Pepperdine Alumnus and Smile Brands CEO Steve Bilt Honored by King Osei Otumfuo II of Ghana for Global Health Leadership

Steve Bilt (MBA '01, PKE 106), CEO of Smile Brands and alumnus of Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, was recently recognized by King Osei Otumfuo II of the Ashanti Kingdom of Ghana for more than a decade of philanthropic work advancing access to oral healthcare across the country.

The honor was conferred during Smile Brands’ annual leadership meeting in Denver, where the King’s Ambassador attended as an emissary and formally “enstooled” Bilt in recognition of the Smiles for Everyone Foundation’s sustained impact in Ghana. The distinction reflects the Foundation’s long-standing partnership with local leaders to deliver dental care and health education to underserved communities.

Under Bilt’s leadership, the Smiles for Everyone Foundation has worked for more than 12 years to expand access to care through trusted, community-based partnerships. Its collaboration with the Osei Otumfuo II Foundation has played a central role in scaling these efforts, combining global resources with local expertise to drive meaningful, lasting outcomes.

"This is a truly humbling honor to receive from His Majesty," Bilt said. "I am extremely proud of our decade-plus working together to bring care to his people in Ghana. The Smiles for Everyone Foundation is at its best when our local partnerships add the hands and hearts to deliver a force multiplier. Nowhere is that better demonstrated than through our partnership with the Osei Otumfuo II Foundation."

Bilt, who earned his MBA from Pepperdine Graziadio in 2001, has long emphasized purpose-driven leadership, integrating social impact into Smile Brands’ global mission. The Foundation’s work in Ghana reflects a commitment to sustainable impact rooted in collaboration and local empowerment.

The recognition underscores the global influence of Pepperdine Graziadio alumni and their dedication to leading with purpose, service, and impact on a global scale. Learn more about the Smiles for Everyone Foundation here.