Helen Wu

Helen Wu is the Executive Director of Global Partnerships and Operations at Thunderbird School of Global Management and the University Fellow for Taiwan Initiatives in the Office of the Provost at Arizona State University.

In her role at the Thunderbird Dean’s Office, Helen leads and supports a global network of 19 colleagues across Regional Centers, including Tokyo, Seoul, Jakarta, Dubai, Nairobi, Geneva, London, Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Washington DC, Cairo, and more. She serves as a strategic liaison between Thunderbird Global Headquarters and these Regional Centers—driving alignment, collaboration, and innovation across regions.

Helen is skilled in leading cross-functional, multi-generational, and geographically dispersed teams with a leadership philosophy rooted in empathy, clarity, and action. Her focus areas include operational excellence, process efficiency, and inclusive culture-building—always with an eye on delivering results through people-first practices.

She brings a unique ability to connect the dots across initiatives and functions, leveraging artificial intelligence, systems thinking, and a resilient mindset to implement change and amplify impact. Helen was a key contributor to the launch of Thunderbird’s landmark 100 Million Learners Global Initiative, helping build the foundation for what is now one of the most ambitious global education efforts in the world.

From 2019 to 2020, Helen led Thunderbird’s Career Management Center and Academic Advising team. Under her leadership, the school saw a transformational boost in student outcomes:

• 86% increase in summer internship placements
• 78% increase in at-graduation employment rates

A trusted advisor and thought partner to senior leaders and cross-departmental colleagues, Helen has also supported executive committees and governing boards on initiatives related to business transformation, organizational culture, and global partnerships. Prior to joining Thunderbird, she worked at Soochow University Business School Dean’s Office and Study Abroad Office in Taiwan, where she supported AACSB accreditation and built international academic partnerships.

Helen is currently a doctoral candidate in the Doctorate of Professional Practice program at Thunderbird School of Global Management (ASU), where her research focuses on artificial intelligence, women’s imposter syndrome, and how these dynamics play out across cultures.

Outside of work, Helen enjoys spending time with her husband and two rescued dogs. She is passionate about quality education, gender equity, and global inclusion—and always up for a great meal, a good laugh, a long flight somewhere new, or getting lost in a good book.

Core Values: #Learning #Compassion #Humility
Superpowers: #Resilience #Accountability #Courage