The first woman to head up one of higher ed’s top-ranked accountancy departments is now the first woman to hold the title of dean of the UI’s Gies College of Business, living proof that “anyone that is part of our community can accomplish what they set out to accomplish,” Brooke Elliott says.
A Hoosier State native — she’s Bedford, Ind.-raised with a pair of degrees from Indiana’s Kelley School of Business — Elliott has been on the fast track since arriving in C-U in 2003, serving as executive associate dean, then associate dean, then departing dean Jeff Brown’s preferred successor upon his retirement.
Following a national search, her promotion was made official over the summer, with Provost John Coleman calling the “empathetic, transparent and collaborative leader” the “clear choice” to become Gies’ 11th dean. (Unofficially, she’s also believed to be the first dean to sport stylish Illini orange Air Jordan high-tops to her campus photo shoot).
In November 2024, the mother of two and Josef and Margot Lakonishok Professor in Business took park in The News-Gazette's weekly "Beyond the Boardroom" feature, spotlighting leaders of organizations big and small.
My one unbreakable rule of the workplace is … assume the best of each other.
My philosophy on meetings is ... most meetings don’t need to be meetings. Keep it focused and walk away with an action.
If I could trade places for a week with any other business person in town, I wouldn’t mind switching with … Dr. Sara James, head of spine and pain management at Christie.
I’m assuming I get her expertise and skills for the day. I would love to see what it is like to work in another fast-faced, high-pressure field that requires deep and technical expertise.
The hardest thing about being a leader is … it’s lonely sometimes.
My single favorite moment so far in this job was … my recent installation and investiture. To see our students, faculty, staff, alums and my friends and family show up with such enthusiasm for our purpose at Gies was awesome.
I can’t live without my ... (Ford F-150) Raptor. I really love my truck.
The three adjectives I hope my staff would use to describe me are … bold, empathetic and transparent.
On my office walls, you’ll find … a cartoon of a baseball pitcher that my grandfather drew and “GIES BUSINESS” in really big orange letters.
My professional role model is ... Joe White, former Michigan Ross dean and University of Illinois president. He is a thoughtful and wise leader who has the respect of individuals from all disciplines and all walks of life.
The single-most important question I ask job candidates during interviews is … why Gies?
The first thing I do when I get to work most days is … make tea.
When it comes to lunch … eating lunch is an inefficient use of the most productive hour of the day because I can actually get caught up on email.
I wind down after work by … hanging out with my kids and puppy.
The last luxury in which I indulged was ... a trip to New York with my family to see “Hamilton” and a Yankees playoff game.
The last good book I read was … “Legacy,” by James Kerr.
I’m up and at ’em every day by … 5:30 a.m.
My exercise routine consists of … Olympic lifting and cardio at 6 a.m. four days a week with three of my best friends.
The first job I ever had was … mowing yards. I was 14. I eventually learned how to back a trailer up loaded with my mowing equipment, driving a manual S-10 truck — great life skills.
