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The Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) has announced Erin Nixon as its new Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, starting July 1, 2024.
Nixon, an alumna of Stanford who has earned both her undergraduate and MBA degrees from the university, returns to the GSB with a diverse professional background, excited to tackle this new opportunity.
Background & Experience
Nixon graduated from Stanford with a BA in Economics, before beginning her career at the Boston Consulting Group, working in the Los Angeles, Amsterdam, and San Francisco offices. After several years there, she returned to Stanford to complete her MBA at the renowned Graduate School of Business.
After two more years at BCG, Nixon joined LinkedIn, helping to scale the Talent Brand Solutions unit globally. In that role, she oversaw a team that spanned 18 countries and co-developed several company-wide initiatives to grow talent, including the Women’s Initiative at LinkedIn (WIN) and Data-Driven University (DDU), a key strategic leadership training program.
Following her tenure at LinkedIn, Nixon ventured into entrepreneurship, opening an acclaimed wine bar and restaurant in Barcelona, Spain. Her career has also included advising roles in technology and marketing startups, the latest of which is a digital marketing agency empowering wine and spirits brands to go global with digital solutions.
Official Statements
The existing GSB team has praised Nixon's unique skill set and fit for this important admissions position. "We conducted a thorough, international search for someone who could seamlessly integrate into this multifaceted role," says Paul Oyer, the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, "Erin's remarkable blend of talents makes her ideally suited to represent the GSB, manage our professional team, and accurately assess the potential of our applicants. She is an excellent addition to our leadership team."
Nixon is excited to return and make her impact, saying in her official statement, “I’m delighted to step into this role because I feel deeply aligned with the mission and goals of Stanford GSB. I’ve experienced firsthand how it transforms the trajectory of its students, unlocking leadership potential to drive meaningful impact in the world. Stanford is an incredibly inspiring place, and it’s a dream to be able to return to the Farm and serve the GSB community in this way.”
Vision for Admissions
In her role, Nixon will oversee the admissions and financial aid departments, focusing on attracting a robust and diverse group of future leaders. Her leadership is expected to reinforce Stanford GSB’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, bringing together students with varied lived experiences and perspectives, united by shared values and common goals.
Nixon asserts that her role is "at its heart, about identifying and connecting with smart, highly motivated people who want to make a difference in the world. It is about bringing them together to create a strong, robust community, representing a wide variety of lived experiences, ambitions, and perspectives, united by common values.”
What Does This Mean for Applicants?
TBD! Erin appears to be a talented GSB alumna who will bring a wealth of diverse, international experience to the role. Every time a new dean is appointed, things naturally change, so we'll be watching this closely. Make sure you stay in the loop on all new developments by signing up for Leland. We'll be hosting future events with Stanford GSB experts to ensure you have everything you need to be successful in the admissions process.
For more information about Stanford GSB and its programs, please visit the official Stanford GSB website.
