Pepperdine University Executive and Leadership Team

James Gash, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Pepperdine University, directs the overarching academic mission and institutional strategy. Overseeing the university's long-term vision, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between faculty research goals and student success outcomes. This leadership role involves managing complex relationships with the Board of Regents while driving initiatives that enhance the reputation of the institution within the higher education sector. By prioritizing academic rigor and community engagement, James Gash directly impacts the university's ability to attract top-tier talent and maintain high standards of excellence. Gash secures the future of the institution through careful resource allocation and the promotion of core values that define the campus culture. Through consistent focus on innovation, the President & Chief Executive Officer advances the university's standing as a premier provider of graduate and undergraduate education.

Greg Ramirez, the Chief Financial Officer at Pepperdine University, manages the fiscal health and budgetary planning for the entire institution. Overseeing the allocation of capital resources, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that financial operations support the university's mission of providing high-quality education. This leadership role involves coordinating with department heads to optimize spending while maintaining the long-term sustainability of the university's endowment and operational funds. By implementing robust financial controls, Greg Ramirez directly impacts the institution's capacity to invest in new facilities and academic programs. Ramirez monitors economic trends to mitigate risks and identify opportunities for growth across the university's diverse campuses. Through diligent oversight of financial reporting and compliance, the Chief Financial Officer maintains the integrity of the university's fiscal practices, ensuring that all resources align with the strategic objectives established by the executive leadership team.

Katelyn Crowe, the Advisor To the Chief Financial Officer at Pepperdine University, provides strategic analysis and support for complex financial decision-making processes. Overseeing the evaluation of budgetary proposals, the Advisor To the Chief Financial Officer ensures that financial planning remains consistent with the university's long-term growth objectives. This leadership role involves conducting detailed audits of departmental expenditures and identifying areas for operational efficiency. By synthesizing financial data into actionable insights, Katelyn Crowe directly impacts the quality of information available to the executive team. Crowe facilitates communication between the finance department and other administrative units to ensure transparency and accountability. Through the rigorous assessment of fiscal policies, the Advisor To the Chief Financial Officer strengthens the university's financial foundation, allowing the institution to allocate resources effectively toward its core mission of providing exceptional higher education and graduate programs.

Gary Hanson, the Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer at Pepperdine University, directs the administrative functions and operational logistics of the institution. Overseeing the management of campus facilities and auxiliary services, the Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer ensures that the physical environment supports the university's educational mission. This leadership role involves coordinating with various departments to streamline processes and improve service delivery across all campuses. By optimizing operational workflows, Gary Hanson directly impacts the efficiency of the university's daily activities. Hanson drives initiatives that enhance campus safety and sustainability, ensuring that the university remains a premier destination for students and faculty. Through the effective management of human resources and administrative systems, the Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer maintains the operational excellence required to support the university's long-term growth and commitment to academic quality.

Shea O'Reilly, the President & Founder at Pepperdine University, provides visionary leadership and maintains the foundational principles of the institution. Overseeing the preservation of the university's core values, the President & Founder ensures that all new programs remain consistent with the original mission established in 1937. This leadership role involves engaging with alumni and donors to secure the future of the university's graduate and undergraduate offerings. By championing the institution's unique identity, Shea O'Reilly directly impacts the university's ability to attract students who value its specific educational philosophy. O'Reilly drives the development of long-term partnerships that expand the university's reach and influence. Through the consistent promotion of the institution's heritage, the President & Founder ensures that the university continues to provide high-quality education while adapting to the evolving needs of the modern academic landscape.

Abigail Meng, the Let's Argue President at Pepperdine University, leads student-focused initiatives that promote critical thinking and civil discourse. Overseeing the organization of debate forums and academic discussions, the Let's Argue President ensures that students have a platform to engage with complex ideas. This leadership role involves coordinating with faculty advisors to create programs that enhance the intellectual life of the campus. By fostering an environment of open inquiry, Abigail Meng directly impacts the development of communication skills among the student body. Meng drives the expansion of debate-related activities that align with the university's commitment to academic excellence. Through the management of student-led events, the Let's Argue President contributes to the vibrant campus culture, ensuring that students are prepared to participate effectively in the broader academic and professional communities.

Ava Fritzel, the Panhellenic President at Pepperdine University, directs the activities and governance of the university's sorority community. Overseeing the coordination of recruitment and philanthropic events, the Panhellenic President ensures that all chapters adhere to the university's standards of conduct and community values. This leadership role involves facilitating communication between student organizations and the university administration to promote a positive campus experience. By fostering leadership development among members, Ava Fritzel directly impacts the quality of student life and community engagement. Fritzel drives initiatives that encourage service and academic achievement within the sorority system. Through the management of inter-chapter relations, the Panhellenic President supports the university's mission of creating a supportive and inclusive environment, ensuring that student organizations contribute meaningfully to the overall success and reputation of the institution.

Johnathan See, the Chief Information Officer at Pepperdine University, architects the digital infrastructure and technology strategy required for modern higher education. Overseeing the integration of advanced learning management systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures that students and faculty possess the tools necessary for academic success. This leadership role involves managing cybersecurity protocols and data privacy standards to protect the university's intellectual property and student records. By modernizing campus networks, Johnathan See directly impacts the efficiency of administrative and academic workflows. See drives the adoption of cloud-based solutions to support remote learning and global research collaborations. Through the implementation of scalable technology platforms, the Chief Information Officer enables the university to maintain a competitive edge in the digital landscape, ensuring that all technological investments directly support the broader educational goals of the institution.

Kevin Phan, the Senior Associate Chief Information Officer at Pepperdine University, manages the day-to-day operations of the university's information technology services. Overseeing the technical support teams and hardware maintenance, the Senior Associate Chief Information Officer ensures that campus systems remain reliable and accessible for all users. This leadership role involves coordinating the deployment of software updates and managing the lifecycle of campus computing equipment. By optimizing the performance of internal networks, Kevin Phan directly impacts the productivity of staff and students alike. Phan executes projects related to infrastructure upgrades and system integrations that support the university's academic mission. Through the careful management of technical resources, the Senior Associate Chief Information Officer maintains the stability of the digital environment, ensuring that all information technology services align with the broader strategic goals of the university's leadership team.

Danny DeWalt, the Vice President & Chief of Staff at Pepperdine University, manages the executive office and facilitates communication between the president and other leadership teams. Overseeing the implementation of strategic initiatives, the Vice President & Chief of Staff ensures that the university's mission remains the primary focus of all administrative actions. This leadership role involves coordinating high-level meetings and managing the flow of information to the president. By fostering collaboration across departments, Danny DeWalt directly impacts the cohesion of the university's leadership structure. DeWalt drives the execution of special projects that address emerging challenges and opportunities within the higher education sector. Through the careful management of executive priorities, the Vice President & Chief of Staff ensures that the university's leadership team remains aligned and effective in achieving the institution's goals for academic and operational success.