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Pepperdine | Graziadio Business School
Bernice Ledbetter Practitioner Lecturer of Organizational Theory and Management

Bernice Ledbetter, EdD

Practitioner of Organization Theory and Management
Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs
Director of the Center for Women in Leadership
Graziadio Business School
310.568.5712
Curriculum Vitae

Biography

Dr. Bernice Ledbetter serves as dean of students and alumni affairs at the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School; she is the founding director of the Center for Women in Leadership (CWL) and serves as practitioner faculty of organizational theory and practice, where she teaches graduate-level courses in leadership across a range of leadership topics. She is an award-winning teacher and recipient of the “2019 TrailBlazer Award” from Leadership California, the Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence, and the George Award for Outstanding Faculty Member.

Dr. Ledbetter's professional background includes serving as a vice president at Right Management Consultants, an internationally known career transition and organizational consulting firm, and co-founding the De Pree Leadership Center dedicated to promoting values-based leadership.

Dr. Ledbetter is an active member of the International Leadership Association and regularly presents research at academic conferences. She has authored several articles and book chapters and co-authored the book, Reviewing Leadership: A Christian Evaluation of Current Approaches. 

Her most recent book chapter (2020) “Women in leadership in Uganda” appears in Women in Leadership and Work-Family Integration, Volume Three: A Global Perspective. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, edited by Margaret Weber and Kerri Cissna-Heath.

Her article “A Values Approach to Advancing Women in Leadership: Using Talent Management to Change the Equation” appeared in the Graziadio Business Review; her recent article, “Business Leadership for Peace,” appears in the International Journal of Public Leadership. Dr. Ledbetter regularly presents research at academic conferences and is often quoted in news outlets. She served as a contributor on the Huffington Post Blog and has been featured in the Los Angeles Times and LA Business Journal. She is a frequent keynote speaker on advancing women in leadership to international audiences, industry groups, and large organizations, including Fortune 500. 

Education

  • Pepperdine University, Doctor of Education

  • Fuller Theological Seminary, Master of Divinity

  • California State University, Bachelor of Science

 

Research

  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2012). PRJ Dialectics of Leadership for Peace: Toward Moral Resistance as a Path to Peace. Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics, 9(5), 11-24.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2015). LA Business Journal Quote Good Intentions: B Corporations Say Socially Conscious Designation Helps Them Connect With Top Talent, Millennials (vol. November 30, 2015). Los Angeles, CA: Los Angeles Business Journal.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. Women in Oman: Leadership Style Preferences in the Context of Peace. Gender in Management: An International Journal. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journal/gm
  • Ledbetter, B. L., Banks, R., Greenhalgh, D. (2016). Book Reviewing Leadership: A Christian Evaluation of Current Approaches. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2008). Entry Global Perspectives on Laity (pp. 463-465). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Awards

  • Trailblazer Award, Leadership California, 2019
  • Nominee John Nicks Service Award, PGBS. (February 2017).
  • "Above and Beyond" Faculty Award, PGBS Alumni Network Leadership Council. (July 22, 2016).
  • George Award, Graziadio Board (April 8, 2016).
  • Nominee John Nicks Service Award, PGBS. (February 2016).
  • Waves of Innovation, Office of the President. (February 7, 2015).
  • Nominee John Nicks Service Award, PGBS. (January 2015).
  • Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence, (2014).

