Exploring Pepperdine’s Executive DBA: A Conversation with Jolie Gutentag (EDBA ‘21)
The Executive Doctor of Business Administration (EDBA) program at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School is a transformative experience designed for seasoned professionals eager to merge their business expertise with academic rigor. During a recent Pepperdine President's Briefing, Executive DBA Academic Director Dr. Nelson Granados interviewed alum Jolie Gutentag (EDBA ‘21), an accomplished business leader, researcher, and visiting professor at Seaver College. Their engaging discussion shed light on Jolie's journey through the EDBA program and its role in preparing her to address global challenges, including advancing sustainability initiatives.
Read Jolie's Interview:
Can you share a little about your background?
I was born and raised in California and pursued my education at an international business school, aiming for a career in a Spanish-speaking, warm climate. However, life had other plans—I met my German husband, moved to Germany, and worked there for over 25 years in international business with companies like Procter & Gamble and Nestlé. Later, I transitioned into consulting and took over my family's semiconductor packaging business in California.
I always had a doctorate in the back of my mind. My husband and I met during grad school and joked that we'd become professors someday. The idea stuck, especially when I began seeking intellectual growth, a career pivot toward purpose-driven work, and the chance to create scientific knowledge.
When I returned to California to care for my mother, I came across Pepperdine's EDBA program, which was just launching. A month and a half later, I was in the classroom. The experience was extraordinary, largely because of the incredible cohort of about 20 experienced executives and Pepperdine's top-tier faculty. Together, we tackled complex business challenges by combining rigorous research with real-world insights.
How has the program impacted your personal and professional life?
The Executive DBA program has been transformative. I'm now a visiting professor at Seaver College, fulfilling the prediction I made during my MBA days. I love teaching—it allows me to blend my academic and business backgrounds while drawing on my extensive international experience.
The program also made me a scientist. I published a paper in the International Journal of Advertising, a milestone that deepened my understanding of research and academic writing. Through the Executive DBA, I've learned to think more critically and approach problems with greater depth. It's a profound intellectual and personal growth journey.
What are your plans for making an impact moving forward?
I plan to continue teaching and conducting research, focusing on sustainability. It's a challenging concept to market because it feels abstract to many people. My research centers on framing sustainability through the lens of the circular economy, a concept familiar in Europe but less so in the U.S.
I've found that this framing makes sustainability more tangible, encouraging people to change their behavior. Moving forward, I aim to share these insights with policymakers and businesses to improve how sustainability is marketed and understood. Alongside my consulting work, I hope to inspire actionable change and promote sustainable innovations more effectively.
Shaping Leaders Through the Executive DBA Program
This conversation underscores how Pepperdine's Executive DBA program transforms accomplished professionals like Jolie Gutentag into scholars and changemakers. By fostering collaboration between experienced executives and world-class faculty, the program empowers its participants to tackle complex challenges with real-world impact.
About Pepperdine's Executive DBA Program
The Executive DBA program at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School prepares leaders to blend business acumen with applied research, enabling them to solve pressing global problems. With small, diverse cohorts and a values-driven approach, the program equips graduates to lead with integrity and purpose.