This week the panel welcomes Amber and Abdullah, two doctoral students, who discuss knowledge management.

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 dynamics

• The future of inclusive team dynamics and product development

• Lessons from managing change in fast-paced corporate environments

Tune 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.