The Spirit

Key Concepts

• GSB at 100: A series celebrating the centennial of the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
• Tagline Development: The process of creating the GSB's motto: "Change lives, change organizations, change the world."
• Staff Contributions: The vital, often behind-the-scenes, roles of staff in the GSB's success and culture.
• Community and Camaraderie: The importance of interpersonal relationships and mutual support within the GSB.
• Innovation and Tradition: The balance between preserving foundational values and embracing future growth and change.
• Impact and Legacy: The enduring influence of GSB education on individuals, organizations, and society.

Staff Stories and GSB Culture

This episode of "GSB at 100" highlights the integral role of the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) staff in shaping the institution's identity and success. The narrative unfolds through the personal experiences and perspectives of several individuals who have dedicated significant portions of their careers to the GSB.

Courtney Payne: From Receptionist to Director of Student Support

Courtney Payne's journey at the GSB began 30 years ago as a front desk receptionist when the school was housed in a single building. She recounts the challenges of updating alumni contact information in the mid-1990s, requiring her to improvise by engaging alumni in conversation while navigating complex systems. This experience led her to observe two key themes: the enduring and deepening bonds among classmates, and the way the GSB education, like "fine wine," reveals its full value over time. These observations inspired her to become more involved in the student experience, eventually leading to her current role as Director of Student Support for the MBA and MSX programs. Payne also plays a crucial role in graduation ceremonies, silently coordinating the name reading and diploma distribution, a task that requires intense concentration but is deeply rewarding. She emphasizes that while the GSB is known for its faculty and ideas, it is the capable and accomplished staff who exemplify the school's spirit and keep it running smoothly.

The Genesis of the GSB Tagline: "Change Lives, Change Organizations, Change the World"

Barbara Buell, former Director of Communications at Stanford GSB (mid-90s to 2015), details the process of developing the school's iconic tagline. Around 2002, a desire arose to capture the essence of the GSB experience. Buell consulted with Derek Bolton, then Director of Admissions, who suggested speaking with Jim Coulter (MBA '86), a member of the Dean's Advisory Council. Coulter emphasized the themes of "change and impact." To distill these ideas, Buell convened a diverse group of staff from various departments, including executive education, development, admissions, and marketing. In a focused session, this group collaboratively crafted the three-sentence imperative: "Change lives, change organizations, change the world." The tagline was chosen for its energy and its implication that GSB's intellectual pursuits translate into real-world action, impacting students' lives, the organizations they join, and ultimately, the world at large, regardless of sector (large corporations, startups, or nonprofits).

Arthll Coleman: Creating a Home Away From Home

Arthll Coleman, a Junior, serves as a key figure at the Schwab Residential Center, the GSB residences. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have managed approximately 480 rooms, overseeing move-ins, maintenance, and the well-being of students from various programs (MBA, MSX, PhD, Executive Education). Coleman views the residences as a "living and learning environment" and a "home away from home." He recounts an instance where he went "off script" to comfort an emotionally distressed student by dancing in the rain with her, demonstrating a commitment to student welfare that extends beyond operational duties. His work, characterized by warmth and dedication, sustains the daily rhythm of life at the GSB.

Nancy Gross: The Friendly Face of Support

Nancy Gross, an Operations Manager in the MBA and MSX office, has been the first point of contact for matriculated students for 25 years. She humbly corrects the notion that she "knows all the answers," instead promising to "try to get all the answers." Gross handles inquiries ranging from academics to personal issues, always with a friendly demeanor and a smile, often accompanied by candy. She believes her work contributes to the GSB's intangible qualities: culture, community, and spirit, hoping to influence students' future contributions to business, government, and society. She expresses a hope that the GSB will continue to grow and adapt, fostering the best faculty and producing graduates who make the world a better place.

Sue Elliot: Witnessing Educational Transformation

Sue Elliot, Director of Faculty Support Services, works closely with professors, assisting them with everything from syllabi refinement to major projects. Her role has provided her with a "front row seat" to the educational process. For three years, she sat in on Professor Ahmed Seru's finance class, witnessing firsthand the profound impact of engaged teaching on students' faces. She describes the experience as a privilege, seeing students deeply absorbing every word and engaging with professors after class, an experience that could be "tear-jerking." Elliot also reflects on the GSB's evolution, recalling the more intimate environment of the Littlefield building before the move to the current campus, where faculty, students, and staff shared common spaces and engaged in informal activities, fostering strong relationships. She fondly remembers GSB lecturer Bill Mian, who passed away in 2023, highlighting his genuine care for everyone he worked with. Mian's former staff dedicated their time and effort to his projects for free, stating they "could never pay Bill back for what he did for us," a testament to his profound impact beyond monetary compensation, a spirit that Elliot sees mirrored in the GSB's campus.

Diane Lee: Nurturing Future Knowledge Creators

Diane Lee, Assistant Dean for the PhD program, acts as both a strategist and steward, guiding the program's future and supporting its scholars. She describes the rewarding experience of witnessing PhD students discover their research identity, noting a tangible shift in their demeanor and discourse. Her team engages with PhD students from pre-admission through their entry into the job market. Lee observes the transformation of students from "consumers of knowledge" to "producers of knowledge," contributing to literature and understanding in fields like organizations, business, management, and government. These graduates go on to become faculty at other institutions or join organizations like the Fed and the World Bank as experts. She highlights Professor Michael Estroski, a recipient of the 2025 PhD Distinguished Mentorship Award, as an example of this full-circle impact, having been a student herself when Estroski was at another institution. Lee emphasizes the GSB's community where teaching, learning, and mentoring build upon each other, fostering new knowledge and creating a cycle of growth, with former PhD students becoming junior and then senior faculty, taking on leadership roles.

Marlon Wells: Embracing Technological Evolution

Marlon Wells, a System Administrator in Digital Solutions, has been with the GSB for nearly 45 years, witnessing significant technological advancements. She began her career at the GSB in the mailroom at age 18, having been brought in by her cousin. Her aptitude for technology emerged when she learned to use a word processor in 1979, a groundbreaking technology at the time. Wells has held at least 12 different roles at the GSB, embracing change and making each experience positive. She notes the dramatic evolution of technology, comparing the early word processors to "dinosaur age" by today's standards. Despite the rapid changes, Wells hopes the "camaraderie" and the way people treat and help each other at the GSB will never change.

Synthesis and Conclusion

The stories of Courtney Payne, Barbara Buell, Arthll Coleman, Nancy Gross, Sue Elliot, Diane Lee, and Marlon Wells collectively illustrate that the Stanford Graduate School of Business is more than just a place of academic rigor; it is a vibrant community built on the dedication, passion, and human connection of its staff. From the initial development of its guiding motto to the daily operations and the nurturing of future leaders, the staff's contributions are foundational. They embody the GSB's spirit, ensuring that the institution not only imparts knowledge but also fosters personal growth, community, and a lasting impact on the world. The narrative emphasizes a continuous cycle of learning, innovation, and mentorship, where tradition and progress coexist, all driven by a shared commitment to excellence and a desire to "change lives, change organizations, change the world." The GSB's future, as envisioned by its staff, rests on this enduring community of shared values and the collective effort to always strive for something great.