Lily Bi: Shaping the Future of Business Education at AACSB

In June 2023, Lily Bi was appointed President and CEO of AACSB International, one of the most prestigious accrediting bodies for business schools worldwide. Her leadership comes at a critical moment business schools around the globe are rethinking how they teach, what they teach, and how to stay relevant in a rapidly shifting global economy.

AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) provides quality assurance, business education intelligence, and learning development services to over 1,700 institutions in more than 100 countries. For decades, AACSB accreditation has been a hallmark of excellence in business education, but today’s educational demands call for visionary leadership to guide institutions forward and that’s where Lily Bi stands out.

With over 30 years of experience across industries and continents, Lily Bi brings a rare blend of technical depth, strategic vision, and international perspective to AACSB. She holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), an MBA, and degrees in computer science. Her career has spanned leadership roles in the U.S., Japan, Singapore, and China, and she is fluent in English, Chinese, and Japanese. This diverse background uniquely positions her to lead a global organization at the intersection of education, business, and innovation.

Prior to AACSB, Bi served at the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), where she played a key role in expanding global programs. She also led international business strategy at Kirin Holdings in Japan. These roles, combined with her experience across public, private, and non-profit sectors, give her the kind of cross-border insight business education needs today.

At the heart of Bi’s vision is a strong belief that business schools must evolve beyond traditional academic silos. She emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, urging institutions to integrate subjects like science, the arts, and public health into core business curricula. Her philosophy centers on preparing students not only for corporate roles but also for real-world problem-solving in diverse global contexts.

Another cornerstone of her leadership is lifelong learning. In a time when technology and business models change rapidly, Bi advocates for business schools to instill a mindset of continuous education—where students are not just trained to perform, but to adapt and grow throughout their careers.

Bi is also a strong supporter of global collaboration. She speaks frequently about the importance of creating cross-border partnerships between institutions, students, and faculty. One market she’s particularly optimistic about is India, which she describes as a rapidly growing center for educational innovation. She supports India’s Academic Bank of Credits system, which allows flexible credit transfers and opens the door for more international students to access global opportunities.

Her approach to leadership is not just visionary—it’s also pragmatic. For instance, when diversity and inclusion language faced political challenges in certain U.S. states, AACSB, under Bi’s direction, adapted its language to “community and connectedness” to maintain institutional participation while preserving the spirit of inclusivity. This ability to balance values with operational flexibility reflects her thoughtful, grounded style.

As she guides AACSB through these changes, Bi is not alone in her commitment to transforming academic visibility. Organizations like GlobalX Publications share in this mission by offering publishing platforms where academic voices—especially from underrepresented or non-traditional backgrounds—can gain recognition. Just as AACSB raises standards in education, GlobalX elevates research by making it faster, more accessible, and globally visible.

Conclusion

Lily Bi is not just leading AACSB; she is redefining the future of business education. Her global mindset, inclusive approach, and focus on relevance over tradition make her a powerful figure in higher education leadership. As academic institutions worldwide seek direction in a post-pandemic world, Bi’s leadership offers clarity, strategy, and optimism for the next generation of global business leaders.