UCLA Anderson School of Management Blog

Easton Panel Optimistic about the Future of Educational Technology

Left to right: Kirk Werner, Kenny Berlin, Debra Quazzo, Michael King, Dean Judy Olian

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By Carolyn Gray Anderson

“Educational technology” often makes headlines when K-12 schools fail to implement computer learning in the classroom or when distance learning programs don’t deliver what they promise. That said, advances in technology have created a more global economy that needs a globally minded workforce. Lifelong learning is, increasingly, the key to adapting to career demands well after classroom instruction has ended for many professionals and it’s here that such technology is essential.

[email protected] and the Easton Technology Management Center recently invited leaders in EdTech to discuss their efforts to bring the global education landscape into the 21st century. Dean Judy Olian moderated the panel, which included Michael King (’96), VP and general manager of global education industry at IBM; Deborah Quazzo, founder and partner of GSV Advisors and GSV Acceleration; Kirk Werner, director of content production and instructional design at LinkedIn and Lynda.com; and Kenny Berlin (’11), CEO and co-founder of the 12Twenty career services software platform.

Panel members were unanimous in their optimism about the future of technological innovations in learning, including in public schools. IBM’s King and GSV’s Quazzo named districts in the U.S. that are making strides — D.C., Atlanta, New Orleans. And Werner and Berlin cited the unprecedented access to information as the key to more effective teaching and learning. Werner, a veteran of popular online tutorial platform Lynda.com — which was acquired last year for $1.5 billion by LinkedIn, which was in its turn acquired by Microsoft for just over $26 billion — said this accelerated spread of information vastly expands the traditional classroom and the potential for both study and instruction.

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist Michael Hiltzik to Steer Conversation at 2016 John Wooden Global Leadership Award Dinner

By Carolyn Gray Anderson

On November 2, the John Wooden Global Leadership Award, presented annually by UCLA Anderson, will be given to W. James McNerney, Jr., retired chairman, CEO and president of The Boeing Company. The award recognizes exemplary corporate leadership and service to the community by a professional whose career embodies the leadership ideals of Coach Wooden, with proceeds from the dinner funding four $25,000 John Wooden Global Leadership Fellowships.

This year’s ceremony will be held at the California Science Center and features an on-stage conversation between McNerney and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Michael Hiltzik. During Hiltzik’s three decades with the Los Angeles Times, he has served as a financial and political writer, an investigative reporter, a technology writer and editor, and a foreign correspondent in Africa and Russia. He currently serves as the Times’s business columnist and hosts its business blog, The Economy Hub.

Hiltzik earned the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for articles exposing corruption in the entertainment industry. His other awards for excellence in reporting include the 2004 Gerald Loeb Award for outstanding business commentary and the Silver Gavel from the American Bar Association for outstanding legal reporting. His books include New York Times best-seller Colossus: Hoover Dam and the Making of the American Century (2010), The New Deal: A Modern History (2011), The Plot Against Social Security (2005), Dealers of Lightning: Xerox PARC and the Dawn of the Computer Age (1999) and A Death in Kenya: The Murder of Julie Ward (1991).

His latest book, Big Science: Ernest Lawrence and the Invention that Launched the Military-Industrial Complex, details the untold story of how science went “big,” built the bombs that helped win World War II and became dependent on government and industry — and the figure behind the movement, UC Berkeley scientist Ernest O. Lawrence.

Follow Michael Hiltzik @hiltzikm

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The 2016 John Wooden Global Leadership Award honors W. James McNerney, Jr., retired chairman, CEO and president of The Boeing Company. The event will be held on Wednesday, November 2, at the California Science Center, starting at 6:00 p.m. Business attire is required. For event and ticket information, contact [email protected]. Proceeds from the event fund fellowships for four UCLA Anderson students who are being awarded John Wooden Global Leadership Fellowships. This year’s recipients are Doug Larratt (EMBA ’17), Corey McMillen (’17), Datra Oliver (FEMBA ’18) and Eric Potocek (FEMBA ’18).

#JohnWooden #WoodenAwards

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Where Business Integrity Meets National Security: John Wooden Global Leadership Fellow Eric Potocek

By Carolyn Gray Anderson

For FBI Special Agent Eric Potocek (FEMBA ’18), the “intentness” and “enthusiasm” blocks are the most important in the John Wooden Pyramid of Success. “These are essential qualities. You must be personally driven to protect America.”

