Elevating Voices in Leadership

In this episode of Elevating Voices of Leadership, we’re honored to welcome Nicole Kramer—a powerhouse in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry with nearly two decades of experience driving innovation, building inclusive teams, and shaping the future of workplace leadership.Nicole has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry—Deans, Coca-Cola, and Kellanova (formerly Kellogg’s)—leading cross-functional teams and overseeing the launch and retirement of over 100 products annually at a major Coca-Cola bottling operation. Her expertise isn’t just in what gets to market—but in how people grow, evolve, and thrive within complex organizational ecosystems.In this conversation, Nicole dives into:How to lead with empathy while delivering bold innovation and creating positive workplace dynamicsThe future of inclusive team dynamics and product developmentLessons from managing change in fast-paced corporate environmentsTune in for a conversation on workplace dynamics and leadership impact.

On this episode of Elevating Voices of Leadership, we're excited to feature Dr. Christopher Hoang, a thought leader in educational technology and an advocate for equity who’s shaping the future of learning—both in and out of the classroom.Dr. Hoang holds a Doctorate in Learning Technology from Pepperdine University and serves as Assistant Director of Technology Innovation & Outreach at the Los Angeles County Office of Education. In this role, he leads district-wide tech initiatives, chairs the LACOE AI Taskforce, secures funding, and champions AI planning to support equitable access across 80 school districts.An adjunct professor at Pepperdine, he equips future educators with essential tools in instructional technology, remote learning design, and inclusive education practices. As a recognized keynote speaker and finalist for the AI Educator of the Year Awards, his influence extends to national summits on AI ethics and cybersecurity in education

On this episode of Elevating Voices of Leadership, we’re honored to host Gigi Williamson as our Student of the Month—a distinguished consultant, published researcher, and international communications expert with a unique lens on civil discourse, executive function, and transformative learning.Gigi’s academic and professional path charts the future of thoughtful leadership:🎓 Foundations in Language & Strategy: BA in French Linguistics (Wellesley), MBA from Dartmouth—bringing a rich interplay of human expression and business acumen.🧠 Researcher & Designer: Currently in her 4th year of a PhD program at Pepperdine (GSEP), with coursework completed in Spring 2024 (4.0 GPA). A recipient of Pepperdine grants in both 2024 and 2025, she’s preparing for her dissertation defense in 2025, rooted in communication science, special education pedagogy, and remote learning technologies.With two decades of executive-level experience in startups spanning London, Prague, New York, and the Bay Area, Gigi knows how to scale ideas and teams across borders—whether in-person or virtually.

On this episode of Elevating Voices of Leadership, we welcome Dawn Marie‑Luna, a bilingual licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, professor, and visionary guide whose work blends culturally responsive care with deep emotional healing. Based in Long Beach, California—and licensed in both CA and Texas—Dawn brings over a decade of clinical experience with children, families, and first responders to the forefront of transformative mental health and leadership.A proud Latina and fierce advocate for healing justice, Dawn created the ALBA Method—a heart-centered framework rooted in Attachment, Love, Breath, and Action. She draws from liberation psychology, trauma-informed practices, and mindfulness-based approaches to help clients not just survive—but reclaim joy, voice, and wholeness.

Dr. Maher Abdelwahab is a seasoned entrepreneur, educator, and global leader with over 25 years of expertise in leadership, tourism management, and business development. With a proven track record of founding and leading successful tourism enterprises across Norway, the USA, and Egypt, he has brought thousands of travelers on culturally enriching experiences, fostering global connections through travel and education.Holding a PhD in Global Leadership from Pepperdine University, along with master's degrees in Business Administration and Tourism Management, and bachelor's degrees in Business Administration and Touristic Guidance, Dr. Abdelwahab blends academic excellence with hands-on industry experience. As a multilingual professional fluent in English, Arabic, and Norwegian, with conversational proficiency in French, he is adept at cross-cultural communication and strategic planning, making him a sought-after voice in sustainable tourism and leadership.A passionate advocate for cultural heritage tourism and sustainable travel, Dr. Abdelwahab is actively involved in global industry organizations such as the International Air Transportation Association (IATA), Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA), and the Norwegian Tourism Board. He also shares his expertise as a guest lecturer and public speaker at academic institutions and professional forums, covering topics such as leadership, tourism, and business culture.With a deep commitment to mentoring and developing future leaders, Dr. Abdelwahab excels in instructional design, curriculum development, and digital learning, ensuring an engaging educational experience for students and professionals alike. In this podcast, he brings his wealth of knowledge and insights to the forefront, inspiring listeners with thought-provoking discussions on leadership, tourism, and the power of global connectivity.

As a psychotherapist, psychology professor, and expert in sport psychology, Dr. Conn's work has centered on the psychological well-being of athletes and at-risk youth. Throughout my career, he has developed and implemented innovative sports psychology programs, including those for MLB’s Urban Youth Academy and the Drew League, focusing on mental resilience, performance enhancement, and identity development. Dr. Conn's research has also explored the psychological impact of sports injuries, neurodegenerative disorders, and ADHD interventions, providing critical insights into the long-term effects of athletics on mental health.Join us as we discuss and highlight Dr. Conn's latest publication in the Journal of Performance Psychology, Interventions for At-Risk Adolescents: Self-Esteem and Empowerment as Predictors of Increased Work Effort. He will discuss key findings on how self-esteem and empowerment are critical factors in improving motivation and effort among at-risk adolescents.

