this year and always, and I hope you enjoy reading more about what you help make possible in these stories.
Very best,
Kathryn Hawkes
Senior Associate Dean, External Engagement
MIT Sloan School of Management
