Catherine Kort (MA '96)
Executive Director of Alumni Affairs
(310) 506-4798
catherine.kort@pepperdine.edu

One of my proudest achievements and fondest memories before returning to take on a leadership role in Alumni Affairs was earning a masters degree in psychology from Pepperdine's Graduate School of Education and Psychology and receiving my diploma in Alumni Park amidst the backdrop of the Pacific. I am a product of the Northwest and grew up in Portland, Oregon cheering on the Portland Trailblazers. Over time, my loyalties have shifted to the Los Angeles Lakers (and the Pepperdine Waves!). Maintaining a supportive, collaborative team spirit within alumni affairs and an exceptional national network of highly committed alumni leaders is what I love most about my role in alumni affairs. I look forward to coming to work every day and am grateful for the opportunity to serve.

Giuseppe Nespoli ('04)
Director, Alumni Programs
(310) 506-4983
giuseppe.nespoli@pepperdine.edu 

 I returned to Pepperdine University in 2007 to work for the Alumni Association to serve more than 80,000 alumni who all hold Pepperdine close to their hearts and have shared experiences in common. Born and raised in Pepperdine's backyard, I attended Seaver College and graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics. I moved to Washington, D.C. and experienced the internal operations of our government, working on several congressional campaigns, fundraising events and national party messaging. While in our nation's capitol, I had the pleasure of serving on the D.C. Waves chapter board to engage alumni in the region and offer internships to Pepperdine students.

 Prior to my brief stint in American politics, I helped to manage and operate my family's Italian restaurant in the Coachella Valley before and during my time at Seaver College. I have a very loving family at home and at Pepperdine.

Kelly O'Rear ('07)
Associate Director, Alumni Operations
(310) 506-4697
kelly.orear@pepperdine.edu

The child of two alumni, Pepperdine has been in my vocabulary since I learned to walk. When it came time to choose a college, I wanted a place with a strong emphasis on both academics and faith. Pepperdine was a natural fit. I greatly enjoyed my student experience at Seaver College and was involved and took leadership in many campus organizations. When I graduated in  2007 with a BA in public relations and religion, I wanted to give back to the organization that had enriched my life so much. I jumped at the opportunity to work for the Alumni Association. I have worked in several capacities within this organization and have enjoyed experiences that each one offered.

Sandra Barsoum ('99)
Manager, Chapters and Regional Programs
(310) 506-6982
sandra.barsoum@pepperdine.edu

I am from California and graduated from Seaver College in 1999. I majored in business administration and minored in foreign languages. After graduation, I accepted a job as a client associate with Merrill Lynch. I worked for Merrill Lynch for eight years and decided to come back to Pepperdine to work with the Alumni Association, specifically dealing with chapters and regional programs. In my job, I represent the University to alumni, parents, and friends through regional events and activities. I speak three different languages: Arabic, Spanish and Italian. I love to travel and have lived in Florence and Paris. I am blessed with a lovely family and truly amazing friends. Some of my favorite activities include playing tennis, watching NBA and college basketball and traveling.

Erin Carrillo ('07)
(310) 506-4142
erin.carrillo@pepperdine.edu

I am originally from Colorado and moved to Malibu, CA to attend Pepperdine University. I graduated from Seaver College in 2007 and majored in business administration and political science. After graduation, I moved back to the Mile High state to take a position with an insurance company and later began work at a university. Being so far away from the University, I still wanted to be connected in some way. I had the pleasure of serving on the Mile High Waves alumni chapter board for two years as the Co-VP of Programming to engage alumni in the region. As a young alumna, I wanted to give back to the school that gave me so much through serving the university in a volunteer capacity. I could not think of anywhere better to serve! The Alumni Association is truly an amazing team and I am privileged with the opportunity to work with such talented individuals. I take pleasure in the challenging opportunity to contribute to the strengthening of the Pepperdine community by engaging alumni in a lifelong relationship with the University, its students, and fellow alumni through meaningful service and leadership. Some of my favorite activities include playing tennis, traveling, reading, and music (I play seven instruments). I am blessed with a loving, supportive family.

Allen Gillespie ('05)
Manager, Chapters and Regional Programs
(310) 506-6826
allen.gillespie@pepperdine.edu

Born and raised in Memphis, TN, I came to Pepperdine in the fall of 1998 as a freshman. I spent several years singing bass in the student group Won by One. I took a short sabbatical from my studies to marry my wife in northern California before any other guy could snatch her up. Although it produced an untraditional academic route, it is still one of the best choices I have made as we are now thoroughly enjoying our baby boy and celebrating eight years of marriage. We returned to Pepperdine in 2004, where  I graduated with the Seaver class of 2005 with a BA in religion. I have worked in several departments at Pepperdine and have completed coursework for my MA in religion. Over my ten-plus years of involvement in the Pepperdine community, I have fallen in love with its story that is continually being written by its people. I believe our motto, wisely chosen by our founder almost seventy-five years ago, holds the key of Pepperdine’s greatness – Freely ye have received, freely give.

Kala Grogg (’08)
Administrative Coordinator
(310) 506-6066
kala.grogg@pepperdine.edu

Growing up in a small town in middle Tennessee, I was an active member of the Greenridge Church of Christ. From the time I was in middle school, I knew I wanted to go to a university that was both academically rigorous and would provide opportunities for spiritual growth. Pepperdine was a perfect fit—my dream school! As a Seaver student, I spent most of my time between Smothers and the scene shop. My family mocked me for not enjoying the sun and sand so readily available, but I wouldn’t trade those long tech rehearsals and load-in weekends for anything. I graduated with a BA in theatre arts in 2008. I became a Pepperdine Sweetheart when I married my husband, John, in August of 2009. I am excited to be a part of the Alumni Affairs team and look forward to helping build and strengthen relationships in the Pepperdine community so that future students can continue to have the amazing college experience that I so enjoyed.

Lori Hahn
Chapters Coordinator
(310) 506-4925
lori.hahn@pepperdine.edu

I moved from Katy, Texas to Malibu, California during the summer of 2006, when my husband accepted the position of assistant professor at the Graziadio School of Business & Management. I am a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and am currently the Coordinator for Chapters and Regional Programs for the Pepperdine University Alumni Association. The Alumni Association is truly an awesome team! On a more personal note, when my husband and I are not working, we're watching Pepperdine athletics or watching our daughters play volleyball. We consider ourselves very fortunate to be a part of such a faithful community of friends and co-workers.

Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Claudette La Cour
Director, Alumni and Public Affairs
(310) 568-5649
claudette.lacour@pepperdine.edu

Graziadio School of Business and Management
Jesse Torres (MBA '07)
Director, Alumni Services, Corporate, and External Relations
(310) 568-5532
jesse.torres@pepperdine.edu

School of Law
Courtney Echols (JD '08)
Director, Advancement, Alumni and Public Affairs
(310) 506-4492
courtney.echols@pepperdine.edu

School of Public Policy
Pauletta Walsh (MPP '99)
Assistant Dean, Advancement and Alumni Relations
(310) 506-7490
pauletta.walsh@pepperdine.edu

Seaver College & George Pepperdine College
Matt Ebeling ('99)
Executive Director, Alumni Affairs
(310) 506-4348
matt.ebeling@pepperdine.edu