Dana Sumpter

Professor Dana Sumpter is an Associate Professor of Organization Theory and Management. Her research employs a cross-cultural lens in understanding social behavior at work, studying topics including energy, mindfulness, power, work/family systems, people management, and work relationships. She has published in numerous academic journals, including Journal of Applied Psychology, Academy of Management Perspectives, Journal of Management Studies, Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion, Human Resource Management, and Organizational Dynamics. Her recent award-winning international management case focused on a woman’s human resource management expatriate role in Oman. She is particularly passionate about qualitative research methods.

In addition, she amplifies her research through multiple media outlets. She has written several book chapters, as well as published in multiple practitioner outlets including Harvard Business Review and the Long Beach Business Journal. Professor Sumpter has had her research mentioned in media sources including The Atlantic, Grunion Gazette, and Business Management Daily. She has also been invited to speak on podcasts, tv/radio shows, and corporate events about her research on working mothers.

Dr. Sumpter's research has received grants from the Center for Innovation Research in Cultural Intelligence and Leadership, and UC Irvine’s Center for Organizational Research. She is a co-founder of the Mindfulness at Work micro-community of scholars, and is a member of the Positive Relationships at Work micro-community of scholars through the Positive Organizational Scholarship community.

In addition to her teaching and scholarship, Professor Sumpter enjoys consulting, giving presentations and talks, and running professional workshops. She gave a popular TEDx talk in 2018 titled "Don't Underestimate Working Mothers." Previously, she was a Vice President of Human Resources at Citigroup, based in New York and Singapore. Across 10 Asia-Pacific nations, Dr. Sumpter has led live executive training and coached executives on people management skills. She is an avid traveler, who has spent time in more than 30 countries, and counting!

Education

• PhD in Management

  • University of California, Irvine, Paul Merage School of Business

• MS in Human Resources and Industrial Relations

  • University of Illinois, School of Labor and Employment Relations

• BS in Liberal Arts/Industrial-Organizational Psychology

  • University of Illinois, College of Liberal Arts