Pepperdine Part-Time MBA Student Jill-Ashley Gooman Evaluates Workplace Culture for AmPac Business Capital
Jill-Ashley Gooman, a standout Part-Time MBA student at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, brought theory to life through her participation in Pepperdine's Education to Business (E2B)™ initiative. Tasked with assessing the corporate culture of AmPac Business Capital, Jill applied her academic knowledge to address real-world challenges. AmPac Business Capital is a mission-driven, non-profit organization, a leader in small to mid-sized business (SMB) financing, and is renowned for its personalized service, innovative financial solutions, and faith-based approach. It is dedicated to supporting small businesses by providing loan products and resources at all stages of growth, as a Certified Development Company (CDC) with the SBA and a U.S. Department of Treasury Certified Development Financial Institution (CDFI). AmPac is a Certified Lender with the SBA, offering SBA-backed loans to support small business growth. As the nation's first faith-based SBA lender, AmPac combines ethical service with faith-based values, providing financial resources and guidance to empower businesses with integrity and compassion, ensuring long-term success for entrepreneurs. Through this collaboration, Gooman contributed to impactful initiatives, reflecting the unique value of Pepperdine's hands-on MBA experience.
Read Jill-Ashley's Interview:
1. Can you provide an overview of AmPac's recent initiatives and why this project appealed to you?
AmPac Business Capital has strengthened its position in the SMB financing sector by emphasizing personalized service and seamless access to capital. Their initiatives include fostering entrepreneurial success through access to capital and a comprehensive Entrepreneur Ecosystem. AmPac values providing wisdom and business ethics in serving clients, leveraging expertise in SBA regulations to facilitate success, advocating for business owners, and maintaining prudent underwriting standards. They value partnerships, which help propel business growth.
What sets AmPac apart is its faith-based approach, built on values like integrity, trust, and partnership. This allows them to create meaningful, lasting relationships with clients, empowering small businesses to thrive while upholding ethical principles. For me, this alignment of values and commitment to SMBs made the project deeply appealing.
2. How did your coursework or a particular professor prepare you for working on a project like this?
My Pepperdine coursework and experience with the E2B business project were instrumental. Classes on organizational strategies and market analysis equipped me to assess market trends, identify target audiences, and craft tailored communication strategies—all essential for understanding SMB financing needs.
The hands-on approach of the E2B program also enhanced my problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability skills. These experiences helped me maintain a client-centric approach and deliver customized solutions for AmPac. The program's emphasis on ethical and strategic leadership gave me the tools to thrive in real-world consultancy projects.
3. What recommendations did you make to AmPac, and how were they received?
I emphasized the importance of leaders setting the tone for cultural transformation by modeling desired behaviors. Employee engagement was another focus, with recommendations to solicit feedback, involve staff in cultural initiatives, and foster ownership. Training programs centered on innovation, collaboration, and structured processes were suggested, alongside regular assessments to track progress toward cultural goals.
These recommendations were well-received by AmPac's leadership. They expressed interest in creating an HR role based on our insights, demonstrating their commitment to fostering an inclusive and innovative culture aligned with strategic goals.
4. Can you share any outcomes or successes from your involvement in the AmPac project?
Our cultural assessment highlighted AmPac's strengths in collaboration and teamwork, and areas for growth, such as increasing innovation and introducing more structure to enhance efficiency. The insights we provided offered a roadmap for balancing flexibility with process-driven strategies.
This comprehensive assessment positioned AmPac to foster creativity, empower employees, and remain competitive in an evolving marketplace. The company's willingness to consider new roles and initiatives speaks to its dedication to continuous improvement and long-term success.
About the Part-Time MBA at Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University's Part-Time MBA program equips students to excel as business leaders through a dynamic hybrid curriculum that blends ethics, global perspectives, and advanced business strategies. With hands-on learning opportunities such as real-world projects, internships, and case competitions, students graduate ready to drive meaningful change in their careers and beyond.