Meet the New McDonough Faculty: Renee Kathawalla

We are pleased to welcome new faculty members to the Georgetown McDonough community this fall. 

In our Meet the New McDonough Faculty Series, learn more about the interests, specialties, experiences, and personalities behind the talented academics inside the Rafik B. Hariri Building on Georgetown’s campus. 

We spoke with Renee Kathawalla, visiting assistant professor of management, about what she hopes to accomplish at Georgetown through her engagement with students, research, classroom teachings, and beyond.

What are you most looking forward to when it comes to working at Georgetown McDonough?

I am most looking forward to getting to know the faculty, staff, and students, as well as teaching in person!

What institution or previous line of work are you coming from? 

I was a postdoctoral research fellow at the George Mason University School of Business.

What is your area(s) of expertise and which subject(s) are you most passionate about? 

I study the human dynamics of change, and I’m most passionate about how unconscious dynamics in groups, organizations, and systems shape the world we live in. I’m most interested in organizations that play an important role in our social and political systems, so contexts such as education, criminal justice, law enforcement, the military, health care, and the media.

What is your favorite quote and why? 

I’d have to say, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” My father always said this when I was growing up, so it’s deeply rooted in my general outlook on life. I’ve found it to be relevant in so many areas of life, and it’s also a good reminder to really examine what’s important to me.  

What is your favorite podcast or book and why? 

Action Science by Chris Argyris, Robert Putnam, and Diana McLain Smith. I love this book so much because I get new ideas every time I pick it up. It has so many practical tools for uncovering the deeper aspects of human behavior and understanding what really drives us to think and act the way we do.

How would you describe yourself in a few words? 

I am passionate, a deep and creative thinker, perceptive, and friendly.

What do you hope to ultimately bring to the McDonough community? 

I hope to bring my passion and curiosity to the McDonough community and I really look forward to engaging with and learning from conversations with students, faculty, and staff.