Kellogg School of Management Appoints Jake Cohen as New Associate Dean of Global EMBA and Executive Education

EVANSTON, IL – The Kellogg School of Management today announced the appointment of Jake Cohen as Associate Dean of Global EMBA and Executive Education and Clinical Professor of Accounting and Business Law, effective January 1. Cohen joins Kellogg from MIT Sloan School of Management, where he serves as Senior Associate Dean and was a founding faculty member and interim CEO, President and Dean of the Asia School of Business, an MIT Sloan-Central Bank of Malaysia collaboration. He previously served as Dean of INSEAD's MBA program. 

The appointment comes as Kellogg's executive education programs experience unprecedented demand amid rapid business changes and technological disruption. 

“Jake's global perspective and deep experience in executive and graduate education make him an extraordinary addition to our leadership team," said Kellogg Dean Francesca Cornelli.” In today’s volatile business environment, executive education isn't just valuable—it's essential for organizational resilience and competitive advantage. With Jake's leadership, Kellogg is positioned to deliver the transformative learning experiences that modern executives need to thrive." 

Cohen brings both academic leadership and industry experience to the role. Outside of academia, he worked at KPMG as an accountant and served in PwC’s Mergers and Acquisitions legal tax group. He has consulted for companies including Boston Consulting Group, Blackstone, Blumberg Capital and many others.

Strategic Leadership for Growing Market Demand 

Cohen’s appointment addresses surging market demand for executive education. Kellogg’s Executive Education program delivered a record 352 programs in FY24 for over 22,000 participants — including 69 open enrollment programs, 114 custom programs for specific clients, 128 online iterations and 41 nonprofit programs. This represents the highest participation in the school's history as professionals seek to stay ahead of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. 

Kellogg's Executive Education portfolio spans digital transformation, corporate governance, and strategic leadership — equipping leaders with skills needed to navigate today's dynamic workplace. 

Leading a Top-Ranked Program 

Under Cohen's leadership, Kellogg will continue building on its Executive MBA program’s strong market position. The program ranks #2 in the world by U.S. News & World Report and #1 by Fortune, recognized for its rigorous curriculum, world-class faculty and powerful global network. 

The EMBA program operates from campuses in Evanston and Miami, with global partner schools spanning Europe, Asia and Canada. In his role, Cohen will leverage his multi-continental leadership experience—from directing INSEAD's France, Singapore and Abu Dhabi operations to co-founding and leading the Asia School of Business.  

To support continued growth of its executive programming, Kellogg recently expanded its offerings in Miami, reflecting the school’s commitment to serving executives in dynamic markets and providing a gateway to Latin America. A new state-of-the-art building on the Evanston campus will be the new signature home for Kellogg’s executive programs, providing enhanced hybrid instruction and global engagement through cutting-edge technology. The building will significantly expand capacity to accommodate increasing demand. 

“I'm thrilled to join Kellogg at such an exciting inflection point for executive education. The convergence of technological disruption and evolving leadership challenges creates a unique moment where world-class institutions like Kellogg can truly differentiate themselves,” said Cohen. “I look forward to working with Kellogg's outstanding faculty and staff to deliver programs that prepare business leaders to excel in an increasingly interconnected and rapidly evolving global marketplace.”   

Leadership Transition 

Cohen's appointment follows Tom O'Toole's impactful five-year tenure as Kellogg’s Associate Dean of Executive Programs, during which he significantly strengthened both the EMBA and Executive Education programs. O'Toole will step down August 30. 

Rob Apatoff, Executive Director of the Kellogg Executive Leadership Institute and clinical professor, will serve as interim Associate Dean of Executive Programs from September through December. Apatoff brings deep institutional knowledge and executive experience from CEO roles at major companies, along with leadership on strategic Kellogg initiatives. 

“Tom, Rob and Jake are collaborating closely to ensure seamless transition and continued momentum for our executive offerings,” added Dean Cornelli.