DEAN’S REPORT
ADMINISTRATION
VETERANS
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FROM
As we enter our 53rd year as a graduate business school, I am proud to reflect upon the various accolades and substantial growth we have achieved together over this past year. It goes without saying that the community at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School truly exemplifies Best for the World Leaders – acting with integrity and leading with purpose as each individual inspires future generations to shape business for the better.
Pepperdine Graziadio received national recognition by Fortune for #21 Best Executive Programs, U.S. News and World Report for #57 Best Part-Time MBA (climbing 16 spots from last year’s rankings), as well as being globally recognized as one of the top five DBA programs in the world by CEOWORLD Magazine.
We are proud that the Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Sports (IEMS) has successfully moved to be under the Graziadio umbrella, opening up business opportunities with renowned entertainment and media companies around the nation.
Continuing our efforts toward cultivating an inclusive environment, our community is committed to sharing the stories of our diverse members from heritage month events to the addition of student-driven clubs – ultimately showcasing the values, traditions, and backgrounds that make up Graziadio.
While standing as dean for nearly six truly incredible years, I am beyond grateful to have witnessed the countless transformational journeys of eager students into purpose-driven professionals as they continue their legacy within the world of business. Collaborating on a consistent basis with our faculty and staff at Pepperdine Graziadio has exponentially propelled our collective academic mission of developing world-class curriculum to meet the professional goals of our students.
Although I am saddened to step-aside as dean, I look forward to returning to campus as faculty and supporting the school as a lifelong community member. Deborah Crown will be assuming the role of dean for the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School this fall and I am excited to see the impact she makes on the school and vice versa.
Without further ado, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every individual who helped me uphold our mission and vision while acting as dean. Because of you all, Pepperdine Graziadio will always have a very special place in my heart.
Sincerely and farewell (for now), Deryck J van Rensburg Dean (2016 – 2022)
Driven by our mission of developing Best for the World Leaders, we strive to provide transformational, worldclass education grounded in leading-edge, experiential learning that is ethical in focus and global in orientation. Our inclusive, supportive network of purpose-driven professionals is committed to helping build sustainable businesses for a better world, impacting one student at a time. Steeped in Judeo-Christian values of purpose, service, and leadership, our community chooses to propel the future of business through a values-based curriculum – seeking the opportunity for all students to discover their purpose. At Pepperdine Graziadio, we are in the business of shaping the transformational leaders of tomorrow.
Inspired by our Christian values, we seek to:
Promote transformational learning, create applied knowledge, and equip our students to become Best for the World Leaders and entrepreneurs.
Global distinction in developing Best for the World Leaders.
TODAY, not tomorrow INTEGRITY always COURAGE with compassion PIONEERING spirit
Exemplifying the traits of a purpose-driven individual, Best for the World Leaders are visionaries that possess an eye for opportunity, identifying and catalyzing unseen business opportunities. The world consistently needs business leaders who are committed to making a positive impact and act on their calling in a unique way to effect change. We help students identify their path by prioritizing the infinite dignity of the individual. With an “open table concept”, we welcome everyone of all faiths and backgrounds as we continually cultivate a community that is dedicated to developing Best for the World Leaders.
with integrity, compassion, and a pioneering mindset
in socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible business practices
OUR MISSION IS MORE THAN A MOTTO – IT’S A WAY OF LIFE.
The Pepperdine Graziadio Business School embraces the diverse cultures and backgrounds represented amongst our community. Engrained with the values of inclusion and belonging, we are committed to providing a culture where every person, near or far, can feel accepted, acknowledged, and a part of a family. As we strive to understand the diverse perspectives of our community members, we are in turn creating a place of belonging, a place we all can call home.
The GDC strives to foster an inclusive environment for innovation, respect, and equal voices while celebrating the diverse backgrounds inherited school-wide. Working closely with the leadership team at Graziadio, the GDC identifies opportunities to showcase the community through a diverse lens within programs, future strategies, and organizational culture. Made up of staff and faculty members, we are proud of the GDC for highlighting what makes Graziadio unique and showcasing the many incredible cultures that form our community.
