Linda Endecott has been hired as managing director of Washington University in St. Louis’ top-ranked Olin Business School Executive MBA Program in Kansas City. Endecott will lead the university’s efforts to continue the expansion, momentum and reputation of its Executive MBA program, which has been offered in Kansas City since 2010.
“As we celebrate the five-year anniversary of our Olin Business School Executive MBA program in Kansas City, we will look to Linda to be a catalyst for our continued growth in quality students and reputation,” said Stuart Bunderson, PhD, associate dean at Olin, director of executive programs and the George and Carol Bauer Professor of Organizational Ethics and Governance.
“In addition to an extensive background in business and program development, Linda has cultivated strong community relationships and has become a well-respected advocate for the Kansas City region,” Bunderson said.
A Pennsylvania native, Endecott moved to Kansas City in the early 1970s. Since that time, she has successfully helmed a number of consultancy businesses. Most recently, she was a partner at iValution, which helps leaders plan and implement bold, value-creating change. In addition, she has worked in senior development roles for nonprofits and has served as a board member and volunteer for numerous philanthropic and civic organizations and initiatives.
In her new role, Endecott will engage with the greater Kansas City region and its vibrant business community to build collaborative partnerships that support talent development and executive education. In addition, she will focus on identifying and developing relationships with some of the best talent in the region with the goal of keeping these leaders in Kansas City to earn a top-tier Executive MBA as opposed to having to travel regularly outside of the market to other prestigious programs.
The Olin Executive MBA offers executive students in Kansas City the same 20-month curriculum that is taught on the Washington University campus in St. Louis. During the first year of the program, Olin’s full-time faculty, who are research-based and among the best in their field, travel to Kansas City to teach executive students applied learning techniques with a global perspective.
In year two, Kansas City-based students attend classes monthly on the Washington University campus with their peers — who come from across the U.S. — in the St. Louis-based cohort. Near the end of the program, students participate in an eight-day residency in Shanghai, China, where they interact with executive students and alumni of the joint Washington University-Fudan University Executive MBA Program.
The Financial Times has rated the Washington University-Fudan University Executive MBA Program sixth best worldwide. Olin Business School also offers its Executive MBA program in Denver and will launch in Mumbai, India, next April.
“What an incredible opportunity this is to represent one of the most respected Executive MBA programs in the world, right here in the city I love,” Endecott said. “I am thrilled to be part of the continued growth of the Olin Business School’s renowned reputation in Kansas City.”