Helen Wu is the Executive Director of Global Partnerships and Operations at Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University. She is also a doctoral candidate in the Doctorate of Professional Practice program at Thunderbird, where her research examines artificial intelligence, imposter syndrome, and how these dynamics manifest across cultures.
In the Thunderbird Dean’s Office, Helen leads and supports a global network of 19 colleagues across Regional Centers spanning Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. These include Tokyo, Seoul, Jakarta, Dubai, Nairobi, Geneva, London, Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Washington DC, and Cairo. She serves as a strategic liaison between Thunderbird Global Headquarters and regional teams, strengthening alignment, collaboration, and locally grounded innovation.
Helen is recognized for leading cross functional, multi generational, and geographically dispersed teams with empathy, clarity, and follow through. Her work centers on operational excellence, process improvement, and inclusive culture building. She believes sustained results come from people first leadership and disciplined execution. She brings a systems level perspective to complex initiatives, connecting strategy to execution through thoughtful use of artificial intelligence, organizational design, and change leadership.
Helen was a key contributor to the launch of Thunderbird’s 100 Million Learners Global Initiative, helping establish the operational and partnership foundation for one of the largest global education efforts in the world. From 2019 to 2020, Helen led Thunderbird’s Career Management Center and Academic Advising team. During this period, student outcomes improved significantly, including an 86 percent increase in summer internship placements and a 78 percent increase in at graduation employment rates.
A trusted advisor and thought partner to senior leaders, executive committees, and governing boards, Helen supports initiatives related to global partnerships, organizational culture, and business transformation. Prior to joining Thunderbird, she worked at Soochow University Business School in Taiwan, where she supported AACSB accreditation and developed international academic partnerships.
Outside of work and research, Helen is an avid reader and NetGalley Top Reviewer, with more than 200 published reviews and an 80 percent feedback rate. She finds meaning in stories, reflection, and lifelong learning. She enjoys traveling, long conversations over good food, and spending time with her husband and two rescued dogs.
Core Values: Learning. Compassion. Humility. Superpowers. Resilience. Accountability. Courage.
