Skyler Clark-Hamel - Meet the Students - Ph.D.

Skyler Clark-Hamel (Darden MBA '23) has cultivated a distinctive path that bridges the worlds of academia and industry, with a rich background in the music and entertainment sectors and a deep focus on stakeholder theory and creativity. His professional journey began as a musical artist and entrepreneur, and later as a music agent at William Morris Endeavor (WME), where he innovated in the gospel and Christian music markets. This extensive industry experience has provided a unique lens through which Skyler now examines the intersection of stakeholder theory, creative industries, and artificial intelligence.

Currently, as a doctoral student at Darden, Skyler collaborates with leading faculty, including Dr. R. Edward Freeman and Dr. Bidhan (Bobby) Parmar. His work focuses on how creativity and dissonance contribute to value creation within stakeholder management, as well as exploring global perspectives on stakeholder capitalism. Skyler’s research has been presented at prestigious conferences such as the Society for Business Ethics and ACEDE, and he is actively preparing manuscripts for top academic journals, including a forthcoming chapter in the Handbook of Social Entrepreneurship.

Skyler’s passion for teaching and mentoring is evident through his roles in courses like "Leadership & Theatre: Ethics, Innovation, & Creativity" and as a mentor to students both at Darden and Berklee College of Music. These experiences have reinforced his commitment to fostering ethical leadership and innovative thinking in the next generation of business leaders.

Reflecting on his time at Darden, Skyler values the school's emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and practical application of research. He believes that the integration of creative problem-solving and stakeholder engagement is essential to navigating the complexities of modern business environments. As he continues his academic journey, Skyler is dedicated to advancing understanding in how industries, particularly those in the creative sectors, can harness stakeholder theory to drive sustainable and ethical growth.

Skyler lives in Charlottesville, where he continues to enjoy making music with friends, cooking meals with his fiancée (and their cat, Maestro), and visiting New England and Switzerland whenever possible.

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