Graziadio Alumna Dr. Rachel Ingel-Champion Featured in Forbes on Why Culture Drives Competitive Advantage
As organizations rethink what drives lasting success, Pepperdine Graziadio highlights alumna Rachel Ingel-Champion (MBA '10), featured in Forbes for her perspective on culture as a powerful competitive advantage.
In the article, Ingel-Champion explores how culture operates as a powerful, often underestimated force shaping organizational performance. Drawing on more than two decades of experience as an organizational psychologist, executive coach, and consultant, she emphasizes that culture is not defined by perks or statements, but by the everyday behaviors, norms, and systems that guide how work actually gets done.
Her perspective comes at a critical moment for businesses navigating rapid transformation driven by artificial intelligence, evolving workforce expectations, and increasing demands for purpose-driven leadership. Ingel-Champion argues that the most essential capabilities in today’s workplace, self-awareness, communication, and human connection, are not secondary "soft skills," but foundational drivers of long-term success.
Central to her work is a leadership philosophy that reframes influence as a choice rather than a title. In the Forbes feature, she underscores that effective leadership requires not only strategic thinking but also a deep understanding of human behavior, particularly in fostering trust, collaboration, and commitment across teams.
The article also highlights themes from her forthcoming book, The Groundswell: A New Kind of Leadership for a World Ready to Change, which introduces a framework for leading in complex, fast-changing environments. Her model focuses on three core dimensions: self-leadership, leading others, and guiding organizations through continuous change.
Ingel-Champion's work reinforces a growing consensus among business leaders and researchers: organizations that invest intentionally in culture and human capability are better positioned to adapt, innovate, and sustain performance over time. Her insights offer a compelling reminder that in an increasingly automated world, the human dimension of leadership remains a defining competitive advantage.
As a Graziadio alumna, Ingel-Champion exemplifies the School's commitment to developing leaders who combine strategic expertise with purpose-driven impact, advancing organizations not only through results, but through people. Read the full article here.