Pepperdine Graziadio DBA Alumna Jolie Gutentag Joins NSF-Funded Research on Sustainable Sanitation Solutions
Pepperdine Graziadio Business School alumna, Dr. Jolie Gutentag (DBA ‘21), is contributing her expertise in sustainable marketing to a groundbreaking research project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The project, part of the NSF’s Responsible Design, Development, and Deployment of Technologies (ReDDDoT) program, aims to explore public awareness, acceptance, and attitudes toward sustainable sanitation systems.
The interdisciplinary initiative, led by the nonprofit TERC and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), addresses the growing challenges posed by aging infrastructure, climate change, and resource limitations. It seeks to identify public priorities and preferences regarding alternative waste management technologies beyond traditional flush toilets and sewage systems.
Gutentag, reflecting on the project’s goals, said, “The goal is to be inclusive of many perspectives early stages in the design process.” Her involvement highlights Pepperdine’s commitment to applied research that integrates business strategies with environmental innovation.
The research team—comprising environmental experts, scientists, city officials, educators, and communication designers—will focus on building trust between the public and scientists. Their work will shed light on concerns about human waste disposal and alternative systems like urine capture for agricultural use, already implemented by the project’s advisor, the Rich Earth Institute.
In collaboration with city officials in Winston-Salem and rural residents in North Carolina, the team will document best practices for introducing new sanitation systems.
"Our objective is to pinpoint the values and preferences of diverse North Carolina residents and engage various members of the community in designing innovative approaches," Gutentag added.
The NSF-funded project not only addresses pressing environmental and infrastructure challenges but also promotes dialogue between stakeholders, helping pave the way for innovative approaches to waste management.
Read the press release here. Learn more about Pepperdine Graziadio's Doctor of Business Administration program.