Dr. Walter Sowden

Biography

Walt Sowden is a Lecturer in Management Organizations at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. He teaches management, leadership, and negotiation across undergraduate (BBA), graduate (MBA), and executive education programs. His teaching is informed by decades of experience in military, academic, and research leadership, emphasizing the integration of behavioral science and organizational psychology to enhance both individual and organizational performance in complex, high-stakes environments. Retiring from the U.S. Army in 2024 after 28 years of active service, Sowden held various leadership positions and commanded Forward Support Companies during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has also served as a Tactical Officer at the United States Military Academy at West Point, teaching a capstone leadership course and contributing to the establishment of the Center for Army Profession and Ethic. As a Principal Investigator and Deputy Branch Chief at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, he led operational research teams that produced influential research on team dynamics and emotion regulation, significantly impacting the Army's Holistic Health and Fitness initiative. In his final military assignment, Sowden was the Director of Research in the Department of Behavioral Health at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, teaching medical residents and managing COVID-19 response efforts. He has held academic positions at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and the University of Hawai’i Mānoa, and is committed to enhancing leadership and performance for military personnel. Dr. Sowden has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications, chapters, and articles, focusing on the psychology of loyalty and moral decision-making in high-stakes occupational contexts.

Research Interests