​​Pepperdine Graziadio Alumna Carol Lusk (DBA ‘24) Receives Prestigious Dissertation Proposal Award at Academy of Management Conference

Pepperdine Graziadio alumna Dr. Carol Lusk (DBA ‘24) was honored with the Management, Spirituality, and Religion Dissertation Proposal Award at the 84th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management (AOM). Lusk's dissertation from the Executive Doctor of Business Administration program, titled "The Sacred and the Secular: The Impact of Gender and Religiosity on Leadership," explores the complex dynamics between gender, religiosity, and leadership attainment, earning her this prestigious recognition in the emerging field of Management, Spirituality, and Religion (MSR).

The MSR Dissertation Proposal Award is designed to honor and support doctoral candidates whose work integrates management with spirituality and/or religion, aiming to advance quality research that offers novel and evidence-based theoretical or applied contributions to the field.

Based on a mixed-method approach, Lusk's study revealed that while religious women were generally more motivated to lead, non-religious women often attained higher leadership positions. Through interviews with organizational leaders, Lusk identified key pathways to leadership, such as flexible work schedules and supportive organizational policies, particularly for women navigating traditional occupational systems.

This award, given by the Management, Spirituality, and Religion (MSR) division of AOM, recognizes Lusk's significant contribution to the field, and her work advancing research at the intersection of management, spirituality, and religion.

Learn more about the Executive Doctor of Business Administration program.