Graziadio Alumna Michelle Steel ('97) Confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea

Pepperdine Graziadio Business School alumna Michelle Steel (’97) has been confirmed by the United States Senate as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Korea. Born in Seoul, Steel originally immigrated to the United States to attend Pepperdine University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Graziadio Business School.

Prior to her ambassadorial appointment, Steel built a distinguished public service career across federal, state, and local government. She served as a U.S. Representative for California’s 48th and 45th Congressional Districts from 2021 to 2025, sitting on the House Committee on Ways and Means. Her extensive leadership background also includes serving as Chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Vice Chair of the California State Board of Equalization, and Co-Chair of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. In her new diplomatic post in Seoul, Ambassador Steel leads U.S. diplomatic initiatives focused on economic security, trade, advanced technology, and regional stability.

Read the official announcement from the U.S. Embassy in Korea here.