Starting January 2025, Pegah Yaghmaie, Ph.D., will join the Adler University Industrial and Organizational Psychology programs in Vancouver as an associate professor.
With a strong background as a strategist, educator, researcher, entrepreneur, and consultant, Dr. Yaghmaie is bringing a fresh perspective to the program. Her field of research and teaching has focused on innovation management, leadership, team dynamics, organizational behaviour, and strategy. She has also worked and researched in various industries, including health care, life sciences, oil and gas, nano-electronics, education, food services, and business consulting.
Most recently, Dr. Yaghmaie served as chair of Capilano University’s School of Business, where she led academic initiatives, contributes to the Research Ethics Board, and represents faculty on the Board of Governors.
At Adler, she will play an instrumental role in designing new courses, engaging in faculty committees, supervising master’s students’ theses, participating in Ph.D. dissertation committees, and advancing interdisciplinary research at the intersection of business, leadership, and psychology.
“I was drawn to Adler University because ‘diversity’ and ‘equity’ are embedded in its values, not just buzzwords,” she said. “Adler challenges itself to continually evolve and become more inclusive, which resonates deeply with me. I am also inspired by the University’s commitment to educating students who are academically prepared and driven to make a lasting, positive impact on their communities.”
Adler University’s Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Industrial and Organizational Psychology (MIOP) programs are crafted to empower visionary professionals to redefine workplace cultures by advancing the science and practice of work psychology. Focusing on both individual and organizational health, both programs’ offer a dynamic curriculum that applies psychological principles to work environment to support employee well-being, promote engagement, and drive organizational effectiveness.
Raised by highly educated parents, Dr. Yaghmaie said there was never any question that she’d pursue her doctorate and potentially teach.
“My mother studied nursing, nursing education, and public health, so I remember her studying and doing scholarly work,” she said. “I followed in her footsteps and luckily, I found that I also enjoy and value the process of learning and the exploration of new ideas and avenues.”
And in her first few months at Adler — Dr. Yaghmaie joined as an adjunct faculty in September — she has seen the same drive from the students she has already met.
“I’ve had a chance to attend several events on campus in Vancouver, and what has impressed me most about the students is that they’re very engaged and active,” she said. “They are eager to learn and ask thoughtful questions, actively contributing to the learning environment. I’m excited to be a part of their educational journey at Adler and to help shape an experience that prepares them to make meaningful contributions in their careers.”
In addition to her previous role at Capilano University, where she led in program development and strategic direction, Dr. Yaghmaie is a published researcher with notable publications in Nature Nanotechnology and the EuroMed Journal of Business. Her research portfolio includes leadership, entrepreneurial capabilities, sustainable practices, and innovative ecosystems. She is also the founder and CEO of a business consulting company where she bridges academic research with practical strategies focused on leveraging diversity and strategic leadership to foster growth and innovation.
Dr. Yaghmaie started her Ph.D. at Concordia University in Montreal and later earned her Ph.D. in Business Strategy and Innovation Management from the University of Hasselt in Belgium.