Two students recognized for academic excellence, service, and leadership that strengthens the Goizueta community

Leadership at Goizueta Business School often takes shape through action—students who not only participate in the community, but actively strengthen it for others. This year’s recipients of the Roberto C. Goizueta Award for Leadership reflect that commitment in distinct but equally impactful ways.

Sean Walsh 26BBA and Divyansh (Div) Chauhan 26MBA have been named the 2026 recipients of the award, the school’s highest honor given to graduating students who exemplify academic excellence, service to community, and leadership grounded in integrity.

Established in 2019 by The Goizueta Foundation, the award honors the legacy of Roberto C. Goizueta and is presented annually to one student graduating from the school’s undergraduate Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program and one graduating MBA student. Recipients are selected based on six leadership criteria, including a love of learning, inspirational leadership, creative thinking, courage and commitment, transparency and trust, and excellence and integrity.

Each recipient receives a $25,000 prize and designates a Goizueta faculty or staff member who had a meaningful impact on their experience. The selected individuals each received a $5,000 honorarium.

“We are proud to support The Roberto C. Goizueta Award for Leadership,” says Olga Goizueta Rawls, board chair and chief executive officer of The Goizueta Foundation. “I congratulate Sean and Divyansh on receiving this honor and on their many meaningful contributions to the Goizueta Business School community and their peers. Today more than ever, business schools must prepare students to lead in an increasingly complex and evolving world. Sean and Divyansh exemplify the values that defined my father, Roberto C. Goizueta’s legacy—integrity, excellence, and a deep commitment to others—and demonstrate the leadership qualities needed to make a lasting impact.”

“At Goizueta, we are preparing principled leaders to have a meaningful impact on business and society,” says Gareth James, John H. Harland Dean of Goizueta Business School. “Students like Sean and Divyansh exemplify our values in action through their commitment to excellence, service, and leadership. We are grateful for our partnership with The Goizueta Foundation and their continued support in recognizing students who have made a lasting contribution to our community.”

Sean Walsh 26BBA

Sean Walsh has been selected as the undergraduate recipient in recognition of his exceptional academic achievement, sustained leadership within the school’s undergraduate Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program, and a values-driven approach that has strengthened the student experience across Goizueta.

Walsh graduates with a perfect 4.0 GPA across both Emory College and Goizueta, completing academic concentrations in accounting and finance. Faculty and staff consistently cited his intellectual curiosity, discipline, and ability to elevate classroom and peer-learning environments while maintaining humility and integrity.

Sean Walsh 26BBA

His leadership within the BBA community has been both expansive and deeply impactful. Walsh has held several of the School’s most demanding student leadership roles, including undergraduate chair of the Robson Program for Business, Public Policy, and Government, co-president of the Goizueta Finance Group, co-head coach of the BBA Career Management Center, and co-lead of the Sophomore Finance Academy. In each role, he focused not only on execution, but on improvement—helping to expand mentorship opportunities, strengthen preparation resources, and better position students navigating increasingly competitive recruiting landscapes.

That impact was reflected in the strength of his nominations. Walsh received support from faculty, staff, and students, and was the only undergraduate nominee to be recognized across all three groups—an indication of both the breadth of his contributions and the trust he has earned within the community.

Beyond campus, Walsh’s leadership is grounded in a long-standing commitment to service. He has volunteered for years at the Bashor Homeless Men’s Shelter, where he is known for his consistency, empathy, and genuine engagement with those he serves.

Following his graduation from Goizueta, Walsh will join Centerview Partners in New York as an investment banking analyst.

Faculty Honoree: Jeffrey Rosensweig

Walsh selected Jeff Rosensweig, associate professor of finance and director of The Robson Program, as his faculty honoree, citing his mentorship and commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students.

Jeff Rosensweig

“Dr. Rosensweig has been one of the most inspiring professors I have encountered at Emory,” says Walsh. “He consistently invites leaders at the top of their fields to speak with his students, creating incredible opportunities for us to engage directly with the forces shaping the world around us.”

Walsh also pointed to Rosensweig’s ongoing support and advocacy, noting his role as “a constant mentor and steadfast champion” throughout his time at Goizueta, as well as his efforts to connect students with transformative academic and professional experiences.

Divyansh (Div) Chauhan 26MBA

Div Chauhan has been named the graduate recipient of the 2026 award in recognition of his collaborative leadership, academic rigor, and sustained contributions to the Full-Time MBA community.

Divyansh (Div) Chauhan 26MBA

As Graduate Business Association president, Chauhan played a central role in student advocacy and community-building efforts across the program. His leadership has been described as principled, action-oriented, and focused on delivering tangible improvements to the student experience. Among his most notable contributions was his advocacy for enhancements to Emory’s graduate housing at The Ridge, helping ensure that the residential experience better aligned with student needs.

Chauhan’s selection was unanimous, standing out among a highly competitive pool of nominees. He was the only candidate to receive a co-submitted recommendation from five faculty members, alongside strong endorsements from students and staff—reflecting the depth and consistency of his impact.

Academically, Chauhan demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to learning, consistently exceeding program expectations. He completed 81 academic credits—well beyond the required 69—while participating in multiple global experiential modules, including study at IPADE Business School in Mexico and a module in South Africa. Faculty noted his intellectual engagement and his ability to contribute meaningfully to classroom discussions and peer learning.

Prior to Goizueta, Chauhan spent more than five years with Schlumberger, holding leadership roles across the United States, the Middle East, and Latin America. His experience managing complex operations and diverse teams informs a leadership style grounded in accountability, execution, and global perspective.

Following his graduation from Goizueta, he will join PwC Management Consulting in Houston.

Faculty Honoree: Renée Elaine Dye

Chauhan selected Renée Dye, associate professor in the practice of organization and management, as his faculty honoree, recognizing her impact as both an educator and mentor.

Renee Dye

“Professor Dye has had one of the deepest and most lasting impacts on my experience at Goizueta,” says Chauhan. “She brings real-world depth, judgment, and credibility into the classroom in a way that immediately stands out.”

He emphasized her ability to challenge students while fostering meaningful growth, noting that “she is the kind of professor who raises the standard for everyone in the room” and creates an environment that is both rigorous and engaging.

Chauhan also highlighted her influence beyond the classroom, from facilitating dynamic discussions and bringing in industry perspectives to helping students think critically about emerging topics like AI and its role in business.

Find out how Goizueta Business School is preparing principled leaders to have a positive influence on business and society.

Learn more about the meaningful work of The Goizueta Foundation.