Pepperdine Graziadio Business School Dean Deborah Crown Honored as One of L.A.'s Most Prominent Business Leaders

LOS ANGELES, California – For the second year in a row, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School’s Dean Deborah Crown has been recognized as one of Los Angeles’ 500 most influential business leaders by being named to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s LA500 list. In addition to Dean Crown, Pepperdine University President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Gash received the prestigious honor of being on the 2024 LA500 list.

"Dean Crown's leadership is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence in education and the empowerment of future business leaders," said Stevan Calvillo, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School board chair. "Her strategic vision and dedication to immersive learning experiences have propelled Pepperdine Graziadio Business School to the forefront of innovation, preparing students to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape."

Crown came to Pepperdine in 2022 with nearly two decades of academic leadership experience, most recently serving as professor of management and dean of the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. Crown's work has been featured in national press publications such as the Wall Street Journal, CNN, ABC National News, the New York Times, USA Weekend, and Entrepreneur, as well as academic journals and books. She is also the recipient of a number of national awards for her research, as well as university and college awards for her teaching, mentoring, and service. Crown earned a bachelor of science in psychology from North Central College, a master of science in business administration from the University of Colorado at Denver, and a PhD from the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Under Crown’s leadership, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School has several highly ranked graduate business programs that immerse students in experience-driven learning and forward-thinking curricula.

According to the Los Angeles Business Journal, the LA500 list reflects a comprehensive process of research, reporting, and discernment that examined a community of millions and identified 500 people whose contributions merit inclusion on this exclusive annual list.

About Pepperdine University Graziadio Business School
For more than 50 years, the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School has challenged individuals to think boldly and drive meaningful change within their industries and communities. Dedicated to developing purpose-driven leaders, the Graziadio School offers a comprehensive range of BS, MBA, MS, executive, and doctoral degree programs grounded in integrity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The Graziadio School advances experiential learning through small classes with distinguished faculty that stimulate critical thinking and meaningful connection, inspiring students and working professionals to realize their greatest potential as values-centered leaders.

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