Marian Salzman Named Executive in Residence for Strategic Foresight at the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management
Global business executive and recognized trend forecaster to help Eller build a first-of-its-kind capability in anticipatory leadership beginning fall semester 2026
The University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management today announced the appointment of globally recognized trend forecaster and business leader Marian Salzman as Executive in Residence for Strategic Foresight, effective fall 2026. Salzman currently serves as SVP, Corporate Development and Senior Advisor to the U.S. CEO of Philip Morris International’s U.S. business (PMI U.S.). Salzman is a veteran global marketing and communications leader and is recognized as one of the world’s most influential trend forecasters. In this role, Salzman will launch the Eller Strategic Foresight Initiative, a scalable platform designed to make anticipatory thinking a part of an Eller experience and build upon Eller’s reputation as a business school known for preparing proactive leaders who can anticipate change rather than reactive leaders who simply respond to it. Salzman will continue in her full-time role with PMI U.S. during her tenure as Eller’s Executive in Residence.
The operating environment for business is being reshaped by technological, demographic, and societal shifts that are faster, more interconnected, and less predictable than ever before. Strategic foresight, the discipline of recognizing early signals of change, interpreting complex cross-industry developments, and making decisions before trends become obvious, is not yet widely or systematically taught in business education. Through Salzman’s appointment and the concurrent launch of the Eller Strategic Foresight Initiative, Eller College aims to lead in this emerging space and differentiate itself around anticipatory leadership.
A Voice for What Comes Next
“Marian has four decades of experience in helping some of the world’s leading organizations see around corners,” said Karthik Kannan, Dean of the Eller College of Management and Halle Chair in Leadership. “Bringing that rare talent onto our campus and into our classrooms gives our students, faculty, and alumni a living model of how to turn weak signals into smart strategy. She embodies exactly the kind of leader we want our students to learn from and ultimately, become.”
“Great leaders don’t just react to the future—they help write it,” said Salzman. “I’m thrilled to work alongside Eller’s students and faculty to make foresight a practical, teachable discipline, while continuing in my leadership position at PMI U.S. My goal is simple: to help the next generation of leaders spot what’s coming, stress-test their assumptions, and act with confidence before the rest of the market catches on. After nearly a decade with PMI spent commuting between Lausanne, Switzerland (our operating center), Stamford, Connecticut (our global headquarters), and Southern Arizona (where my family is primarily based), I couldn’t be prouder to give back by contributing to a community that is helping shape the future of leadership.”
The Eller Executive in Residence program serves to positively influence students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the Eller College. Each year, this role is bestowed on a respected leader in the industry.
“The Executive-in-Residence program has been a vital bridge between academic work and the business world, bringing high-level executives to impact our students, faculty, and broader Eller community,” said Anastasiya Ghosh, associate dean of partnerships. “I am excited to welcome Marian Salzman to this role.”
The Strategic Foresight Initiative
Serving in an Executive-in-Residence capacity, Salzman will visit campus several times each year and convene conversations about the forces shaping business and society. Salzman’s appointment anchors the launch of the Eller Strategic Foresight Initiative, a scalable platform designed to make anticipatory thinking a part of an Eller education.
Her work will build a visible, practical bridge between foresight theory and real-world application, including: mentoring a select group of student Fellows in trend analysis, scenario thinking, and strategic decision-making; engaging faculty in dialogue on embedding foresight into curricula across disciplines; convening executives and alums in Strategic Insights Forum to connect academic insight with frontline business practice;producing Strategic Insights Briefs, publications that translate emerging signals into actionable business strategies; and supporting partnership development that strengthens Eller’s ties to industry, entrepreneurship, and the broader community.
To learn more about the Eller Partnerships Office click here