An emphasis on purpose-driven, values-based leaders.

Building purpose-driven leaders of character and capability is central to WashU's mission to "act in service of truth through the formation of leaders…" The Bauer Leadership Center provides opportunities for Olin students to develop and grow as leaders to impact society positively.

Our approach to leader development aligns with the Bauer Leaders Academy, which helps students understand their purpose and develop foundational skills in communication, teamwork, and building trust. Leaders must have the critical thinking skills to decide what needs to be done and how to do it. Influential leaders continuously develop their self-awareness and interpersonal skills that provide leadership foundations.

When industry and community leaders enter the classroom, a common theme in their remarks is the importance of personal values and ethics—in their careers and in guiding their organizations. At Olin, purpose-driven leadership is an integral part of the business curriculum. Our goal is to model authentic leadership values and encourage students to develop a plan for balancing leadership impact with personal integrity. Olin offers two courses, Defining Moments and Women in Leadership, where students can hear from these leaders and their individual and career journeys.

Women in Leadership Course

Now in its ninth year, this course focuses on learning from the experiences and insights of women who have achieved excellence and impact

Bauer Leadership Center Signature Courses

Women in Leadership: Breaking barriers, creating impact
A course designed to inspire students by learning from experiences. Female students will be provided with empirical evidence about developing and maintaining leadership skills coupled with guest speakers. They will be asked to reflect deeply on what they expect from their careers and the pathways they must take to become effective and inclusive leaders in increasingly diverse organizations.

Optional to meet one of the Bauer Leadership Fellows requirements.

Fall 2024 Speakers:
- Maxine K. Clark, CEO, Clark-Fox Family Foundation Founder, Build-A-Bear Workshop; Chief INspirator, The Delmar DivINe
- Alaina Macia, President and CEO, MTM
- Geena Malhotra, Managing Director, Signet Excipients Ltd.
- Vanessa Okwuraiwe, Principal, Edward Jones
- Lorenza Pasetti, CEO, Volpi Foods
- Jennifer Smith Abella, Chief Talent Officer, RubinBrown LLP
Defining Moments: Define your own values, principles, and beliefs
Most transformational leaders can point to a handful of key moments defining the trajectory of their character, career, and company. How can aspiring business leaders prepare to face their defining moments with insight and integrity? This course examines these questions by learning from leaders who exemplify business excellence and personal character. (Required for Bauer Leadership Fellows)

Spring 2024 Speakers:
- Yemi S. Akande-Bartsch, Ph.D., President and CEO, FOCUS St. Louis
- Bob Chapman, Chairman and CEO, Barry-Wehmiller
- Michael Holmes, Founder, Rx Outreach
- Alaina Maciá, President and CEO, MTM
- Aaron Powell, CEO, Pizza Hut Global
- Tony Ryan, Partner, President and Chief Executive Officer, Arrowstreet Capital, LP
- Michelle D. Tucker, President & Chief Executive Officer, United Way of Greater St. Louis
Leadership in the Trenches: Learning to lead through experience

This class is designed to help students advance their leadership capacity by engaging in and learning from a challenging leadership experience. Participants in this class are required to apply and be accepted as a Team Lead for Olin’s Center for Experiential Learning Practicum Program. Three workshops are associated with this course, and 1:1 coaching with an ICF Certified Leadership Coach is part of the curriculum.

Required for Bauer Leadership Fellows.
Bauer Leadership Fellows: Stretch your leadership insight

Developing yourself as a leader requires engaging in experiential learning, focused coursework, and coaching. Become a leader of character and capability by seizing opportunities in all these areas. The Bauer Leadership Fellows requirements help students advance their leadership capacity and refine and understand their values and strengths.

There are three requirements to earn this award. Before graduation, students who meet the requirements will receive a certificate and a medallion honoring their commitment to leadership development.

Olin Leadership Curriculum Foundations

Undergraduate leadership program and degrees
Our BSBA Major in Organization and Strategic Management, BSBA Minor in the Business of Social Impact or Non-BSBA Program options for these focus areas combine coursework in leadership, organizational behavior, strategy, and human resources. The major is ideal for students interested in management rotational programs, consulting, and/or human resource management.

The following courses are just a few examples undergraduates can take as a requirement to complete the Bauer Leadership Fellows or enhance their leadership skills:
- Organization Behavior Within the Form
- Leadership in Organization
- Women in Leadership
- Negotiation/Conflict Management
- Creative Thinking/Leading the Creative Organization
Graduate leadership programs and degrees
Leadership development is infused in Olin graduate programs at all levels. The following courses are just a few examples graduates can take as a requirement to complete the Bauer Leadership Fellows or enhance their leadership skills:
- Politics and Power in Organizations
- Leading Change
- Teamwork & Leading Organizations
- Leadership Competence (summer only)
- Women in Leadership
- Negotiation/Conflict Management
- Creative Thinking/Leading the Creative Organization