Robert S. Murley earned his MBA at Anderson in 1974, when it was still named UCLA Graduate School of Management. Despite initial plans to work in Southern California, he began a peripatetic and successful banking career that took him to the London School of Economics, Wall Street, and finally Chicago, where he is chairman of investment banking in the Americas for Credit Suisse, and celebrating 40 years with the company.
About six years ago Dean Judy Olian invited Murley to become more involved with his alma mater. He started by serving as guest speaker for several classes, embracing the opportunity to reconnect with Anderson. Soon thereafter, he accepted an appointment to the Anderson Board of Visitors.
Having launched his career from humble beginnings, Murley gives generously of his time, energy and financial resources to the institutions that have been important in his life. He is gratified to be deeply involved in helping UCLA Anderson.
He is “a credit to his roots,” as Robert Preer writes in the Centennial issue of Assets.
When seeking help and advice on how UCLA Anderson can flourish and grow, the school’s administration looks to its BOV. The approximately 60-member panel is made up of senior executives and entrepreneurs from around the globe. “Members are critical advisors and allies to us in advancing the excellence and global impact of UCLA Anderson,” Olian says. “These extraordinary leaders and role models enlarge our vision and help us prepare the future leaders of business and community organizations around the world.”
In the past, the state of California funded a large share of the school’s operations, but in 2013, UC President Mark Yudof approved UCLA Anderson’s proposal to convert the state-supported full-time MBA program to self-supporting status. The program no longer receives state funds.
As BOV chair, Murley is committed to helping the dean “accomplish the mission of vaulting the school into the very top tier of business schools worldwide.” One of the keys to achieving this, he says, is convincing alumni to rethink their financial support for UCLA Anderson. “Changing the mindset of our alumni base is a very important goal for the school,” says Murley. “We need to educate them on the important role that philanthropy has to play in achieving our objectives.”
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