Gerlinde Berger-Walliser

Department Head; Marketing

Gerlinde Berger-Walliser’s expertise is in the areas of transnational jurisdiction, consumer protection, proactive law and legal design. Berger-Walliser teaches BLAW 5254, Social Responsibility and Accountability in Business, which focuses on firm management of environmental, social, and governance issues from a global strategic and regulatory perspective. She is a member of the International Association for Commercial and Contract Management and the Academy of Legal Studies in Business. Fluent in German and French, Berger-Walliser co-directs UConn’s EUROBIZ program; she holds a Ph.D. in Law from University of Bielefeld, Germany.

“Every year, I take a group of UConn graduate students on a study trip to France and North Africa. Sharing my passion for global cultures and helping my students to understand a foreign educational and business environment is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job.”

Vishal Narayan

Associate Dean; Graduate Programs, Associate Professor; Marketing

Vishal Narayan is an expert in marketing in developing economies, social media, and marketing analytics. He brings a breadth of experiences in the U.S. and Asia, as well as marketing consulting roles in India to his instruction. Narayan teaches MKTG 5255, Global Issues in Marketing for Social Impact, examining local and global market-focused topics and practices that can impact societal well-being. He holds a Ph.D. from New York University Stern School of Business, an M.B.A. from the Indian Institute of Management, and a B.E. from Delhi University.

“Some of my research studies consumption behaviors of underserved communities across the world. I’m excited to introduce MSSRIB students to the latest global research on how marketing can have positive social impact!”

Kelly Herd

Academic Director, MSSRIB; Associate Professor, Marketing; Dean’s Ackerman Scholar

Kelly Herd’s commitment to undergraduate students and to Marketing for a Better World exemplifies her engagement with Accelerated MSSRIB students. Herd teaches MKTG 3101/BADM 3750, Introduction to Marketing Management, where she cultivates engaging educational experiences around business problems. In 2022, she was named one of the 50 Best Undergraduate Business School Professors by Poets & Quants, and she has received university awards for innovation in the classroom. Her scholarly works focus on creativity and product design. Herd received a Ph.D. from the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado at Boulder.

“As an instructor, my goal is to cultivate an engaging educational experience that encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This combination empowers students to fully understand and address the complex challenges that business and society face.”

Robert Bird

Professor, Business Law; Eversource Energy Chair in Business Ethics

Robert Bird specializes in business ethics, compliance, corporate governance, and business and human rights and teaches BLAW 5175, Business, Law, and Ethics in Modern Society. Bird is well-published in leading business law journals and has received multiple research-related awards, including the Academy of Legal Studies in Business Best International Paper Award. Additionally, his instruction is highly regarded by students; he was the recipient of the Alpha Kappa Psi Teacher of the Year Award. Bird earned a JD and an MBA from Boston University.

“I teach how law and ethics impact business decisions. This involves not only having respect for the rule of law and its essential role in a functioning society, but also understanding how ethical values can transform individuals and organizations into agents of social change. I hope my students finish my class wanting to make a difference in the world, and to serve as leaders of ethics and social responsibility in whatever career they choose.”

Rachel Chambers

Assistant Professor, Business Law; Co-Director, Business and Human Rights Initiative

Rachel Chambers specializes in business and human rights and corporate accountability with attention to sustainable business. Chambers brings a decade of trial court advocacy and deep scholarly engagement in her field to teach BLAW 5252, Business and Human Rights which focuses on human rights implications of multinational enterprises’ global operations. Her leadership role in the Teaching Business and Human Rights Forum, comprising over 400 teachers globally, underscores her commitment to business and human rights pedagogy. Chambers holds a Ph.D. in Law from the University of Essex, United Kingdom. 

"I am passionate about teaching students the social impact of business; how businesses can map and understand the harmful effects on people and address these harms using the human rights framework."

Wynd Harris

Associate Professor-in-Residence, Marketing

Wynd Harris specializes in strategic brand management, digital marketing, and global marketing strategy with a focus on environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Harris’ instructional and advising efforts are student-centered. She has leveraged grant work with governmental institutions, as well as her work with veterans, to develop social entrepreneurs and responsible leaders. Harris holds a Ph.D. and BBA from the Price College of Business, University of Oklahoma, and a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Care and Personal Counseling from Hebrew Union College and Jewish Institute of Religion, New York University.

“My goal for the MSSRIB program is to provide a platform for developing and enhancing the skills needed for an individual to work effectively in a diverse set of organizations confronted with a world of constantly changing societal needs through socially responsible organizational leadership.”