Pepperdine Alumna Christa Zofcin Workman Appointed to Graziadio Board

Pepperdine Graziadio Business School has appointed Christa Zofcin Workman (MBA '01) to its Graziadio Board, bringing her extensive entertainment industry leadership, strategic finance expertise, and deep commitment to the university community to the school’s advisory body.

A four-time Pepperdine graduate, Workman spent 14 years at River Road Entertainment, most recently as Co-President and Chief Operating Officer. In this role, she led operations, finance, worldwide distribution, and strategic partnerships for the production company behind Best Picture Oscar® winner 12 Years a Slave, The Tree of Life, Into the Wild, and Food, Inc. During her tenure, she brought in the first outside equity in the company's history and originated an exclusive international distribution partnership with StudioCanal covering 11 titles that generated over $440 million worldwide.

Earlier in her career, Workman served as Head of Business and Legal Affairs at United Artists, managing dealmaking across talent, production, financing, and global distribution for the studio's slate, including films funded under a $500 million credit facility. She concurrently served as Senior Vice President of Business Affairs at MGM Studios, returning to the studio where she initially began her career as a senior financial analyst.

Workman is an Emmy®-nominated executive producer of David Byrne's American Utopia and a member of both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Television Academy. She also co-chairs the UCLA Entertainment Symposium Advisory Committee, which programs the annual industry symposium.

Her appointment deepens a long-standing relationship with Pepperdine. Workman holds an MBA from Graziadio, a JD from the Caruso School of Law, and a BS in Business Administration and a BA in Economics, both earned magna cum laude. Since 2009, she has served as a founding board member of what is now Graziadio's Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Sports. She also serves on the Pepperdine University Board, the Board of Trustees of Claris Health, and holds memberships in the State Bar of California and the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. In 2021, Graziadio honored her with its Distinguished Alumnus Award, and she delivered the commencement address for the school's classes of 2020 and 2021.

Through her appointment to the Graziadio Board, Workman will contribute her expertise in entertainment executive leadership, global distribution strategy, and legal governance while advancing the school's mission to develop values-centered leaders who drive meaningful impact in business and society.

Her appointment reflects Pepperdine Graziadio's continued commitment to strengthening its community of leaders and fostering connections between the school and the industries it serves.