Dr. Sampson is Associate Professor of Logistics, Business and Public Policy at the Smith School of Business, University of Maryland. She is also a Visiting Scholar at the ESG Analytics Lab at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a Senior Policy Scholar at Georgetown University’s Center for Business and Public Policy.
Rachelle’s research focuses on how organization structure and ownership forms influence firm investment time horizons and R&D productivity. Her recent work exposes rising short-termism in US firms and capital markets, outlining implications for firm productivity and growth, the changing nature of R&D within firms, as well as environmental impact. Rachelle has a particular interest in the impact of sustainability practices and environmental performance on employee engagement and productivity, as well as how this translates into long-term financial performance. She has ongoing research on the impact of consciousness-expanding experiences on leadership decision-making and systems change within organizations.
Rachelle also serves on advisory boards for firms seeking to integrate environmental and social issues into firm strategy. Prior to her academic career, Rachelle worked as a consultant for Ernst and Young and as a corporate attorney. She holds a PhD in business economics from the University of Michigan and law and accounting degrees from Queensland University of Technology, Australia.