Derek Lidow honored with the Academy of Management’s Distinguished Educator Award

Derek Lidow—author, entrepreneur, founder, and dedicated educator—has been awarded the Academy of Management’s (AOM) 2025 Career Achievement Award for Distinguished Educator. This prestigious honor is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in mentoring doctoral students, classroom teaching, pedagogical innovation, and the dissemination of new teaching methods and designs.

Lidow, Keller’s Entrepreneurial Specialist and Professor of the Practice, has developed four original courses at Princeton, two of which have received the AOM’s Innovation in Pedagogy Award. Educators around the globe have adopted his student-centered approach and interdisciplinary curriculum. His courses, such as History of Entrepreneurship and Creativity, Innovation, and Design, are now taught at institutions worldwide, influencing syllabi and pedagogy far beyond Princeton.

Lidow’s scholarly impact is equally broad. He is the author of three award-winning books—which have been translated into Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic, and Spanish—and his most recent work, The Entrepreneurs, was shortlisted in 2023 for the AOM’s prestigious George R. Terry Award, recognizing the top international management books published in the previous two years. In addition, he has published nearly 100 articles, more than 50 of them as the leadership columnist for Forbes Magazine. Harvard Business Press has reprinted his article, “A Better Way to Set Strategic Priorities,” in three of its Essential Reading Anthologies.

The award also recognizes the profound influence Lidow has had on his students. Input from former students—submitted anonymously—was a critical factor in the award’s consideration. Notably, while the award typically goes to faculty who have supervised Ph.D. candidates, Lidow has made a significant impact on the careers of his undergraduate students at Princeton, a university without a business school. His ability to inspire and mentor students at all levels was central to his selection for this honor.

Throughout his tenure, Lidow has consistently designed rigorous, forward-thinking courses at the intersection of liberal arts, design, innovation, and entrepreneurship. His passion for interdisciplinary learning is reflected not only in his teaching but also in his efforts to open new fields of inquiry, such as the Princeton Kaufman Conference on Ethnography and Entrepreneurship, which he organized in 2017 to convene scholars exploring these dynamic intersections.

“Lidow’s impressive body of work—including his award-winning books, extensive publications, and his mentorship of students and faculty alike—truly sets him apart,” said Keller Executive Director Cornelia Huellstrunk. “He exemplifies the spirit of this award as a champion of education, innovation, and entrepreneurship at Princeton and beyond. We congratulate him and celebrate the inspiration he continues to bring to our academic community.”

“Derek Lidow has been instrumental in defining and shaping the educational entrepreneurship landscape at Princeton. His vision, dedication, and ability to bring bold ideas to life have inspired countless students. This award is well deserved,” added Sigrid Adriaenssens, Director of the Keller Center.

“I feel luck has played a key role in my achieving this recognition,” said Lidow. “I was fortunate to have the right credentials at the right time to be invited to teach at Princeton, and even more fortunate to be appointed within the Keller Center for Innovation in Engineering Education. There, I’ve had the privilege of teaching eager students from across campus about entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation.”

Lidow emphasizes that the impact of his work is amplified by the collaborative spirit of the Keller Center and the broader University.

“The world needs what all of us have to offer,” he said. “Our work is essential, and we must continue innovating and collaborating with diligence. I feel lucky to be part of this great effort—and humbled to receive this recognition.”

View the award presentation and Lidow’s acceptance speech on the AOM’s website.