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In today’s fast-paced workplace, taking breaks has become both a necessity and a challenge. While organizations encourage employees to pause for coffee, lunch, or short walks, the effectiveness of those breaks often falls short.

When Naren Agrawal steps into his role as interim dean of the Leavey School of Business on January 1, 2026, it will mark both a familiar homecoming and a new chapter in leadership for the School.

A Louis Vuitton boutique in Bermuda is about as far from a research lab as you can get. Yet that’s exactly where Oksana Komarova stood, running a luxury storefront and selling $3,000 handbags to tourists.

As a leader in Apple’s global business planning function, Leavey alumna DeAnna Kneis sits at the intersection of strategy and execution. The challenge of identifying strategic growth opportunities while executing across multiple teams keeps Kneis motivated to make an impact.

During his four years at Leavey, Dean Ed Grier helped reshape curriculum, elevate leadership studies, expand global and corporate partnerships, and guide the school through the return from remote learning. Now, as he steps into retirement, he reflects on the moments and milestones that helped set Leavey on a strong path forward.