Dean Deborah Crown Named to LA500 List in LA Business Journal

Deborah Crown was recently named in the Los Angeles Business Journal's LA500 list as one of Los Angeles’ most influential leaders.

“Chosen by our editorial staff, this signature issue features the 500 most influential people in Los Angeles, based on their achievements and standing within our Community of Business,” said Josh Schimmels, Publisher and CEO of the Los Angeles Business Journal.

Crown is the 10th dean of Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. 

She came to Pepperdine in 2022 with nearly two decades of academic leadership experience, most recently serving as professor of management and dean of the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College in Florida. At Crummer, she increased overall fundraising by 149% during her five-year tenure.

She earlier served as the Dean of the College of Business and Professor of Strategic Leadership at Hawaii Pacific University, Associate Dean of the Lucas Graduate School of Business and Lucas Endowed Professor of Strategic Leadership at San Jose State University, and Director of Domestic and International Graduate Programs and O’Bleness Professor of Leadership at the Ohio University College of Business.

"Dean Crown's leadership is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence in education and the empowerment of future business leaders," said Stevan Calvillo, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School board chair. "Her strategic vision and dedication to immersive learning experiences have propelled Pepperdine Graziadio Business School to the forefront of innovation, preparing students to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape."

In addition to Dean Crown, Pepperdine University President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Gash received the prestigious honor of being on the 2024 LA500 list.

This year’s LA500 list is available on the LA Business Journal website.