Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

09/04/2026

As Pacific Palisades continues its long-term recovery, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School Interim Dean David Smith is offering insight into the economic momentum shaping the community’s rebuilding efforts.

In a recent CBS Los Angeles report with Kara Finnstrom, Smith highlighted the critical role that commercial anchors like Palisades Village can play in bringing businesses, residents, and the broader local economy back together.

With more than 1,000 property owners now beginning the rebuilding process, the community is at a pivotal moment. As Smith noted, the return of key commercial centers can create a ripple effect that supports both residential recovery and the revitalization of local businesses.

"It's amazing for our community to have that anchor," Smith said.

Read the full story:

As the Pacific Palisades community continues rebuilding following last year's fire, David Smith shared insight on the area's economic momentum in a feature by CBS Los Angeles's Kara Finnstrom.

08/28/2026

This year's Pepperdine Most Fundable Companies is proudly presented by the Singleton Foundation for Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship, founding sponsor of the Money Confidence Project, a nonprofit on a mission to make financial competence fun, engaging, and accessible to all, and to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The Singleton Foundation champions exactly what MFC celebrates: bold founders and financial empowerment. We're grateful to have them as our title sponsor!

The event is almost here! Join us to meet 2026's most investment ready startups and watch one advance toward a $1M global prize 🏆

🎟️ Last chance to register: pepperdine.edu/mfc
📅 September 23, 2026
🕐 In person 12–5 PM PT (Pepperdine Malibu Campus) | Virtual 12:30–4:30 PM PT

To learn more about the Most Fundable Companies program please contact Amy Wood, Craig Everett, or Clemens Kownatzki.

If you are a startup or early-stage company seeking funding, take part in our Most Fundable Companies survey to assess and improve your fundability.

08/07/2026

From graphic design to strategic leadership, Alejandro Villamil, MBA ’25, found his greater purpose at Pepperdine Graziadio.

Through the Part-Time MBA program, Alejandro gained the confidence and strategic perspective to step into leadership, mentor emerging talent, and make a greater impact in his field.

Read his story and discover how an MBA can turn career growth into purposeful leadership: https://bit.ly/45377yK

Discover how Alejandro Villamil leveraged a Pepperdine Part-Time MBA with a finance concentration to shift from graphic design to strategic leadership.

08/05/2026

This week, we’re highlighting Alejandro Villamil and his inspiring Graziadio journey.

From discovering his greater purpose to embracing opportunities for personal and professional growth, Alejandro’s story reflects what it means to lead with purpose, serve others, and make a lasting impact. His experience is a powerful reminder that growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone and staying open to where your journey can take you.

Read more about Alejandro’s journey: https://bit.ly/45377yK

08/03/2026

In a recent New York Times feature, Graziadio faculty member Cristel Russell discusses the consumer psychology behind media re-consumption, offering practical insights on why children crave narrative repetition and the structural elements that make stories irresistible.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4vSOF6K

07/31/2026

This weekend, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School welcomed Apellix Robotics to our Malibu campus for a live demonstration of its autonomous cleaning drone technology!
Attendees experienced the future of innovation firsthand through live cleaning demonstrations, hands-on drone flight experiences, and conversations about how AI and automation are transforming industries 🚀

The event featured insightful remarks from Bob Dahlstrom, Founder and CEO of Apellix, Lynda Palmer, Program Director of Pepperdine E2B™ (Education to Business), Professor Doreen Shanahan, PhD, Assistant Director of Marketing at Pepperdine Graziadio, and Online MBA student Breanna Rodriguez, who shared insights into her work on her E2B marketing consulting project with Apellix

We were especially proud to highlight Apellix as a past finalist in our Most Fundable Companies (MFC) program. A huge thank you to Amy, Clemens, and Craig for their incredible leadership of the MFC program and for making this impactful partnership between MFC and E2B™ possible

Thank you to Apellix Robotics and everyone involved for an engaging morning of experiential learning, innovation, and collaboration. 🚁✨

07/29/2026

This week, we’re excited to feature Marco, a current Master of Science in Business (MSB) student from Riverside, California, who was born and raised in Mexico.

As a Research Assistant and writer for The Beacon, Marco enjoys applying what he learns in the classroom to real-world issues through research and writing that informs, engages, and encourages critical thinking.

Marco chose Graziadio for its close knit learning environment and commitment to developing purpose-driven leaders who understand the broader impact businesses can have on society. One of his most memorable experiences was competing in an MBA case competition, where his MSB cohort developed and pitched an innovative business strategy for Bombardier and ultimately took home the win.

We’re proud to see Marco making waves both inside and outside the classroom!🌊

07/27/2026

In a recent Inside Retail feature, Graziadio faculty member Kimber Maderazzo discusses Glossier's heritage-driven marketing campaign, offering practical insights on why legacy beauty brands must evolve their messaging to match the changing skincare needs of an aging millennial consumer base.

Read more below: https://bit.ly/4vSP5dw

07/24/2026

Take a break from scrolling and enjoy a few moments of Malibu 🌊☀️

07/17/2026

Pepperdine Graziadio Marketing Professor Cristel Antonia Russell spoke with Inside Retail about strategic brand activations for the 2026 World Cup, explaining that companies must establish intuitive, authentic congruency and emotional resonance rather than relying on surface-level sponsorships.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4wNzs83