Team
We are a group of scholar-practitioners with diverse backgrounds and research interests, but who share a commitment to generating useful insights that serve to uplift and change society, based on rigorous research.
Cristina B Gibson is University Professor, Pepperdine University and Dean’s Distinguished Professor of Management in the Applied Behavioral Science group at Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business. Her area of expertise is the nexus of organizational behavior, international management, and cross-cultural psychology. Her work has informed organizational policy, structure, training and development agendas improving well-being, social impact, innovation, and resource allocation in non-profits, entrepreneurial firms, and large multinationals across the world. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Management, Academy of International Business, American Psychological Association, and Academy of Social Science Australia.
Sharifa is VP of ESG & Safety at Ports America, the largest stevedore company in the U.S. A published author and frequent speaker on diversity, inequality, and leadership, she leads the company’s Environment, Health, and Safety programs with expertise in risk mitigation and resiliency planning. She serves on the NMSA Technical Committee and is President of Beta Pi Sigma Sorority, Tau Chapter.
Mark is a veteran Fortune 500 executive, retired Chief Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Engineering Officer at Eastman following a 36-year career. He founded and operates a management consulting firm serving family-owned enterprises to Fortune 500 clients. A National Academy of Construction inductee, board member, and sought-after speaker, his work spans safety leadership, ethics, career development, and supply chain dynamics. He holds degrees from the University of Tennessee and Northwestern University.
Dr. Carol Lusk
Carol is an Assistant Professor of Management at Lipscomb University's College of Business. Her research focuses on leadership, diversity, and inclusion, with an emphasis on the advancement of women in leadership. Her doctoral dissertation explores the complex dynamics at the intersection of faith, gender, and leadership attainment. Her research and teaching reflect a deep dedication to cultivating inclusive and values-driven business environments.
Tad is an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business and ASU's Thunderbird School of Global Management. His research examines how organizational systems and structures affect innovation performance and efficiency. His consulting work bridges academic inquiry with practical experience leading innovation, product development, and technology commercialization in the hard-tech industry.
Kimberly is an Assistant Professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' College of Business and Security Management. Her research explores participatory governance, organizational design, and social impact, with a focus on novel organizational forms. She has studied shareholder participation in Alaska Native Corporations and brings global industry experience in communications, strategy, and marketing across Asia, Europe, and North America.
Ruth is an Assistant Professor of Accounting at the University of Alaska's College of Business and Security Management. A CPA, CFE, CIA, and CGMA, her research explores the experiences of Latinas in accounting, a significantly underrepresented group. Prior to academia, she worked at EY and Deloitte. She is passionate about mentoring students and advancing diversity and inclusion within the accounting profession.
Kevin is a scholar-practitioner bridging organizational behavior and digital innovation. With 15+ years of e-commerce leadership at Zappos, Target, lululemon, and Dollar Shave Club, he specializes in digital transformation and product management strategy. An adjunct professor at Cal State Fullerton, postdoctoral fellow at Pepperdine, TEDx speaker, and co-host of the Product Ops Podcast, his research examines how organizations can scale technical velocity while preserving human dignity.
DeJuan is Founder of The Networking Dr.™ and a postdoctoral researcher at Pepperdine University Graziadio Business School, where she collaborates with Dr. Gibson examining how Black women founders navigate professional networks. With 20+ years spanning federal business development and marketing communications, her proprietary R.I.S.E. Framework™ translates doctoral research into actionable strategy for professionals and organizations pursuing equitable, sustainable growth.
Dr. Melanie Venture
Melanie is a marketing and branding professional specializing in enterprise workforce experiences at Cencora. Her research focuses on cross-sector partnerships for social impact, examined through a multiple case study of six business-nonprofit partnerships and their approaches to achieving meaningful change. She is passionate about blending business acumen with social impact in organizations seeking to shape a better world.