Join us as we host our next student of the month, Erika Barnes-Ford, who is one of our doctoral students at Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology.A little bit about her: Erika Barnes Ford is a Political Strategist based in Roswell, Georgia. Her firm, The Candidates Coach, a subsidiary of Southern Solutions, LLC - which provides project management, business consulting, and political strategy - is a full-service campaign management and consulting agency focused on candidate development, recruitment, and messaging. Ms. Barnes Ford's experience includes process improvement and strategic planning in municipal and nonprofit management, legislative development, advocacy, and contracting. Active in a wide variety of community and political affairs for nearly three decades, her emphasis has focused on quality-of-life issues, including creative public policy, social justice reform, and working to change historical narratives and biases. Erika presently serves on the Executive Boards of several organizations, including the Mack Henry Brown Remembrance Coalition in collaboration with the Equal Justice Initiative, the Forward Together Foundation and The Humanity Group both focused on DEIB training and development, and the North Fulton NAACP, where she is the recently elected Branch President representing the six cities of North Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. Erika is a Woodruff Scholar Graduate of Agnes Scott College with a BA in History/ Africana Studies. She earned her Master of Public Administration at Troy University (Alabama) and is presently in the dissertation process at Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology in the Global Leadership and Change Ph.D. Program. Her research emphasis includes understanding the impacts of barriers to the electability of Black women to political office, benefits of inclusive and empathetic leadership, mitigating racial bias, and social justice inclusive K-12 curriculum development, as well as an interest in immigration policy reform. She has resided in Roswell since 2014.

Please join us as we interview our student of the month for December 2024, our PhD candidate, Tracey Heggins-Jackson. Tracey is attending Pepperdine University GSEP and is in the Global Leadership and Change program. She is currently a candidate, working on her Women Leaders ints dissertation, the Creative Arts. Tracey is an independent creative artist, dedicated scholar, and advocate for gender equity in the arts. She is a proud mother and wife, drawing strength and inspiration from her family and creative pursuits. Currently completing her doctoral work at Pepperdine University, she focuses on empowering women in the creative industries to use storytelling and collaboration to challenge false narratives and foster equity. She is most proud of being a part of the Pepperdine community and looks forward to completing her dissertation.

Join us as Dr. Lina Safa and Dr. Maria Brahme speak to Ileana Muniz, who is a dedicated higher education professional. She speaks about her research on mothers pursuing higher education and the sense of belonging they feel while attending as students in various universities. Ileana holds a Master of Science in Leadership in Higher Education from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Chicano Latino Studies from California State University, Long Beach. With a robust background in Student Affairs, she has excelled as a Financial Aid Counselor and Student Services Coordinator, demonstrating her commitment to student-centered practices and a focus on holistic student development. Ileana’s passion is deeply rooted in supporting underrepresented students and fostering their academic success and personal growth through guidance, motivation, and empowerment. This passion stems from Ileana’s journey as a first-generation Mexican American and working mother pursuing higher education. Ileana’s most cherished role in life is being a wife and mother to her three wonderful children, who are her biggest inspiration in life and the driving force behind her dedication to empowering and uplifting others.

Join Dr. Lina Safa and GSEP student Peyton Corrigan as they speak on educators and career transition. The skills of K-12 educators need to be more understood, as exposure to teachers through personal academic experiences gives people a false perception of what the job entails. With low pay, lack of opportunity to grow professionally, and increased pressure and criticism for student testing performance, many educators want to leave the classroom and start a new career. Peyton's research describes the steps mid-career educators with years of teaching experience can take to pivot careers successfully. Data collected through informal interviews with former teachers who have transitioned out of the classroom provides insight into K-12 educators' transferable skills, how those skills can help them be marketable for new careers, and what role their purpose and calling to teach plays in a career transition. Peyton Corrigan graduated from Biola University with a degree in Elementary Education and has taught in South Central, Los Angeles, for 5 years. She recently graduated from Pepperdine's Graduate School of Education and Psychology with a Masters of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning. She recently moved to Texas to pursue a career outside of classroom teaching and is excited to see where her new degree and career pursuit will take her.

Join us and our guest, GSEP student Nicole Kramer as she discusses workplace dynamics, the impact leaders have on work environments, and what we need to do to remain competitive while being prepared for the vulnerability and uncertainty of the new workforce entering. With 19 years of experience in the CPG industry, Nicole has collaborated with major companies like Deans, Coca-Cola, and Kellanova (formerly the Kellogg's Company). She has led successful teams and played a crucial role in driving innovation, introducing and sunsetting over 100 products yearly at a Coca-Cola bottling operation. Nicole's wealth of knowledge and diverse expertise enable her to empower individuals and foster growth in the workplace. Additionally, as a dedicated mother and spouse, her close-knit family brings me joy and strength, reflecting my values of love and support. She strives to create an inclusive learning environment that respects everyone's unique contributions to develop an unstoppable future workforce.

