Pepperdine to Host Global Executive DBA Conference on Research and Societal Impact

Pepperdine Graziadio Business School will host the Executive Doctor of Business Administration (EDBA) Conference, in partnership with the Executive DBA Council, on September 11–13, 2025, at Pepperdine University in Malibu. The gathering will bring together scholars, practitioners, and executives from around the world under the theme "Waves of Impact in Research and Society."

Keynote speakers include Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President and CEO of SHRM, the world’s largest HR membership organization with more than 340,000 business leaders, and Cristina Gibson, University Professor at Pepperdine Graziadio. Taylor will address how academia-industry partnerships can solve today’s pressing business challenges, while Gibson will share her globally recognized research on collaboration, cross-sector partnerships, and the intersection of culture and technology.

Over three days, attendees will participate in research presentations, panel discussions, and collaborative sessions that advance executive doctoral education and highlight how scholar-practitioners are driving meaningful change across industries and communities. The event also offers a distinctive platform for networking among Executive DBA candidates, alumni, faculty, and business leaders.

As one of the premier global convenings in executive doctoral education, the 2025 conference reinforces Pepperdine’s commitment to scholarly excellence that drives innovation, strengthens organizations, and creates lasting impact on society.