Annette L. Ranft named Dean of Wake Forest School of Business

Annette L. Ranft

Dear students, faculty and staff,

Following the completion of a national search, I am pleased to announce that Wake Forest has appointed Annette L. Ranft as the new Dean of the School of Business, effective July 1.

I am grateful to members of the search committee, chaired by Provost Rogan Kersh, for bringing Dean Ranft to Wake Forest. I’d also like to sincerely thank Michelle Roehm, who has served with dedication and distinction as interim dean in the School of Business since January 2021.

Dean Ranft will lead our business school with a commitment to collaboration and a focus on innovation. She has the experience to build on our business school’s tradition of excellence, as well as the vision to prepare our students for a lifetime of leadership and public service in the business world. You can read more about her experience and accomplishments here. 

Dean Ranft comes to Wake Forest from Auburn University, where she serves as dean and Wells Fargo Professor at the Harbert College of Business. Before leading Auburn’s business school, she was dean and Steve P. Zelnak, Jr. Chair at North Carolina State University’s Poole College of Management. Early in her career, Annette served on Wake Forest’s business school faculty, so in addition to being an exciting opportunity for her,  this is also a homecoming.

Please join me in welcoming Dean Ranft to the Wake Forest community.

Sincerely,

Susan R. Wente, Ph.D.
President