Deryck van Rensburg — Pepperdine University

Dean, Graziadio School of Business

THE LATEST: In September, the Graziadio School’s full-time MBA program ranked No. 68 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, up 15 spots from the previous year. The part-time MBA program ranked No. 73. That was followed in January with a No. 26 ranking by U.S. News for the school’s online MBA program. In December, the Graziadio School partnered with 2U Inc. to launch two new programs for working professionals, one in fintech and the other in digital marketing. In November, with corporate sponsors Aon and Anaplan Inc., Graziadio launched a course on technology in business operations.
BACKGROUND: Van Rensburg joined Pepperdine in 2016 as Graziadio’s ninth dean following a three-decade career in international business. He previously held executive posts with Unilever as well as Coca Cola Co., where van Rensburg served as president of global ventures and as president of venturing and emerging brands. He holds degrees from the University of Manchester, the University of Bath and Rhodes University.
YEARS ON THE LA500: 4
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