Robert Sanders named a 2025 AACSB Influential Leader

Alumnus Robert Sanders has been honored by AACSB International (AACSB) as a member of its 2025 Class of Influential Leaders

The distinction highlights 24 outstanding entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs from AACSB-accredited business schools.

Sanders (BSBA ’00) is the founder of Sanders Development Group (SDG), a commercial real estate development company that is shaping community redevelopment in areas of Cincinnati, his hometown. Through SDG, Robert utilizes turnkey, mixed-used development and redevelopment opportunities to help spur growth, expand access to economic opportunities and foster vibrant and healthy Cincinnati-area neighborhoods.

“Robert’s work demonstrates how business schools can fuel solution-minded leaders to create new business ventures and solve complex challenges,” said Lily Bi, president and CEO of the AACSB, the world’s largest business education association. 

“Through entrepreneurial approaches and visionary thinking, Robert is creating meaningful change in the world.”

See Robert’s 2025 Influential Leader profile 

Now in its 10th year, AACSB’s Influential Leaders member spotlight program highlights the value that business schools bring to business and society. All honorees from this year’s class have a degree from one of AACSB’s more than 1,000 accredited business schools worldwide.

Leaders in the 2025 class have used their entrepreneurial skills to not only realize their business dreams but foster economic growth in their communities, generate new value for existing organizations, and leverage innovative thinking to solve societal challenges.

Each Influential Leader was nominated by their school, which shared inspiring stories of how the honoree leads in fostering innovation, adding value to organizations, and making an impact in businesses and communities.