The Hari Shankar Singhania School of Business (HSB), a leading business education institution under JK Lakshmipat University in Jaipur, has announced the appointment of Prof. Archana Shukla, the former Director of the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIML), as its new Director. This significant leadership change, effective from August 1, 2025, marks an important milestone for HSB as it seeks to strengthen its position as a premier institution for management education in India. Prof. Shukla takes over from Prof. Gregory Dunn, who previously served in the role.

Prof. Archana Shukla’s academic and professional career spans more than three decades, during which she has earned a reputation as an accomplished academic leader, researcher, and mentor. She is an alumna of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, where she earned her doctoral degree in Psychology, with a specialization in Organizational Behavior. Her scholarly expertise covers areas such as organizational culture, change management, knowledge systems, and behavioral sciences, making her one of the most respected figures in her domain.

At IIM Lucknow, Prof. Shukla served as the Director for six years, guiding the institution through an era of growth and academic innovation. Before that, she was the Dean of the Noida campus of IIML for more than three years. She also held the prestigious Dr. Ishwar Dayal Chair for Futuristic Issues in Behavioral Sciences between 2015 and 2017. Under her leadership, IIM Lucknow strengthened its industry collaborations, introduced forward-looking academic programs, and expanded its global partnerships.

Now at the helm of HSB, Prof. Shukla will be responsible for shaping the academic vision, enhancing research output, and creating a learning environment that integrates innovation, industry relevance, and global exposure. The institution’s flagship offering is a two-year UGC-accredited residential MBA program, which features specializations in Digital Product Management, Artificial Intelligence and Business Analytics, and Entrepreneurship and Organizational Foresight. With the business world rapidly evolving, her role will be critical in ensuring that HSB graduates are equipped with both the technical expertise and the adaptive skills required for success in dynamic work environments.

HSB, established under the JK Lakshmipat University umbrella, has been steadily building its reputation for providing cutting-edge management education with a strong industry interface. By bringing in an academic leader of Prof. Shukla’s stature, the institution signals its commitment to scaling up its academic standards, international outreach, and innovation-led teaching.

Commenting on her appointment, Shri B. H. Singhania, Chancellor of JK Lakshmipat University, expressed confidence that Prof. Shukla’s leadership and rich experience will propel HSB into a new phase of growth. He noted that her deep understanding of organizational behavior, coupled with her track record in academic excellence, makes her ideally suited to guide the institution toward becoming a globally recognized hub for management education.

In her first address as Director, Prof. Shukla expressed her enthusiasm about joining HSB at a transformative stage in its journey. She emphasized her vision to work closely with faculty, students, and industry mentors to develop programs that are not only academically rigorous but also aligned with global business needs. She also highlighted the importance of fostering innovation, cross-disciplinary learning, and ethical leadership as core values for the next generation of business leaders.

With her appointment, HSB is poised to further enhance its academic offerings, strengthen its ties with industry, and attract high-caliber talent from across India and abroad. As the institution looks to the future, Prof. Shukla’s leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in positioning it among the top business schools in the country.