Sprott’s Kate Ruff Honoured as 2024 AACSB Influential Leader

Ninth annual initiative recognizes 22 impactful business school researchers

Kate Ruff at Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business is one of 22 business school faculty honoured by AACSB International (AACSB)—the world’s largest business education alliance—as the 2024 Class of Influential Leaders. The annual initiative recognizes notable alumni and faculty from AACSB-accredited business schools whose work inspires positive change in the business world and society at large, and this year’s class features faculty leading impact through their research.

An associate professor of accounting and a research fellow in Carleton’s Centre for Community Innovation, Kate’s research on impact measurement is enabling more useful and interoperable impact data, equipping impact investors to be more attuned to the needs of their investees and those whose lives are most impacted by the investments. Her work is being applied in policies, investment firms, social purpose organizations, and impact reporting standards in Canada, the U.S., and Europe.

Her research has led to the development of a flexible measurement standard, through non-profit Common Approach to Impact Measurement, that is being implemented in more than 6,000 organizations as part of the Government of Canada’s $755 million Social Finance Fund.

 “Kate’s work demonstrates the potential of business school research to address some of today’s most critical challenges,” said Lily Bi, AACSB president and CEO. “The knowledge Kate is producing will help inform and create real change in the world.”

Now in its ninth year, AACSB’s Influential Leaders member spotlight program highlights the value that business schools bring to business and society—whether through the alumni who have used their business education to improve the industries and communities they serve, or the faculty leading positive impact through their research. All faculty from this year’s class are from one of AACSB’s more than 1,000 accredited business schools worldwide.

The 2024 honorees are advancing research in the areas of AI, healthcare, sustainability, finance, entrepreneurship, and more. The selected leaders exemplify the important role of business school faculty in developing new knowledge that provides timely and relevant solutions for business and societal challenges.

The unique stories of each honoree, including Kate’s, are available at aacsb.edu/influential-leaders.