We are prideful of our long-standing partnerships with corporations that align with our mission’s values through their culture and operations. Through these valuable partnerships, employees receive numerous educational benefits including, discounted tuition, fast-track admission, waived application fees, and much more. In return, our corporate partners are given the unique opportunity to access a talent pool of purpose-driven individuals to join their organization post-graduation.
As we continue developing Best for the World Leaders, we are thrilled to welcome our newest corporate partners to our community and further share our mission across the globe.
“From an employer standpoint, we get to realize that benefits of the learnings that our employees gain through the Pepperdine Graziadio curriculum – where they can take our real-life challenges, tackle those in the classroom and bring back solutions to help us break down barriers and solve some of the situations we are dealing with.”
MARIA LANE CHRO • Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling
With excitement, we welcome the Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Sports (IEMS) to Pepperdine Graziadio. Through this introduction, students gain access to the expertise of top industry professionals within the media, entertainment, and sports sectors - developing a new generation of multidisciplinary graduates uniquely positioned to steward impactful, ethically-responsible leadership.
“For many years, the Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Sports has served as a hub in the entertainment capital of the world by connecting students, alumni, academics, and industry experts. We will continue to be a pathway for students universitywide to join the next generation of business-savvy leaders and creative entrepreneurs.”
Executive Director, Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Sports
IEMS inspires thought-leadership within the creative, business, and legal areas of media, entertainment, and sports through several initiatives, industry trends, and talent research. The institute creates new opportunities for the Pepperdine community to connect with peers and leaders in the field through student-executive mentoring, classroom interactions, events, and fellowship activities with student-led clubs across schools.
Founder, Music World Entertainment Adjunct Professor, Graziadio Business School
Founder & President, The Marian Dupree Group, Inc. Executive Professor, Graziadio Business School
Chief Strategy Officer, Cinedigm Adjunct Professor, Graziadio Business School
MACKENNA RADUNZ MSGB ‘21
“I reached out to Rebecca Warfield, CEO at Chicane Group and Global Head of Strategic Partnerships at Looped, after attending the IEMS webinar ‘Navigating an Uncertain Future in Content Distribution’ and secured an internship with her company the following spring! IEMS and the connections I made through it have helped me gain experiences and relationships within my dream industry.”
“It was an honor to represent Pepperdine University at the UCLA Game Day Sports Case Competition. The collaboration between Stefani Feldman and myself from the Graziadio Business School and Matte Landau, Matthew Hand, and Taylor Jennings from the Caruso School of Law created an excellent dynamic for a winning presentation. Thank you to the IEMS for bringing us all together and sponsoring the team.”
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Over the past year, we have presented new opportunities for students to gain exposure beyond the confines of the classroom to the international business market.
Through our Global Business Intensive courses and exchange programs with 30+ international partner universities, students acquire firsthand experience navigating challenges faced by the new world economy while working alongside peers, faculty mentors, and seasoned executives. Tasked with addressing these unique challenges, students broaden their cross-cultural understanding and become equipt to develop meaningful, action-oriented solutions.
2022
7 9 190
COUNTRIES CITIES STUDENTS
Contemporary Business Wisdom from the Cradle of the Renaissance
Doing Business in Latin America
Experiential Marketing: A Brand in Action
Global Luxury Branding Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the EU
Managing Global Business Operations in the Digital Economy Sustainable Business
The core of Pepperdine Graziadio’s top-tier business education is its distinguished faculty. Possessing a combination of extensive industry experience and advanced scholarship (the majority holding PhDs and DBAs), our faculty are recognized for their innovation in instruction and research, serving as inspirational practitioners, teachers, and mentors within the Graziadio community and beyond.