Potocek specializes in entertainment fraud, investigating and going after high-yield schemes that target unwitting mom and pop investors. In 2015 he closed the case on the Gigapix Studios investment scheme that defrauded hundreds of people who believed they were investing in a 3-D animated version of The Wizard of Oz. Previously, Potocek worked with the Special Inspector General for the Bush Administration’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where he interviewed TARP’s key decision makers and examined the government bailout package provided to Citigroup.

Before that, Potocek was an auditor at Deloitte. He's one of four UCLA Anderson students receiving a 2016 John Wooden Global Leadership Fellowship.

Like Coach Wooden, Potocek was highly inspired by his father (also a white collar agent for the FBI and also once employed at Deloitte), who advised him, simply, “Always do the right thing.” In his line of work, he sees first hand that so often the victims of Ponzi schemes and other investment frauds are elderly people in rural heartland areas — unsuspecting targets, even Alzheimer’s patients, persuaded to hand over their life’s savings. Potocek enrolled at UCLA Anderson to develop the management and leadership skills that would enable him to make a greater direct impact on curbing greed.

“It’s incredibly motivating when you’re the last line of defense for the people you’re trying to protect. If you don’t find justice for them, the bad guys win.”

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The 2016 John Wooden Global Leadership Award honors W. James McNerney, Jr., retired chairman, CEO and president of the Boeing Company. The event will be held on Wednesday, November 2, at the California Science Center, starting at 6:00 p.m. Business attire is required. For event and ticket information, contact [email protected]. Proceeds from the event fund fellowships for four UCLA Anderson students who are being awarded John Wooden Global Leadership Fellowships.

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Candid Comments by “Recovering Capitalist” Bobby Turner on Social Impact Investing

By Anna Goldberg (’18)

Students in the UCLA Anderson chapter of Net Impact and the Investment Finance Association gathered for the first High Impact Tea of the academic year to hear from guest K. Robert “Bobby” Turner, principal and CEO of Turner Impact Capital LLC. Although one might not associate students focused on positive social change with students interested in finance and investing, Turner proved stereotypes wrong in his candid talk about how profits and purpose work very well together.

Turner has established himself as a pioneer in the area of social impact investing and has spent the latter part of his career proving that a company does not need to sacrifice mission or capital in order to be successful in both. He spoke frankly about being a “recovering capitalist and philanthropist,” having started his career wanting only to make money. As a successful executive, he began donating to philanthropic organizations, but soon realized that giving money was only “treating the issues, and not curing them.” He went on to help define the “triple bottom line” investment movement, dedicating his professional career to providing not only sound financial returns for his investors, but also education, safety and sustainable options for communities around the U.S.

The audience was captivated by Turner’s honesty and realism, and we could have sat for hours listening to him speak. For the Anderson student body, who care about becoming successful business leaders as well as driving change in the world, Turner’s talk was the perfect embodiment of Anderson’s core values.

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Anna Goldberg is chief of staff to the president of UCLA Anderson’s Women’s Business Connection and director of academics and alumni for the Anderson chapter of Net Impact.

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UCLA Anderson FEMBA Round One Admission Advice

The October 26 deadline for round one applications to UCLA Anderson’s Fully Employed MBA Class of 2020 is fast approaching. Assistant Dean Dylan Stafford prepared a special podcast for in-process applicants.

Stafford shares application tips and answers some common questions. “We know this is a big weekend for you as you complete your application,” he writes in his UCLA FEMBA Works blog, “and we want to empower you. Remember,” he advises, “your MBA has already started. All of the introspection that you are doing as you’ve visited campus or heard a webinar or researched online — all of that effort is part of your MBA. The consideration you put into choosing your recommenders, the thought you are giving your essays, the words you choose for your resume, all of this is part of your MBA.”

In the podcast, Stafford covers:

- Which round is best for me?
- Transcripts
- Resumes
- GMAT/GRE
- Essays
- Letters of Recommendation
- SuperSaturday Interview Invitation
- Application Status Page

Read more and listen to the podcast.

