Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

From graphic design to strategic leadership, Alejandro Villamil, MBA ’25, found his greater purpose at Pepperdine Graziadio.

Through the Part-Time MBA program, Alejandro gained the confidence and strategic perspective to step into leadership, mentor emerging talent, and make a greater impact in his field.

Read his story and discover how an MBA can turn career growth into purposeful leadership: https://bit.ly/45377yK

From Graphic Design to Strategic Leadership: How Alejandro Villamil Found His Greater Purpose at Pepperdine Graziadio Discover how Alejandro Villamil leveraged a Pepperdine Part-Time MBA with a finance concentration to shift from graphic design to strategic leadership.

This week, we’re highlighting Alejandro Villamil and his inspiring Graziadio journey.

From discovering his greater purpose to embracing opportunities for personal and professional growth, Alejandro’s story reflects what it means to lead with purpose, serve others, and make a lasting impact. His experience is a powerful reminder that growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone and staying open to where your journey can take you.

Read more about Alejandro’s journey: https://bit.ly/45377yK

In a recent New York Times feature, Graziadio faculty member Cristel Russell discusses the consumer psychology behind media re-consumption, offering practical insights on why children crave narrative repetition and the structural elements that make stories irresistible.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4vSOF6K

This week, we’re excited to feature Marco, a current Master of Science in Business (MSB) student from Riverside, California, who was born and raised in Mexico.

As a Research Assistant and writer for The Beacon, Marco enjoys applying what he learns in the classroom to real-world issues through research and writing that informs, engages, and encourages critical thinking.

Marco chose Graziadio for its close knit learning environment and commitment to developing purpose-driven leaders who understand the broader impact businesses can have on society. One of his most memorable experiences was competing in an MBA case competition, where his MSB cohort developed and pitched an innovative business strategy for Bombardier and ultimately took home the win.

We’re proud to see Marco making waves both inside and outside the classroom!🌊

In a recent Inside Retail feature, Graziadio faculty member Kimber Maderazzo discusses Glossier's heritage-driven marketing campaign, offering practical insights on why legacy beauty brands must evolve their messaging to match the changing skincare needs of an aging millennial consumer base.

Read more below: https://bit.ly/4vSP5dw

Pepperdine Graziadio Marketing Professor Cristel Antonia Russell spoke with Inside Retail about strategic brand activations for the 2026 World Cup, explaining that companies must establish intuitive, authentic congruency and emotional resonance rather than relying on surface-level sponsorships.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4wNzs83

This week’s Waves Wednesday features Andrew Cheung, a 2022 Online MBA graduate and Managing Partner of his consulting firm serving the personal care, beauty, and pharmaceutical industries.

With a background in Biology and Chemistry and a concentration in Digital Innovation & Information Systems, Andrew shares how Graziadio helped shape him into a more well-rounded leader by strengthening his business acumen alongside his technical expertise. Today, he helps clients leverage technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics as part of their business strategy to gain a competitive edge.

Andrew says the Business of Beauty Club was a big driver behind starting his podcast, Manufacturing Made Simple where he provides a resource for professionals and those curious about the inner workings of the industries he serves.
We’re proud to see Andrew continuing to make waves in the Graziadio community and beyond! 🌊💙