A German dean for the Bologna Business School

Bologna Business School has a new dean. Christiane Spitzmueller, Professor of Psychological Sciences and Vice-Provost at the University of California, Merced, will work alongside Max Bergami, the long-standing dean and current Executive Chairman of BBS. The decision was taken unanimously by the board of directors of the Bologna Business School Foundation following a selection process launched in autumn 2025 and overseen by a committee chaired by Laurent Choain (Accor) and comprising Michele Antoniazzi (Ferrari), Giorgio Bellettini (University of Bologna), Helke Carvalho Hernandes (EFMD), Alice Guilhon (SKEMA Business School), Andrea Pontremoli (Dallara) and Max Bergami. The Committee reviewed 76 applications submitted from around the world. 

 Of German origin, Spitzmueller has over twenty years’ experience in academia in the United States and has been involved in numerous international collaborations in Europe, Canada and Nigeria. He founded the Centre for Applied Psychological Research at the University of Houston and heads the Centre for Excellence in Faculty Advancement (CEFA), a research consortium supported by the National Science Foundation dedicated to academic career development. His research, which was recognised in 2025 with the Raymond Katzell Award from the Society for Industrial and Organisational Psychology, focuses on the relationship between universities, organisations and personal development, with a constant emphasis on the dialogue between research and business.

Christiane Spitzmueller will be moving to Bologna with her family and will be introduced to the BBS community at the 2026 Graduation ceremony, scheduled for 18 September, as is now traditional in Piazza Maggiore in Bologna. “I am delighted to be joining a school that is experiencing a period of extraordinary growth, built up thanks to the leadership of Max Bergami,” said Christiane Spitzmueller. “Bologna Business School is a unique institution, a meeting point between academic research of the highest calibre and one of Europe’s most important industrial ecosystems, ranging from the agri-food sector to Motor Valley. I look forward to helping shape the future of BBS and the region’s academic and entrepreneurial ecosystem,” concluded the new dean.

The appointment of Christiane Spitzmueller marks a further step in Bologna Business School’s internationalisation process, which began under Max Bergami’s leadership. The Foundation’s board of directors believes that the new dean’s experience in academic leadership, strategic planning and building relationships between universities, institutions and businesses will help to strengthen the school’s international standing and expand its opportunities for collaboration, research and education.

“The Board took this decision following in-depth work carried out by a committee comprising highly distinguished figures representing the Foundation’s members and other stakeholders, to whom we extend our gratitude for their professionalism and commitment,” said Max Bergami, executive chairman of Bologna Business School. “I look to the future of BBS with great confidence and believe that Professor Spitzmueller will have a positive impact, bringing new experiences and expertise to the school. I like to think that BBS has believed in her and that Professor Spitzmueller has believed in us.”