Stiphan Beher

How has your Pepperdine experience impacted your personal and professional success?

My accounting degree from Pepperdine provided me with a foundation on which I have developed rigorous financial skills and a strong business acumen. I also have maintained a strong alumni network which has contributed to opening doors in the business arena.

Describe a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career:

I have had two accomplishments that are important. First as Advisor to the President of the Kyrgy Republic, I have secured projects totaling USD 170 Million in the past year and a half. This surpassed that of the Investment Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Economy and supports the sustainable economic development of the country. Secondly, in my tenure as CEO of the New Space start-up, SpaceTek, I have successfully entered in to key partnerships in the spheres of space manufacturing, microgravity research, and space tourism.

Who or what inspires you? Tell us why.

Elon Musk and Jeffrey Manber have both been inspiration. They have faced failure yet continue to open space to commercial enterprise.

Are you where you thought you would be in life when you were in college?

Life has been a rollercoaster. I expected that subsequent to graduation, I would be in a constant upward projectory.

In five words or fewer, what career or life advice would you give a new college graduate?

Take risks and embrace failure.

What profession other than your own would you have liked to attempt?

I always envisioned a career as a diplomat, bridging cultures and societies together.

What three things could you not live without?

God, family, and friends.

How do you unplug?

Being in Central Asia, when I go to the regional Provences, I appreciate what we take for granted and tend to enjoy the isolation from lack of technology.

Is there a particular quote, mantra, or philosophy that motivates you?

"Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." - Winston Churchill

What would your autobiography or memoir be called?

Success by Failure.

What's one idea you think could change the world?

Space Tourism.

What's next for you professionally?

A political career.