Awardee Biographies

Danirose Hill 

Outstanding Full-Time MBA Student

DaniRose Hill is an MBA Candidate driven by a passion for leveraging business strategy to build a more sustainable and ethical world. With a background in nonprofit and environmental work, she recognized the transformative power of integrating purpose with corporate strategy and sought out Pepperdine Graziadio to equip herself with the tools to drive impact on a larger scale. 

In addition to her MBA, DaniRose is earning a SEER (Social, Environmental, and Ethical Responsibility) certificate, deepening her expertise in sustainable business practices. A leader both in and beyond the classroom, she has served as Vice President and President of Net Impact, where she fostered a community of like-minded students dedicated to ethical business. She has competed in four business case competitions, most notably helping her team secure second place at BYU’s 2025 MBA Faith and Belief at Work Case Competition, standing out among 15 teams nationwide. Recognized for her presence and analytical rigor, she has been awarded Best Q&A and Best Presenter titles across multiple competitions. 

DaniRose’s leadership extends into the startup world, where she has co-founded Blue Room, a digital platform for surfers to connect, plan, and track their sessions. Set to launch this spring, Blue Room embodies her passion for community-building and innovation. When she’s not immersed in business strategy, she finds solace in nature—surfing Malibu’s coastline, backpacking in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and drawing inspiration from the outdoors to ground her work in a deeper sense of purpose.

Reflecting on her time at Pepperdine, DaniRose is profoundly grateful for the community that shaped her journey, the oceanfront campus that became her home, and the opportunities that have propelled her forward. As she re-enters the corporate world, she seeks roles that empower her to apply her creativity and leadership to drive positive change for businesses, people, and the planet. Committed to giving back, she looks forward to remaining an engaged alumna, championing the values and vision that have defined her time at Pepperdine.

Julius Toledo  

Outstanding Part-Time MBA Student

Julius Toledo is a dynamic media executive with over 14 years of experience in digital media and entertainment. While pursuing his education part-time, he serves as the Director of Partnership Management at Warner Bros. Discovery, where he oversees transactional sales on Amazon Prime Video. Previously, he played a key role in driving international go-to-market strategies for HBO Max. His expertise includes content distribution, business strategy, and global expansion across major Hollywood studios, digital entertainment platforms, and streaming services.

Beyond his professional achievements, Julius is deeply committed to community service. He has served on the Board of Directors for YR Media, an Oakland-based nonprofit dedicated to amplifying youth voices through journalism and media. As Board Chair for four years, he spearheaded efforts to expand YR Media’s programs, including establishing a brick-and-mortar location in Chicago. His passion for empowering young people in underserved communities continues to shape his leadership and advocacy.

Julius is a devoted husband and proud father of three. Residing in Los Angeles, he actively applies the insights and skills gained from the Graziadio MBA program to his work in digital entertainment. 

He dedicates this award to his wife and children, whose unwavering support, love, and inspiration drive his commitment to making a meaningful impact.

Kristina Schneider 

Outstanding Part-Time MBA Student

Kristina Schneider is an accomplished business consultant and Managing Director of The Ultimate Estate Planner, Inc., a consulting firm dedicated to empowering lawyers to excel as business owners. With over two decades of experience, Kristina has specialized in equipping legal professionals with the essential tools and strategies often overlooked in law school, helping them build and sustain thriving law practices.

Kristina began her professional journey immediately after earning her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Pepperdine University’s Seaver College. For more than 20 years, she has combined her entrepreneurial spirit with her dedication to mentorship, guiding attorneys to master both the business and human elements of their practices.

In 2021, Kristina fulfilled a long-held dream by returning to her alma mater to pursue her MBA at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. Her transformative MBA journey has been marked by tremendous personal growth and an unwavering commitment to giving back. During her time at Graziadio, she has demonstrated exemplary leadership as a member of the Graziadio Student Advisory Board and as the co-founder and inaugural President of the Asian American Pacific Islander Association, where she has worked tirelessly to foster diversity, inclusion, and community.

Kristina’s story is one of resilience, courage, and continuous reinvention—a testament to the power of stepping outside one’s comfort zone and embracing lifelong learning.

Russell Hoss 

Outstanding BSM Student 

Russell Hoss is a recent Business Management graduate from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School, where he discovered a lasting passion for the financial markets. During his time at Graziadio, Russell served as President of the Finance Club for nearly a year and a half, driving two major initiatives to strengthen the school’s finance community. First, he co-founded the Coastal Capital Summit, an annual finance conference aimed at uniting Pepperdine students, alumni, and industry professionals for networking and career opportunities. Second, he established the Graziadio Student Investment Fund, providing an applied learning platform that immerses students in real-world investment management experience.

