Dr. Jianwen (Jon) Liao is an Associate Dean of Executive Education and Professor of Managerial Practice, Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. His professional experience spans across North America and Asia. Previously, he held academy appointments at PeKing University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and China European International Business School (CEIBS).

Professor Liao is well known for his cross disciplinary research in strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship. He has closely involved in the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics (PSED) – the first large scale, longitudinal research of nascent entrepreneurs and venture creation in the United States. He is the author of 30 scholarly articles published in journals including Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, Journal of Business Venturing, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, Journal of Small Business Management, Small Business Economics, and Journal of High Tech Management Research. His research paper was featured in The Small Business Economy: A Report to the President, 2007. He has won several awards for his research and teaching, including the research grant award from the US Small Business Administration (2007, 2008) and the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2009 at Stuart.

Professor Liao advises and speaks about strategy and innovation to major companies in China as well as MNCs China operation. His speaking and consulting clients include Ford, Agilent, NokiaSiemens Network, Alcatel-Lucent, Visteon, YiLi(伊利), CITIC (中信), HuaYi Brothers (华谊兄弟), LongHu Real Estate (龙湖地产), among others. Professor Liao is often featured in noted popular media including CNBC China, CCTV 9 and also frequently writes columns for 21th Century Business Review and PeKing University Business Review. An advisor to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, he also serves on the boards and advisory boards of several Chinese companies.

Professor Liao had early entrepreneurial experience in biotech industry and management consulting. He received his Ph.D from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, MA from People's University of China and BS from Northeastern University.