UD's Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business is proud to announce that alumnus Irvin Ashford Jr., MBA '00, was among 33 business school graduates recently honored in the 2019 Class of Influential Leaders by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) — the world's largest business education alliance. The annual challenge recognizes notable alumni from AACSB-accredited schools whose inspiring work serves as a model for the next generation of business leaders.

"Irvin has had and continues to have a great impact on business and society through his efforts at work and in the community. His initiatives have created opportunities for people to help and be helped in new, connected ways," said Dean of the Gupta College of Business Brett J. L. Landry.

Since graduating from the University of Dallas in 2000, Irvin Ashford Jr. has built his career at Comerica Bank on a foundation of service to his community and using business as a vehicle to drive change. He is currently serving in the role of senior vice president of external affairs and national director of financial education at Comerica Bank.

Ashford has helped thousands of individuals in Texas become financially literate and more fiscally responsible. Through his work at Comerica Bank and with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, Ashford has been a role model for Dallas-area children growing up in disenfranchised communities.

"AACSB is honored to recognize Mr. Ashford and congratulates the University of Dallas for its role in preparing alumni who are leading examples of business education as a force for good in the world," said Thomas R. Robinson, president and CEO of AACSB. "The diversity of backgrounds, industries and career paths of the 2019 Class of Influential Leaders demonstrates that AACSB-accredited schools are preparing graduates to succeed wherever their passions may take them."

Now in its fourth year, the AACSB Class of Influential Leaders challenge has recognized almost 200 business school graduates for creating lasting impacts in business and society. Each honoree has earned an undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degree from one of the more than 800 AACSB-accredited business schools worldwide. For more information on the Influential Leaders challenge, and to view a full list of honorees, visit aacsb.edu/influential-leaders.