Outside of the classroom, Russell has spent nearly three years at CBRE, supporting the management of a Class-A commercial real estate portfolio. In this role, he applies data-driven analysis and problem-solving skills to optimize operational strategies and tackle complex challenges. Ever focused on continuous learning, he has completed multiple courses in financial modeling and valuation and frequently volunteers for new projects or causes. With a knack for blending analytical insight and collaborative leadership, Russell is eager to channel his skill set into a future in asset and investment management, committed to making a meaningful impact on the industry.

Leigha Weber 

Outstanding Full-Time MS Student

Leigha Weber is a Master of Science in Global Business candidate at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, combining her background in foreign language and intelligence with a passion for international business and cross-cultural collaboration.

Alongside her studies, Leigha works full-time as a project manager in the sustainable technology industry, leading a global team of developers in the creation of a carbon-neutral data storage solution. Collaborating across time zones and cultures, she has become personally familiar with the challenges of international teamwork while driving innovation in an industry that is redefining the future of sustainable infrastructure.

Before coming to Pepperdine, Leigha served seven years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, specializing in intelligence operations aboard the EC-130 Compass Call. Working alongside NATO allies and coalition forces in multinational exercises gave her firsthand experience in global cooperation, strategic communication, and navigating cultural differences in high-stakes environments.

Now at Pepperdine, Leigha continues to apply this international mindset. She serves on the Graziadio Student Advisory Board and is an active member of both the Graziadio Women’s Business Association and the Graziadio Asian-American Pacific Islander Association, contributing to mentorship, professional development, and cross-cultural initiatives.

Leigha’s commitment to leadership and service was reinforced by her participation in the annual Women’s Initiative Team (WIT) Conference, an Air Force summit focused on expanding opportunities for women in military service. The conference deepened her understanding of the challenges leaders face in creating meaningful change, but also the power of mentorship, advocacy, and collective action.

That same spirit of resilience and unity became even more evident through her work with the Pepperdine Veterans (PeppVet) Council during the American Legion Group-led relief effort following the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles. Witnessing a community rally together—first responders, veterans, neighbors, strangers, and volunteers—despite loss and uncertainty was a powerful reminder that true leadership isn’t just about making decisions; it’s about showing up. In the midst of hardship, people from all walks of life came forward not for recognition, but because it was the right thing to do. That experience left a lasting impression, reinforcing Leigha’s belief that the strength of a community isn’t measured by what it endures, but by how it rebuilds together.

With a deep appreciation for cross-cultural understanding and global collaboration, Leigha remains committed to building bridges—whether across industries, borders, or communities.

Amanda Langhorst 

Outstanding Executive DBA Student 

Amanda Langhorst is a faculty member and Program Director of the Applied Management program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Business and Security Management. With a passion for career development, Amanda teaches professional development classes and management and organizational behavior. She is an Executive DBA student studying the role of community in the career decision-making process. In her free time she enjoys the outdoors of Alaska with her family. 

Darren Good 

Outstanding Faculty Award

Darren Good, PhD is a Professor of Applied Behavioral Science at the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, where he has established himself as a leading classroom instructor and scholar in the integration and impact of mindfulness in the workplace. Early in his career, he was recognized as an Ascendant Scholar by the Western Academy of Management – given to those on track to be leaders in their respective fields. Since then, his research has significantly advanced the field, with work published in top academic journals such as the Journal of Management, Journal of Applied Psychology, and Harvard Business Review. Notably, he was the recipient of the Journal of Management's 2021 Scholarly Impact Award, which was given to the article that most influenced the field of management. Dr. Good’s passion for teaching has been recognized with Pepperdine University's Howard A. White Award for teaching excellence.

Dr. Good is also an active contributor to Pepperdine's academic community. He has served for the past decade as core faculty in the school’s top-ranked Master's in Organizational Development program. Additionally, he has partnered closely with donor Frank Foster to create the Masters of Science in Family Enterprise program. He holds a PhD in Organizational Behavior from Case Western Reserve University, an MA in Psychology from Pepperdine, and a BA in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Good regularly consults and speaks to organizations, providing expertise on leader development and workplace mindfulness. 

