Boston nonprofit executive becomes first woman, person of color to lead WPI business school

Photo | Courtesy of Worcester Polytechnic Institute Rev. Debora Jackson, dean of The Business School at WPI

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Worcester Polytechnic Institute has named an alumna as the new dean of the Robert A. Foisie Business School, the first woman and person of color to do so.

The Rev. Debora Jackson, who has master’s degrees from WPI in both manufacturing engineering and management, joins the school with a background that includes corporate leadership, religious ministry and higher education. Her appointment, which was announced Tuesday, starts Jan. 1.

Jackson spent 20 years in software engineering, eventually holding executive roles at the Swiss firm Smart Energy, and holding director positions at three others. She then pivoted toward ministry, enrolling in the Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, where she earned her master's degree of divinity and doctorate of ministry in leadership. In 2017, Jackson was named the first director of lifelong learning at the Yale Divinity School.

Jackson was most recently the director of operations for All Girls Allowed Inc., a faith-based, nonprofit in Boston focused on educating and empowering women and girls. She is also an executive consultant for several nonprofit and faith-based organizations.

WPI President Laurie Leshin said in a statement that the Worcester school is focused on remaking Foisie as geared more toward WPI's core focuses in STEM subjects: science, technology, engineering and math.

“She brings a compelling vision for business education, wide-ranging expertise, tremendous depth of technical and business knowledge, and proven leadership skills along with a unique perspective and remarkable insights," Leshin said of Jackson. "She is one of WPI’s most distinguished and accomplished graduates, and I am thrilled that she will be coming home to the hill.”

Jackson was inducted into WPI's Hall of Luminaries in 2019, joining the school's hall of fame of sorts that honors those who've made exceptional contributions to their fields. She was also a member of the school's board of trustees since 2012. She succeeds Professor Steve Taylor, who has been the interim dean since 2018. She is the first woman and the first person of color to lead the WPI business school.