Presentations

  • Lacey, M. Y. (Presenter & Author), Tompkins, T. C., Livingstone, L. A., Ledbetter, B. L., Allen, M., Mallinger, M. A., Mangiofico, G. L., Feyerherm, A. E., Narrow Streets, Open Minds, "OB/HR Symposium: A Leadership Salon: Reframing Old Concepts for a New Age," Western Academy of Management, Santa Fe, NM. (March 15, 2013).
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (Presenter Only), Jasso, S. D. (Presenter Only), Faculty Forum, "Moral Progress and the Occupy Movement: Contradictions or Affirmation," GSBM, West Los Angeles. (November 13, 2012).
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (Presenter & Author), Jasso, S. D. (Presenter Only), Salyards, W. (Presenter Only), International Leadership Association, "The Occupy Movement, Leadership Complexities and the Great Divide between the 99% and the 1%.," International Leadership Association, Denver, CO. (October 26, 2012).
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (Presenter & Author), International Leadership Association 2011, "The Dialects of Leadership for Peace: Toward a Moral Model of Resistance as the Path to Peace," ILA, London, UK. (November 28, 2011).
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (Presenter & Author), Eastern University, "Reviewing Leadership: Historical Trends and Present Concerns," Eastern University, St. Davids, PA. (September 14, 2011).
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (Presenter & Author), Feyerherm, A. E. (Presenter Only), Egan, T. D. (Presenter Only), Jue, A. (Presenter Only), Kolbe, K. (Presenter Only), Academy of Management, "Models & Cases: Integral Approaches to Balance and Transcendence," AOM, San Antonio, TX. (August 15, 2011).
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (Presenter & Author), International Leadership Association, "High-Speed Trust: Can Gen Y Meet the Challenge of Leadership 2.0?," International Leadership Association, Boston, MA. (October 29, 2010).
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (Presenter Only), Faculty Conference, "Teaching Ethics," Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA. (October 8, 2010).
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (Presenter & Author), Academy of Management; All, "Compassion Organizing Competence: A Case Study Analysis of the Masangane Treatment Program in Matatiele, South Africa," Academy of Management, Montreal, Canada. (August 8, 2010).
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (Presenter & Author), International Leadership Association, "Engendering Adaptive Work," International Leadership Association, Prague, Czech Republic. (November 12, 2009).
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (Presenter & Author), Association for Practical & Professional Ethics Annual Conference, "Ethical Values of Women Leaders: Benevolence & Achievement," Association for Practical & Professional Ethics, Cincinnati, OH. (March 6, 2009).
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (Presenter & Author), International Leadership Association, "The Courage to Lead: Leadership Themes in Scott Joplin's Opera Treemonisha," International Leadership Association, Los Angeles, CA. (November 14, 2008).
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (Presenter & Author), International Society of Business, Economics and Ethics World Congress, "Compassion Organizing Competence: A Case Study Analysis of the Masangane Program in South Africa," International Society of Business, Economics and Ethics World Congress, Cape Twon, South Africa. (July 16, 2008).
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (Presenter & Author), International Leadership Association, "Interpreting the Impact, Culture, and Sustainability of Leadership: Implications for Leadership Education and Development," International Leadership Association, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (November 13, 2007).
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (Presenter & Author), Society of Business Ethics, "An Interdisciplinary Approach to Values and Leadership," Society of Business Ethics, Philadelphia, PA. (August 6, 2007).
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (Presenter Only), Western Academy of Management, "Symphony," Western Academy of Management, Long Beach, CA. (March 26, 2006).
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (Presenter & Author), Western Organizational Management Teaching Conference, "Leveraging Group Projects for Organizational Benefit: The Triple Bottom-line Approach for Team Project Assignments," Western Organizational Management Teaching Conference, La Verne, CA. (February 11, 2006).
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (Presenter & Author), International Leadership Association, "Leading Through Shared Values," International Leadership Association, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. (November 12, 2005).