Ronald “Jake” Clark  (MBA ‘19)

Waves of Service Alumni Award

Dr. Ronald “Jake” Clark is a U.S. Army Veteran of the Cold War era and the California Army National Guard during the Post-9/11 era. During a lengthy break in military service, he served with the U.S. Secret Service, the Los Angeles Police Department, and as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Following the events of 9/11, Jake reenlisted in the Guard, completed Officer Candidate School, and deployed on multiple peacekeeping tours to the former Yugoslavia, where he bore witness to the devastating aftermath of genocidal atrocities, profoundly shaping his worldview.

While pursuing his MBA at Pepperdine University, Jake paused his studies in 2012 to found Save A Warrior (SAW) in Malibu, California—a groundbreaking program disrupting conventional approaches to suicide prevention. His pioneering efforts have inspired and informed the curricula of dozens of resiliency programs across the country and abroad.

A sought-after public speaker on returning Veteran transition, reintegration, as well as the myriad mental health challenges facing First Responders, Jake’s work has been featured in documentary and feature films, as well as major news articles. His contributions have earned numerous accolades, including a WebMD Health Hero Award for Veteran advocacy and recognition from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' BrainTrust: Pathways to Innovation for SAW’s revolutionary approach to ending Veteran suicide.

Through the generosity of Disabled American Veterans and private donors in Ohio, Save A Warrior established the nation’s first Center of Excellence for Complex Post-Traumatic Stress at Warrior Village in Hillsboro, Ohio. Since its inception, Save A Warrior has served and supported nearly 3,000 returning Veterans and First Responders, achieving an unparalleled 99.99% success rate.

In 2024, Jake completed his doctoral studies at the University of Southern California with a specialization in Design Thinking for solving Grand Challenges—complex societal problems requiring innovative and scalable solutions. In recognition of his leadership at Save A Warrior, Jake was honored in 2025 with the George Award from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business for  extraordinary service to returning Veterans and First Responders.

Henry Rabello (MBA ‘96)

Outstanding Alumni Winner 

Henry Rabello is a multicultural global marketing leader with extensive international experience. Henry, an alumnus of Pepperdine University, earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Seaver College in 1993 and a Master of International Business from the Graziadio Business School in 1996.

As a water polo student-athlete, Henry earned All-American, All-NCAA, and All-Conference honors each year, serving as captain of the 1992 team.

In addition to his professional success, Henry is passionate about giving back to the Pepperdine community. He has taught co-curricular courses at the Graziadio MBA program, guest lectured in marketing classes, and mentored numerous students in both the Seaver and Graduate programs.

Henry’s marketing expertise spans a wide range of sectors, including youth culture, sports, and entertainment. He has worked for renowned companies such as Nike, YouTube/Google, and WSS/Foot Locker. Henry is particularly recognized for driving consumer-centric initiatives and executing successful global campaigns. Notably, he has led impactful campaigns for cultural events such as the FIFA World Cups and the Olympic Games, as well as spearheading innovative global marketing strategies.

Currently, Henry serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC) and as a guest advisor for the Pepperdine Athletics Department Board. Fluent in multiple languages and widely traveled, Henry has demonstrated success as both an entrepreneur in startups and an executive within Fortune 100 companies.

Outside of his professional achievements, Henry has been married to Kenya for nearly 20 years. They have a son, Enryc, who is a freshman in high school and a competitive soccer player. The family enjoys traveling and experiencing different cultures around the world.

Robbie Gluckson at UCLA Health 

Outstanding Corporate Leadership Award

UCLA Health is among the most comprehensive and advanced healthcare systems globally. Our mission is to deliver leading-edge patient care, research, education, and community engagement, including a wide range of community and corporate partnerships.

Our vision is to heal humankind, one patient at a time, by improving health, alleviating suffering, and delivering acts of kindness.  At UCLA Health, we are committed to expanding coverage, providing greater accessibility, and improving healthcare quality for all patients.  Together, the UCLA Hospital System, the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and community-based clinics strive daily to be leaders in setting the standards of excellence.

As a leading public institution dedicated to medicine, education, research, and community, we are committed to delivering the right care to the right patient at the right time and the right cost. We welcome partnerships with organizations equally committed to achieving economic and population health in all communities. We also embrace the challenge of today’s healthcare market by providing exceptional care and patient experience to those who choose UCLA Health for their healthcare needs. 

Robbie Gluckson serves as the Director of Community Outreach & Market Development and is an inspirational leader and coach who recognizes and develops talent in others.  This commitment to nurturing talent within its workforce underscores UCLA Health's recognition of the value that educated leaders bring to patient care and community wellness, creating a ripple effect that benefits both organizations and their missions.