Drucker alumna Tawni Cranz ’11 chosen as one of this year’s ‘Influential Leaders’ by the AACSB

Drucker School alumna Tawni Cranz (EMBA, ’11) has been chosen by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) as one of its Class of 2016 Influential Leaders.

The announcement of this year’s recipients (http://www.aacsb.edu/Influential-Leaders) was made today during the 2016 Annual Accreditation Conference held in Minneapolis, Minn.

“The 2016 Influential Leaders illustrates how the power of a business degree goes beyond—beyond industries, reaching lives in every part of the world—pioneering change, fostering global exchange, and improving the quality of life,” said Thomas R. Robinson, president and chief executive officer of AACSB International.

For the AACSB, an influential leader is someone who pushes boundaries and who pioneers changes in companies and industries that will produce meaningful social impact.

In the case of Drucker’s Cranz, who serves as chief talent officer for Netflix, her efforts have involved establishing policies to help preserve the work-life balance of her company’s employees.

According to the AACSB, in its “Influential Leaders” announcement, Cranz was behind Netflix’s decision to provide something that is uncommon in the corporate world–unlimited time off for new parents within the first year of a child’s birth or adoption.

“Cranz has said that Netflix wants its employees to have the flexibility and confidence to balance the needs of their growing families without having to worry about work or finances,” the AACSB announcement says. “Policies such as this put Netflix at the forefront of organizational change as it relates to the productivity of its employees.”

As chief talent officer of Netflix since 2012–and the sole female member of the leadership team–Cranz leads a talented team that maintains the company’s unique corporate culture, hires new talent, and keeps the organization lean and flexible despite enormous growth.

Other recipients of this year’s “Influential Leaders” award from the AACSB include Goodwill Industries’ Major General Kevin Bergner, the Anti-Recidivism Coalition’s Founder Scott Rudnick, Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s Executive Director Zenetta Drew, Global Social Responsibility Consultant Sarah Freed and several more. A 100-year-old non-profit organization, the AACSB focuses on a mission of fostering engagement and accelerating innovation and impact in business education.

To listen to Tawni Cranz talk about her experiences as a Drucker student, visit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjKkGENKR2w