Scholarly Impact Award, 2021 Journal of Management
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CHARLA GRIFFY-BROWN
Fellow Award, 2021 PICMET (Portland International Conference on Management of Engineering and Technology)
Concluded Three-Year Guest Editorship, 2021 Academy of Management Discoveries
CRISTEL RUSSELL
Top 5 Reviewer Awards of the Year, 2022 Academy of Marketing Science
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award, 2021 Academy of Management’s Organization and Management Theory Division
Management Discoveries, Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, Human Relations, Journal of Advertising, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Operations Management, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Harvard Business Review,
Co-authored and published “Stock market reaction to global supply chain disruptions from the 2018 US government ban on ZTE” in the Journal of Operations Management
CLARK JOHNSON Co-authored and published “I thought my idea to use your idea was a great idea: Inadvertent plagiarism in marketing” in the Journal of Advertising
Co-authored and published “A mindful relating framework for understanding the trajectory of work relationships” in Personnel Psychology
Co-authored and published “Risky Business: Gig Workers and the Navigation of Ideal Worker Expectations During the COVID-19 Pandemic” in the Journal of Applied Psychology
Co-authored and published “Riding the Wave to Recovery: Relational Energy as an HR Managerial Resource for Employees during Crisis Recovery” in Human Resource Management
The diverse set of students at Pepperdine Graziadio are entrepreneurially driven individuals striving to make a positive impact, either within their current organization or through their own business venture. Our students see the possibilities in making a difference and feel compelled to build businesses that better serve the world. They join our community of changemakers to build and develop skills so they can leave their unique mark on others and this planet.
“It was an honor to work with Green Our Planet and their fantastic team towards the health and education of the next generation. It was a great practical application of being both strategic and client-facing. It encouraged me to think as a mission-driven leader.”
ALEXANDRA DEVOLITES //
Award Recipient •
‘22
Outstanding Online MBA
“Pepperdine Graziadio has pushed me to step outside of my comfort zone and challenged me to grow in a myriad of ways. At Nike, building relationships is fundamental to your career. It helps you understand processes, showcase and socialize your work, and create opportunities to move around within the organization.”
ROUMANN PANGILINAN
“From the very beginning of my program until my final day as a student, I tried to make the most out of my experience and apply a Yes Theory mentality to it where I said yes to just about every opportunity and experience that presented itself and pushed myself to step out of my comfort zone.”
“Being a mother, I include my son and even teach my son certain concepts, which helps me reinforce what I learned. I learned positive thinking; resilience is vital. At work and in school, I was my advocate. This is very important in your career and personal life to speak up. Know your value and ask for the resources you need!”
“The community of women at Graziadio including our faculty is filled with strong, intelligent, and ambitious women who inspire me daily and I will continue to have in my life for years to come. They remind me that we’re always stronger when we stand together.”
“Pepperdine Graziadio’s holistic focus on developing thoughtful business leaders is what drew me to this community. The SEER Certificate not only embodies my personal values but also showcases how we can utilize business to be a force for good in today’s society by positively contributing to our environment and community.”
At Pepperdine Graziadio, our mission goes beyond just supporting students in their pursuit of employment but developing them into purpose-driven contributors to organizations throughout their careers. Our focus on professional development expands an array of core competencies to effectively prepare our Best for the World Leaders for rewarding careers post-graduation.
Launched in 2005 to provide mentorship, leadership, and community building for students in the Full-Time MBA program, the Emerging Leaders Collaborative showcases exemplary individuals who act with integrity and lead with purpose in the Graziadio community. Currently, there are over 200 Emerging Leaders Collaborative “alumni” who actively provide ongoing mentorship and support to first-year students.
“As Emerging Leaders, we have the opportunity to play a significant role in the experience first year students have as they enter into business school and I want to use that opportunity to really shape the incoming class’ experience into something great.”
“Being elected as an Emerging Leader means I can play a pivotal role in developing business acumen for future MBA leaders or managers. I look forward to helping mentor the first-year MBAs to practice solution-based thinking through their journey at Pepperdine Graziadio.”
Since 2003, the Pepperdine E2B™ program has remained integral to Graziadio’s curricular offerings. It leverages partnerships with global powerhouses, regional brands, and startups to infuse a transformational, industry collaborative learning experiences into the curriculum of various graduate programs. The E2B program allows students to utilize concepts learned in the classroom and apply actionable solutions to current business challenges faced by organizations.
Client-based projects since inception
Of clients are very likely or likely to implement student recommendations
clients are interested in future projects
Of participants would reccomend participation in the Pepperdine E2B™ program to a business colleague
In cultivating Best for the World Leaders, the Education to Community (E2C) program pairs student teams with non-profit organizations to oversee projects focused on organizational and human capital development. Additionally, the program offers faculty-led instruction on sustainable organizational structure, talent management, team building, leadership development, and leading effective change.
