Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds, DBA — The Dean of Fashion™

From the classroom to the runway, Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds has led with purpose for over 20 years. Beginning as a special education teacher and later shaping talent and culture as Human Resources lead at Neiman Marcus Atlanta, he blends strategy, vision, and humanity. As Academic Program Director at The Art Institute of Atlanta, he launched the first BFA in Fashion Design, secured full SACS accreditation, and designed curricula merging creativity with workforce innovation, earning national recognition for contributions to Obama-era skill-building initiatives.

Today, Dr. Hammonds is a professor of business and human resources at Capella University and Georgia Military College. Through his boutique consulting firm, CAH & Co., he advises brands, nonprofits, and organizations on talent engagement, storytelling, and strategic growth.

Known as The Dean of Fashion™, he serves as a global mentor and ambassador—guiding emerging designers through Startupbootcamp FashionTech in Milan, hosting the Miss Universe St. Lucia Pageant, and curating initiatives across Europe and the Caribbean as Fashion Ambassador for the St. Lucia Fashion Council.

As Senior Fashion Editor at Upscale Magazine and contributor to InStyle, WWD, GQ, NPR, CBS, and FOX, Dr. Hammonds shapes the global fashion conversation. He has collaborated with André Leon Talley, Mimi Plange, EMME, Mychael Knight, Clare Waight Keller, Tim Gunn, Nicolas Ghesquière, and more—elevating fashion beyond trends into cultural storytelling and advocacy.

With a Doctor of Business Administration, MBA, and B.S. in Education, his work fuses academic rigor with creative vision. Recognized with the Stephen Shank Award for Teaching Excellence, the President’s Volunteer Service Award, Alabama State University’s 50 Under 50, and “Man of Style” by Modern Luxury Atlanta, Dr. Hammonds drives impact through innovation, excellence, and empowerment.

Whether guiding designers, students, or brands, his platform is a space for transformation, inspiration, and meaningful global influence.