Wendy Smith

Wendy K. Smith

Dana J. Johnson Professor of Management

University of Delaware

Newark, DE

Wendy K. Smith is the Dana J. Johnson professor of management at the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics and co-director Women’s Initiative at the University of Delaware. She earned her doctorate in organizational behavior at Harvard Business School, where she began her research on strategic paradoxes — how leaders and senior teams effectively respond to contradictory, yet interdependent demands. Working with executives and scholars globally, she received the Web of Science Highly Cited Research Award for four consecutive years and received the Decade Award from the Academy of Management Review. Her work has been published in such journals as Academy of Management Journal, Administrative Science Quarterly, Harvard Business Review, Organization Science and Management Science. She has taught at the University of Delaware, Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania – Wharton while leading classes for executive and senior leadership teams around the globe.

Online Courses

Past Webinars

  • Blending Respect and Efficiency in the Business Office This item is protected

    February 20, 2026
    Join members of NBOA’s volunteer Human Resources Council for a practical discussion on strategies to safeguard your working hours without compromising collegial relationships —all while saving time.
  • Facing the Aftermath of Disaster: Lessons & Preparedness Strategies This item is protected

    February 6, 2026
    Hear firsthand experience navigating the Palisades Fire and discover practical lessons in evacuation, business continuity, board governance and emergency response planning to help your organization prepare for the unexpected.
  • Business Office & Admissions Partnering on Net Tuition Revenue This item is protected

    January 23, 2026
    It’s essential to manage enrollment and financial aid in a consistent, sustainable and predictable way — but doing so can be complex and challenging. Learn how established sustainable net tuition revenue targets support mission, program and budget.
  • Optimizing the Auxiliary Workforce: Compliance, Culture & Sustainability This item is protected

    January 9, 2026
    This webinar invites school leaders to rethink auxiliary staffing — across summer, afterschool, enrichment and other programs — as a lever for sustainability, compliance and culture-building.
  • The Fine Art of Handling Conflict for Business Officers This item is protected

    December 5, 2025
    This webinar will equip attendees with practical strategies to navigate disputes with clarity and confidence, and offers actionable insights on handling complaints and resolving conflict in ways that foster collaboration and strengthen relationships.

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