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L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs) | Allentown, NJ Leadership Eastside | Seattle, WA
LUCY (Lifting Up Camden’s Youth) | Camden, NJ Playa Vista Jobs | Los Angeles, CA
The Right Kind of Black Girl | Los Angeles, CA Watts Labor Community Action Committee | Los Angeles, CA
Women’s Economic Ventures| Santa Barbara, CA
Women’s Crisis Support Team (WCST) | Grants Pass, OR
50/50 Leadership | Glendale, CA
The ASCAP Foundation | New York, NY
Brea Olinda Unified School District - Department of Child Services | Brea, CA
Destroy Duchenne | Norco, CA
The Santa Barbara Zoo | Santa Barbara, CA
The Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce | Yorba Linda, CA
The core of Pepperdine Graziadio’s mission is based on the principles of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – we call it values-centered leadership. CSR is woven into all aspects of a Graziadio education, including the curriculum, student club activities, campus events, and faculty research. Unique to Graziadio is our Socially, Environmentally, and Ethically Responsible (SEER) Business Strategy where students can learn and advance sustainable business practices based on the four macrovalues of our SEER mission – People, Planet, Profits, Product. Through SEER, we’re encouraging our students to lead with an ethical mindset and use the power of business for the greater good.
Nearly 150 SEER graduates within four programs (Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA, Master of Science in Global Business, Master of Science in Management and Leadership)
Client-based consulting project in Dr. Robert Bikel’s course helping Catalyst.cm, the social impact media site, explore options to broaden reach and audience
New courses: Responsible AI taught by Dr. John Mooney | Sustainable Marketing taught by Doreen Shanahan and Clark Johnson
Sustainability-focused Global Business Intensive in Costa Rica led by Kimber Maderazzo
Course development for Executive MBA program
Pepperdine Net Impact team took 2nd place at the 2021 Baylor Ethical Case Competition, hosted talks from Planet’s Chief Impact Officer Andrew Zolli, and participated in volunteer events including a paddle board ocean cleanup and a Habitat for Humanity house building
The Honest Company Case Competition hosted at Pepperdine University
With a focus on integrity, compassion, and leadership, our alumni continue their legacies as Best for the World Leaders and inspire generations through their career journeys. We are honored to recognize these alumni for their notable achievements within their industries.
MARTHA MOLINA BERNADETT, MD MBA ‘01, PKE 105
Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair, The Molina Foundation
Dr. Martha Molina Bernadett is a family physician and member of the founding family of Molina Healthcare, which for a time was the largest Hispanic-owned business in the U.S. Standing as the Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair of The Molina Foundation, Martha has focused on providing access to care to underserved or marginalized populations. She has enjoyed serving individuals and families directly as a family physician, indirectly by establishing policy and overseeing systems of care as a Medicaid health plan executive, and in the nonprofit sector addressing some of the root problems that lead to health disparities, namely access to education and healthcare.
Recently, she loaned her father’s medical bag and stethoscope to the Smithsonian, where it will be on display at the Molina Family Latino Gallery. Martha and her siblings funded the gallery which will be the home of the National Museum of the American Latino until the rest of the national museum is built. Martha says that many people including her husband, Faustino (Tino) Bernadett, and parents, the late C. David and Mary Molina have been influential in her success. She says former Pepperdine Graziadio Dean Otis Baskin, and professors Wayne Strom, Dave Hitchin, and Kurt Motamedi were particularly instrumental in her growth as a leader.
Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Kimberly-Clark
Zack Hicks joined Kimberly-Clark in the newly created role of chief digital and technology officer after 26 years of leadership at Toyota Motors North America and Toyota Motor Sales, USA. Within this role, Zack brings his experience in technology innovation, operations, and team leadership to help Kimberly-Clark leverage the full potential of technology to accelerate the company’s growth strategy.