Committed to the Mission: John Wooden Global Leadership Fellow Doug Larratt

By Carolyn Gray Anderson

A former Naval flight officer, test pilot and veteran of multiple carrier deployments over 21 years of service, Doug Larratt (EMBA ’17) learned the brotherhood of service as a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy, creating life-long bonds with friends who, like him, “bleed Navy blue and gold” (coincidentally Bruin colors as well). “There’s something about committing yourself to a higher cause and serving that cause with like-minded teammates,” he says. “The bond created is unique.”

Both of his own daughters are now UCLA Bruins, and Larratt feels he still serves by delivering high-quality systems to the young servicemen and women who defend our nation. He is one of four UCLA Anderson students receiving a 2016 John Wooden Global Leadership Fellowship on November 2.

Larratt is a program director at Orbital ATK, where he manages design, development and production of major air-launched missile systems. His current project, the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range (AARGM ER) is the next generation missile for FA-18 and F-35 JSF aircraft.

Following his Naval Academy studies, Larratt served in the Navy operationally, flying the A-6E Intruder and EA-6B Prowler aircraft. He attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, earned master’s degrees in aerospace engineering and strategic studies, and served in many flying and leadership positions while logging 2,260 total flight hours in 26 different aircraft and 501 carrier landings.

Larratt was sent on long deployments for many months at a time, while his wife, Bernadette, took care of their young daughters. “I am forever grateful. We moved eight times in 15 years of service.” He recalls flying through post-Gulf War oil fires in Kuwait, helping evacuate refugees from a volcano eruption in the Philippines, and celebrating Y2K on a carrier in the middle of the North Arabian Gulf. In 2007, he retired from the military and began working for Orbital ATK.

A Volunteer Spirit: John Wooden Global Leadership Fellow Corey McMillen

By Carolyn Gray Anderson

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Captain Corey McMillen (’17) is pursuing his MBA as much to attain his career goals as to make a difference for other military veterans. He specialized in logistics and operations and, in the months between departing the Marine Corps and starting his full-time MBA, he offered his skills pro bono to Wounded Warrior Homes in San Diego.

McMillen is one of four UCLA Anderson students who will receive a 2016 John Wooden Global Leadership Fellowship on November 2. He says early examples of leadership and service inspired his volunteer spirit.

Introduced to the teachings of Coach John Wooden as a teenager, McMillen says he only recently understood how deliberately the Pyramid of Success was built — and “the genius behind it,” as he puts it. “I don’t always think of myself as the smartest person in the room,” he laughs, “but I’m most likely the hardest working.”

The Fort Lauderdale native joined the Marine Corps Reserve in 2004 at age 17 with the consent of his mother, who eight years earlier had seized the reins of the family business when McMillen’s father — a cruise ship musical talent agent — died young. She wanted to see him complete his studies at the University of Central Florida, which McMillen combined with Officer Candidate School in 2005, becoming a full-time officer in 2008 and embarking on his first deployment in 2010, a second in 2011.

McMillen was stationed with a NATO unit in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, navigating and refining operations in a difficult international context when he found himself working under an officer of the Royal Air Force. “He was the smartest and most influential leader I have ever met. He consistently planned four or five steps ahead of everyone else and always knew the right question to ask, regardless of how chaotic or complex the environment,” McMillen says, recalling how he learned to own the challenge of sifting through information and language barriers, covering all contingencies to anticipate the needs of people and facilities while under attack.

Worldly Influence: John Wooden Global Leadership Fellow Datra Oliver

By Carolyn Gray Anderson

Datra Oliver (FEMBA ’18) describes herself as “a global citizen who embodies servant leadership.” She is one of four UCLA Anderson Student who will be awarded a 2016 John Wooden Global Leadership Fellowship on November 2.

Although she grew up in Nassau, Bahamas — an island measuring only 7 x 21 miles — Oliver has seen a lot of the world.

As a young teenager, Oliver met Nelson Mandela and was deeply impressed by his forgiveness and humility. Educated on a United World College scholarship in Victoria, British Colombia, she earned a B.A. from Macalester College in Minnesota. She served as a foreign service officer and met the likes of Condoleeza Rice and H.M. Queen Elizabeth II — both of whom influenced her sense of purpose and leadership. She worked in a hands-on capacity with Partners in Food Solutions to solve challenges of food production in Kenya. With a UK law degree and a background in economics and international affairs, Oliver now works with global distributors on contracting and compliance matters.