Media

  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2014). PRJ A Values Approach to Advancing Women in Leadership Using Talent Management to Change the Equation. Graziadio Business Review/ Pepperdine Univeristy, 17(3), http://gbr.pepperdine.edu/2014/12/a-values-approach-to-advancing-women-in-leadership/.
  • Ledbetter, B. L., Banks, R., Greenhaulgh, D. (2017). Does Spirituality Make a Difference in Leadership? Graziadio Business Review, 20(3). https://gbr.pepperdine.edu/
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2016). HP Blog The Benefits of Gratitude: Why Saying Thank You Matters. Huffington Post Business Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/5-ways-to-seize-a-new-opp_b_9041914.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2016). HP Blog Are you a Queen Bee or a Virtuous Woman. Huffington Post Business Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/5-ways-to-seize-a-new-opp_b_9041914.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2016). HP Blog Here's What You're Doing Right. Huffington Post Business Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/5-ways-to-seize-a-new-opp_b_9041914.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2016). HP Blog Transparency is Key in Ensuring Gender Pay Equity. Huffington Post Business Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/5-ways-to-seize-a-new-opp_b_9041914.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2016). HP Blog The Business Case for Advancing Women on Boards. Huffington Post Business Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/5-ways-to-seize-a-new-opp_b_9041914.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2016). HP Blog Bringing Gender Parity to Hollywood One Step at a Time. Huffington Post Business Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/5-ways-to-seize-a-new-opp_b_9041914.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2016). HP Blog 5 Ways to Seize a New Opportunity With Confidence. Huffington Post Business Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/5-ways-to-seize-a-new-opp_b_9041914.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2015). HP Blog Feeling Stuck? Ask Yourself am I Liked or Respected? Huffington Post Business Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/feeling-stuck-ask-yoursel_b_8763304.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2015). HP Blog How Women Can Approach Their End-of-Year Review With Confidence. Huffington Post Business Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/how-women-can-approach-their-end-of-year-review-with-confidence_b_8524610.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2015). HP Blog Its Not rocket Science to Advance Women in the Workplace. Huffington Post Business Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/its-not-rocket-science-to_b_8235526.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2015). HP Blog The World Should Follow California's Lead in Ensuring Equal Pay. Huffington Post Business Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/the-world-should-follow-c_b_8068222.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2015). HP Blog 5 Ways Women Can Develop Leadership Skills. Huffington Post Business Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/why-women-are-the-new-mvps_b_7284770.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2015). HP Blog Why Women are the New MVPs. Huffington Post Business Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/why-women-are-the-new-mvps_b_7284770.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2015). HP Blog Why Ellen Pao's Case Can Be Seen as a Win for Women. Huffington Post Business Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/why-ellen-paos-case-can-be-seen-as-a-win-for-women_b_6982416.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2015). HP Blog 4 Ways to Deal with a Male-Dominated Work Culture. Huffington Post Business Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/4-ways-to-deal-with-a-male-dominated-work-culture_b_6794406.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2014). HP Blog 4 Ways Managers Can Spread Holiday Cheer Without Spending a Dime. Huffington Post Business Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/4-ways-managers-can-sprea_b_6309864.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2014). HP Blog 6 Leadership Myths ad Realities. Huffington Post Business Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/6-leadership-myths-and-realities_b_6135628.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2014). HP Blog Want to Move up the Corporate Ladder? You Need a Career Map. Huffington Post, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/want-to-move-up-the-corpo_1_b_5960286.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2014). HP Blog Despite Regional Differences, Women Across the Globe Face Same Career Advancement Challenges. Huffington Post Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/despite-regional-differences_b_5397444.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2014). HP Blog Over 9 million women-owned businesses in the U.S. and counting! Huffington Post Blog (Women), http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/over-9-million-womenowned_b_5094184.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2014). HP Blog Five Tips for Women Who Want to Advance in Careers. Huffington Post Blog, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-bernice-ledbetter/five-tips-for-women-who-want-to-advance-in-careers_b_4988749.html.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2015). LA Times Quote Ellen Pao Resigns as Interim CEO of Reddit after Week of Intense Criticism (vol. July 10, 2015, pp. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-tn-ellen-pao-resigns-20150710-story.html). Los Angeles, CA: Los Angeles Times.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2015). LA Times Quote Sharing Her Grief, Sheryl Sandberg Becomes More Powerful Role Model (vol. June 4, 2015, pp. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-0604-sheryl-sandberg-20150604-story.html). Los Angeles, CA: Los Angeles Times.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2015). LA Times Quote Bias case may yet spur change (vol. March 29, 2015, pp. B1 & B5). Los Angeles, CA: LA Times.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2015). LA Times Quote 3 Lingering Questions After Ellen Pao's Loss in Silicon Valley Trial (vol. March 28, 2015, pp. http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-ellen-pao-lingering-questions-20150328-story.html). Los Angeles, CA: Los Angeles Times.
  • Ledbetter, B. L. (2014). Women in Leadership, Trends on 2015 (pp. http://newsroom.pepperdine.edu/faculty-experts). Los Angeles, CA: GSBM Marketing.

Areas of Expertise

  • Women in leadership
  • Organizational ethics and leadership
  • Non-western approaches to leadership
  • Gender differences in the workplace

Courses

  • BSCI 617
  • BSCI 635
  • BSM 476
  • BSM 480
  • BSM 483
  • BSM 484
  • BSM 491
  • BSM 599
  • MBA 694
  • MBAM 685
  • OTMT 483
  • OTMT 608
  • OTMT 617
  • OTMT 650
  • OTMT 670
  • OTMT 672
  • OTMT 679
  • OTMT 680