Raj Echambadi

Raj Echambadi is the Alan J. and Joyce D. Baltz Professor and Senior Associate Dean of Strategic Innovation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Gies College of Business. With a robust academic background that includes a Ph.D. in Marketing from the University of Houston, he has dedicated his career to exploring strategic innovation within organizations. His research focuses on how firms can balance current operations with future opportunities, emphasizing the importance of innovation in maintaining competitive advantage. Raj has received numerous accolades for his teaching and research, including recognition for his contributions to employee entrepreneurship.In addition to his research, Professor Echambadi teaches courses such as "Strategic Innovation: Building and Sustaining Innovative Organizations," where he equips students with the tools and frameworks necessary for effective strategic decision-making in dynamic business environments. His leadership was instrumental in launching the iMBA program at UIUC, which has been praised as one of the most innovative educational initiatives in recent years. Through his work, Raj Echambadi continues to influence the fields of marketing and business education, preparing students to navigate the complexities of modern organizational challenges.