Both of Oliver’s parents were adult students and her son is a pivotal reason she is continuing her education at Anderson. She credits her entrepreneurial mother and grandmother as influences that demonstrated family sacrifice, recalling her mother’s adage, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” Along with preparation for the next stage of global leadership, the MBA is helping Oliver’s dreams to grow with her family.

Oliver echoes Coach Wooden in her personal philosophy that we do what we can, where we can for a higher purpose — regarding opportunities as small acts that evolve to serve the team’s needs. “Work hard. Give your best in every ‘game,’” she says. “That measure of success is truly yours.”

 

Catch Datra Oliver's recent FEMBA Drive Time podcast

 

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The 2016 John Wooden Global Leadership Award honors W. James McNerney, Jr., retired chairman, CEO and president of the Boeing Company. The event will be held on Wednesday, November 2, at the California Science Center, starting at 6:00 p.m. Business attire is required. For event and ticket information, contact [email protected]. Proceeds from the event fund fellowships for four UCLA Anderson students who are being awarded John Wooden Global Leadership Fellowships.

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Interested in Earning an MBA from UCLA Anderson?

On Saturday, October 15, UCLA Anderson will be opening its doors for its largest open house information event of the year, Access Anderson. In today’s post, hear directly from Rob Weiler (’91), associate dean of the full-time MBA program, who answers FAQ about this upcoming event for prospective applicants.

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Q: What is Access Anderson?

It’s an open house for individuals interested in learning more about the UCLA Anderson full-time MBA program. In one morning, attendees will get an inside take and advice on how and why to apply. Our MBA admissions team — the people actually reviewing all of the applications — will be on hand to answer questions and offer insider tips. Current students and recent alumni will also be there to share their own MBA journeys, from application through career ROI. The morning will end with a Networking Fair that will give attendees the opportunity to talk one-on-one with students, faculty and alumni in their specific areas of career interest. This is a really special half-day event, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn all about getting an MBA at UCLA Anderson from its own students, alumni, faculty and staff.

Q: Should people who have already attended another UCLA Anderson information event attend?

Yes! No matter what point in the MBA consideration process you may be in, from just considering an MBA to already applied, this is a once-in-a-year opportunity to take a deep dive into all that Anderson has to offer. Year after year, we hear from prospective applicants and students that it’s Anderson’s culture and environment that truly set us apart from other top schools. There’s no better way to find out if Anderson is the right fit for you than by coming to spend time with us, interacting with our students, faculty and staff. We are expecting more than 200 attendees, which means this day is also a great way to meet your future classmates, too.

Boeing’s James McNerney Honored with UCLA Anderson’s 2016 John Wooden Global Leadership Award

UCLA Anderson announces the recipient of the 2016 John Wooden Global Leadership Award, W. James McNerney, Jr.

McNerney is retired chairman, CEO and president of the Boeing Company. He joined Boeing on July 1, 2005, serving as president until December 2013, CEO until July 2015 and chairman until March 2016. During McNerney’s tenure, the company recaptured the global lead in commercial airplane deliveries with steady increases in production and a comprehensive update of its product line, and maintained a strong position in defense markets despite a downturn in U.S. military spending. McNerney restored Boeing’s historic leadership in human spaceflight with major new program wins and expanded its engineering and manufacturing footprint inside and outside the United States.

The UCLA Anderson community applauds McNerney’s contribution to business and thought leadership and congratulates him on this distinction, which is awarded annually to an exceptional corporate leader who espouses the principles exemplified by the legendary UCLA coach and teacher, John Wooden.

A prolific author and inspiring speaker, Coach Wooden dedicated his life to motivating individuals to achieve their highest potential. He instilled in others a sense of pride, a commitment to ethics and a respect for teamwork. These fundamental principles translate seamlessly from the sports arena to the realms of business, management and leadership. And they provide the cornerstone on which the John Wooden Global Leadership Program is built at UCLA Anderson.

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This year’s John Wooden Global Leadership Award ceremony takes place on Wednesday, November 2, at the California Science Center.

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