From Graphic Design to Strategic Leadership: How Alejandro Villamil Found His Greater Purpose at Pepperdine Graziadio

July 21, 2026

For many creative professionals, transitioning from technical execution to high-level strategic management can feel like learning a completely different language. That was the exact challenge facing Alejandro Villamil. Moving from a prepress graphic designer to a supervisor, Alejandro knew that unlocking his full leadership potential required a broader business toolkit. He turned to the Pepperdine Graziadio Part-Time MBA program to bridge that gap.

Striking a balance between his daily career in print production and evening business classes, Alejandro utilized the program as an immediate real-world testing ground. The investment paid off. Today, as a Prepress and Print Production Manager, Alejandro isn't just managing workflows, he is shaping teams.

We sat down with the August 2025 graduate to discuss his journey, the immediate impact of his finance-concentrated MBA, and how the experience aligned with a much larger calling.

"Beyond the business strategy and the promotion, the ultimate return on investment was a profound lesson in leadership: the true value of success lies in what you give back to the next generation." — Alejandro Villamil, MBA ‘25

The Universal Language of Business

Stepping away from the design board to lead an entire Prepress and Print Production team requires more than just technical expertise, it demands an organizational mindset. Alejandro found that the Graziadio Part-Time MBA completely shifted his perspective.

"The program completely transformed my mindset and expanded my strategic vision," Alejandro notes. "It provided me with the foundational tools required to transition from a technical mindset to an organizational one."

For Alejandro, the corporate frameworks he learned in the classroom became tools he could deploy the very next morning. Coming from a highly specialized field like print manufacturing, he initially wondered how a traditional business curriculum would apply to his day-to-day work. However, he quickly realized that core business principles are universal:

Organizational Behavior: Transformed how he communicates and collaborates with executive leadership.
Financial Management: Allowed him to analyze daily shop-floor operations through a lens of profitability and bottom-line impact.
Marketing: Shifted his perspective entirely. As Alejandro puts it, "it helped me realize that you don't need a "sales" title to advocate for your brand or add value to the business. Every role has a commercial impact."

Discovering a Greater Purpose Through Community

At Pepperdine Graziadio, business education extends far beyond bottom-line metrics. The school's emphasis on a Greater Purpose resonated deeply with Alejandro's evolution as a leader.

While a promotion and a title change are tangible markers of success, Alejandro notes that the most valuable, unexpected return on his investment was a profound surge in personal and professional confidence.

"Navigating those long, demanding nights while balancing a full-time career proved to me exactly what I am capable of achieving when I set my mind to it," he shares. "Before entering the program, I occasionally hesitated to step into the spotlight or claim a seat at the table. Today, that hesitation is gone."

Breaking the Industry Bubble

Spending years in a single sector can easily create an industry bubble. By collaborating with a diverse cohort of peers spanning tech, finance, and healthcare, Alejandro gained fresh, cross-functional perspectives on problem-solving. This rich network allowed him to see how different industries approach strategy, giving him a fresh toolkit of ideas that he successfully adapted and applied within his own field.

Leading by Giving Back

Part Time MBA student with friends

True leadership isn't just about climbing the ladder, it's about lifting others as you climb. This philosophy is at the heart of Graziadio’s For Greater Purpose, and it is a mission Alejandro has fully embraced in his new managerial role by managing and fostering the professional development of two junior designers.

"I’ve built structured growth plans, implemented tailored one-on-one training sessions, and focused on constructive coaching to help them refine their skills," Alejandro says.

Furthermore, because his company places a high value on internship opportunities, he is actively working to establish a pipeline with Pepperdine to bring Waves interns into his production environment, closing the loop on his commitment to mentorship.

Take the Leap

Reflecting on his journey, Alejandro offers a powerful piece of advice for any designer, supervisor, or technical specialist who feels stuck in their current role and wants to unlock their leadership potential:

"Take the leap and do it! It requires dedication, but the return on investment extends far beyond the diploma on the wall. While the tangible career progression and strategic knowledge are massive, the intangible benefits of confidence, the network, and the shift in self-perception are completely immeasurable."

Shape Your Future

Alejandro’s transformation highlights that a Pepperdine Graziadio MBA is more than just an academic milestone, it is a launchpad for professionals across all industries to find a deeper alignment between their technical talents and a meaningful career. By stepping outside of his comfort zone, Alejandro didn't just earn a management title, he discovered a greater purpose rooted in mentorship, community, and impactful leadership. If you are ready to break through your professional limits, build lasting confidence, and learn to lead with intention, Pepperdine Graziadio is here to help you pave the way.