This episode features our student, Anna Margaryan, as she examines the challenges faced by school districts as they contend with the demand to provide equitable educational opportunities for a growing number of students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD). Her research seeks to understand remedies by proposing a comprehensive school-within-a-school model that embeds academic, social-emotional, and behavioral supports. Join us on this episode to learn more about this fascinating research!

Join us on this special episode hosted by Dr. Lina Safa and Dr. Maria Brahme where a panel of former GSEP students who have achieved their doctorates discuss their journeys of becoming mothers or being mothers while working on their doctoral degrees. If you're pursuing your doctorate while having a baby or taking care of your children, you will definitely want to listen to this episode.

Join us in this episode as our co-host, Dr. Lina Safa speaks to guest, Pepperdine GSEP student Peyton Corrigan on her study on transferable teachers, and mid-career changes occurring in the K-12 space. The skills of K-12 educators need to be more understood, as exposure to teachers through personal academic experiences gives people a false perception of what the job entails. With low pay, lack of opportunity to grow professionally, and increased pressure and criticism for student testing performance, many educators want to leave the classroom and start a new career. This presentation describes the steps mid-career educators with years of teaching experience can take to pivot careers successfully. Data collected through informal interviews with former teachers who have transitioned out of the classroom provides insight into K-12 educators' transferable skills, how those skills can help them be marketable for new careers, and what role their purpose and calling to teach plays in a career transition. Peyton Corrigan graduated Biola University with a degree in Elementary Education, and has taught in South Central, Los Angeles for 5 years. She recently graduated from Pepperdine's Graduate School of Education and Psychology with a Masters of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning. She recently moved to Texas to pursue a career outside of classroom teaching, and is excited to see where her new degree and career pursuit will take her.

Join us on this episode as we talk to doctoral student Destiny Okonkwo about academic creative spaces. This insightful conversation brings a new perspective on creativity and whether or not spaces to be creative are brought into play within academia. You can read Destiny's bio to get to know more about her. Destiny k. Okonkwo is a Portfolio Project Manager , Digital Content Creator, and Doctoral Student, specializing in purpose driven operations, compartmentalized organizational management and creative digital content. She is currently studying to attain an Education Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, from Pepperdine University, School of Education and Psychology, with research interest in purpose driven curriculum in high school and impacts to adulthood life and career gratification. Within her current role, she is an IT Project Manager at Easterseals Southern California within the Information Technology department of the organization. Destiny began her career as a Tutor for underprivileged kids and a Client Care Coordinator focused on operations project management after attaining her Bachelor of Arts in Communication specializing in Mass Communication from California State University San Bernardino. She later went on to attain her Master of Science in Management specializing in Project Management from the University of Maryland Shady Grove Global Campus, while working in resource optimization project management roles for various DoD agencies and pharmaceutical companies. Subsequently, she continues to apply leadership and project management expertise to various IT programs and digital marketing initiatives

Many women scholars with disabilities, like Dr. Toby Baker, have exemplified the roles of leader, scholar, and teacher. As a woman with a learning disability and ADHD, her research reflects on the actionable steps she has taken to be successful as an academic researcher and scholar. Using relevant data based on her 2021 case study, Dr. Baker shows why post-secondary students with disabilities (SWDs) drop out of college settings and offers solutions for the academic success of SWDs. Additionally, she shares perspectives of college faculty and provide steps for succeeding in college. Most importantly, she relates her own experience as a post-secondary student with a disability. Dr. Baker discusses the challenges faced during college as an undergrad and graduate student, and shares her stories of perseverance, overcoming adversity, and emerging as a respected scholar. Join us in this episode as she discusses her latest book, The Traveling IEP!

Join us in this pivotal episode as we talk with our colleague, Dr. Sharletta Green about the upcoming election, what Project 2025 is and how the elections will impact us in ways which we may not be aware of. Please note that all opinions are solely of those on the panel and in no way does this reflect the opinions, beliefs and values of Pepperdine University or the Graduate School of Education and Psychology.

Join us in this episode as we speak to our doctoral candidates, Jennifer Banegas and Lizeth Sandoval understanding how DEIB initiatives impact Hispanic graduate students' retention rates. They discuss the significance of furthering this research and create a dialogue on this topic, which will contribute to supporting students and offer a more rounded approach to graduate student retention.

Join us in this episode as we speak to our doctoral candidate, Stephanie Viggiano on Autism, ADHD and creating safe spaces for people who deal with these issues. She speaks on her experience speaking on her research in this area at the HICE conference back in January 2023. Please tune in and listen to this episode.

In this episode, Dr. Gabby, and the co-hosts talk with Jessica Arriaza, our doctoral student in the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology program, about her experince in the Hawaii International Conference. This was her first time presenting at a conference and it was a pleasure for us to hear her speak about her experience and recommendations for those who want to be in a conference in the future.