Some announcements deserve two stages. This one earned both.
Last week, ICSB introduced its 2026 Class of ICSB Fellows, first at the United States Congress during the ICSB-GW Day on Capitol Hill, and then before our global community at the ICSB Awards Gala at the George Washington University.
The class was formally proclaimed by Dr. Winslow Sargeant, Immediate Past Chair of ICSB and himself an ICSB Fellow, and confirmed by Dr. Ayman ElTarabishy, President and CEO of ICSB and an ICSB Fellow.
The ICSB Fellows designation is the highest honor our organization confers, and it is held for life. It recognizes individuals whose decades of leadership, service, scholarship, and achievement have shaped the fields of small business and entrepreneurship and strengthened the global mission of ICSB.
The 2026-2027 Class of ICSB Fellows:
Jeffrey Alves, Professor Emeritus at Wilkes University, former Dean of the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership, Past President of ICSB, and Founding Editor of the Journal of the International Council for Small Business. Across decades of academic and organizational leadership, he has made lasting contributions to entrepreneurship education, scholarship, and the global ICSB community.
Alex DeNoble, Professor Emeritus of Entrepreneurship at San Diego State University, former Executive Director of the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center, and a respected scholar and leader in entrepreneurship education and academic entrepreneurship. His career has been dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship research, developing future entrepreneurs.
Heidi Neck, Jeffry A. Timmons Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at Babson College and a globally recognized leader in entrepreneurship education. Through her scholarship, teaching, and leadership, she has helped transform how entrepreneurship is taught and practiced around the world.
Ruben Ascua, Rector of the Universidad Nacional de Rafaela, former President of ICSB, and a leading voice for entrepreneurship and MSME development in Latin America. His decades of academic and institutional leadership have strengthened entrepreneurship education, research, policy, and international collaboration across the region and throughout the ICSB global community.
Ambassador Martín García Moritán, distinguished Argentine diplomat, former Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations, and a central figure in the creation of UN MSMEs Day. Working alongside ICSB, Ambassador García Moritán carried the resolution that led to the establishment of June 27 as the United Nations International Day for MSMEs.
Rita Grant, Professor of Accounting at Grand Valley State University, longtime Treasurer and Secretary of ICSB, and a dedicated leader whose decades of service have helped strengthen the governance, continuity, and global mission of the organization.
To our 2026-2027 Class of ICSB Fellows: congratulations, and thank you. The honor is ours.