Hello everyone,
I'm reaching out to see if there are other military veterans in the IM division who would be interested in connecting during the conference and beyond.
My name is Christian Pierce, and I recently completed my PhD in Organization Studies and Cultural Theory at the University of St. Gallen (HSG) in Switzerland. My dissertation draws on qualitative methods to examine organizational culture, trust, hierarchy, and dignity through a case study of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). Before my academic career, I graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA) and served for over half a decade as a US Army officer, including deployments across the Middle East. I also serve on the Student Advisory Council for Student Veterans of America.
I've found that the veteran experience shapes how many of us approach questions of leadership, teams, and organizational life, often in ways that cross national and institutional boundaries. Whether you served in the US or another country's forces, I'd value the chance to exchange ideas with others who share that background.
If you're a veteran (or know colleagues in the division who are), please reply here or reach out directly. Whether you're presenting, attending sessions, or simply want to grab a coffee, it would be great to build some connections and perhaps organize an informal meetup.
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Christian Pierce
Doctoral Student
University of St. Gallen
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