At Toyota, Zack was a key technology leader who played a significant role in shaping the global automaker’s connected and mobility transformation initiatives. He held various titles and responsibilities within the organization, including chief executive officer and president of Toyota Connected North America (Toyota
Connected), chairman of Toyota Connected Europe, and executive vice president and chief digital officer of Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). At Toyota Connected North America, Zack led global efforts to accelerate the consumer experience by utilizing advanced technologies and predictive intelligence. In 2019, Zack was named an inductee to the CIO Hall of Fame, an honor CIO Magazine bestows to IT executives who have had a significant impact on the profession. He was also named one of Dallas Business Journal’s “Most Admired CEOs of 2018” and received the “2018 Leadership Excellence Award” from the Association for Information Systems. Zack was also awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Pepperdine in 2013.
From purpose-driven students to reputable business leaders, the transformation of our distinguished alumni demonstrates their natural inclination toward personal and professional achievement. These individuals look beyond themselves to aid in the personal growth of others – leaving a lasting impact. Our distinguished alumni are selected to speak at commencement ceremonies and annual events and act as mentors within our community.
“Life is not about counting your blessings when everything is going great – it’s about recognizing your blessings even when everything is going wrong.”
“Stay open to growth and change. Find new ways to pull away from the competition. Benchmark yourselves as industry leaders not industry followers.”
“It will be the small acts of courage that make your life that much richer. It will take all of our courage, together, that will make our entire world a little bit better.”
“This award is proof that unlimited possibility comes when joined with purpose. When we have faith in each other and support each other, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.”
“It is critically important to remain open-minded and curious, and your passion will evolve in so many wonderful ways. Once you have found it, lean in big – it will keep you energized and energize those around you.”
Established by George L. Graziadio Jr. in 1969, the Graziadio Business School board of directors assist in the creation of strategies and initiatives to further the school’s collective vision. Board members are selected based on their eminent professional achievement, interest in community enrichment, and demonstrated ability of advancing Pepperdine Graziadio’s mission of developing Best for the World Leaders.
Brandi Harleaux is an awardwinning CEO, notable keynote speaker, mentor and world changer, impacting people and the planet with extraordinary fortitude. With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, she is the CEO and secondgeneration owner of South Post
Oak Recycling Center (SPORC), Houston’s trusted metal recycling company. She is an innovative industry leader and speaker specializing in organizational transformation and sustainable success. As an entrepreneur, Brandi is passionate about the intersection of business and faith.
BRANDI HARLEAUX // MBA ’12 Chief Executive Officer South Post Oaks Recycling Center
Ike Kavas is the founder and CEO of Ephesoft, a leader in intelligent document processing focused on accelerating productivity with automation. He helps customers in 50 countries with his global team in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Ike’s entrepreneurial drive fuels
him as a passionate technology innovator, AI and machine learning advocate, speaker and customer-obsessed trailblazer. His mission is to leave a legacy by helping the next generation achieve their goals through entrepreneurship and being good citizens of the world.
Bala Sriraghavan is the founder and CEO of Datanetiix Solutions, Inc., where he has developed extensive expertise in business intelligence, strategic advising, and early-stage investing in addition to 23 years of technology experience in services, product development, product life cycle management,
digital application, and enterprise management. He leverages his passion for managing global teams and innovative technologies, navigating challenges, and overseeing cross-functional projects to deliver end-to-end business management, IT, and workforce solutions to customers.
Datanetiix Solutions, Inc.
IKE KAVAS
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ephesoft
FRANK CORNELL
JOSHUA TAUB ROBERT THOM PAUL WAGSTAFF CARMI ZLOTNIK STEVAN CALVILLO JOHN CANNITO MORGAN CHRISTENDERRICKS KEITH DORSEY PAUL DUTMERJOHN FIGUEROA
LOUIS GRAZIADIO III
RAYMOND HALL PAUL HAMILTONBRANDI HARLEAUX SINAN KANATSIZ IKE KAVAS
KERSCHERPATRICK KHOURY LARRY KOSMONT
DARREN LEE KIMBER MADERAZZO
TOM MAGNUSON MARK MILLER
POV: Fans cheering on their famous grads as they walk down the red carpet
Graziadio is all about #WavesWednesday Join in on the fun and show off your Pepperdine pride!
We’re taking it international this #WavesWednesday! @lovetiffanynco and @laurelast enjoying the views from the Philippines
FOR THE WORLD LEADERS