President's Speaker Series

A Conversation with Liz Truss

Liz Truss, the 56th prime minister of the United Kingdom and current member of Parliament, discussed her latest book, Ten Years to Save the West. A proponent of limited government and individual freedom, Truss discussed her opinions on why socialism remains popular, the clear and present danger of the ever-expanding “administrative state,” why the West should not ignore the threat of an aggressive China.

What the Future Holds for Californians: A Conversation with Tani Cantil-Sakauye

Tani Cantil-Sakauye, the president and chief executive officer of the Public Policy Institute of California and former chief justice of California, discussed her passion for access to justice, her experiences as a woman of color in a leadership position, and the importance of civil discourse to sound statewide public policy.

Washington and the Crisis in the Middle East: A Conversation with David Schenker

David Schenker, the Taube Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute and director of the Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics, discussed Washington and the Crisis in the Middle East. Read about Schenker's conversation.

The Future of American Democracy: A Conversation with Richard Haass

Richard Haass, president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations and senior counselor at Centerview Partners, explored “The Future of American Democracy.” Read more about Haass' conversation.

Event recording is unavailable.

Challenges and Opportunities of Faith-Based Higher Education Institutions:
A Conversation with Rabbi Ari Berman

Rabbi Ari Berman, the fifth president of Yeshiva University in New York City, discussed his perspectives on the challenges and opportunities faced by faith-based institutions of higher education. Read about Berman's conversation

The Global Rise of Unhappiness and How Leaders Missed It: A Conversation with Jon Clifton

Jon Clifton, chief executive officer of Gallup, a global analytics and advice firm with a mission to help organizations create thriving workplaces, explored themes from his 2022 Wall Street Journal best-selling book, Blind Spot: The Global Rise of Unhappiness and How Leaders Missed It.

The State of Freedom Around the World: A Conversation with Michael J. Abramowitz

In the first installment of the 2023 President’s Speaker Series,  Michael J. Abramowitz, president of Freedom House, a nonpartisan voice dedicated to supporting democracy, explored the growing threats to democracy across the world and the consecutive decline in global freedom over the last 16 years. Joining Abramowitz for the discussion was Kiron Skinner, Taube Professor of International Relations and Politics at the Pepperdine School of Public Policy, and president Jim Gash.

Free Speech and the Academy: A Conversation with Jonathan Haidt

Jonathan Haidt, professor of ethical leadership at the New York University Stern School of Business and author of New York Times best-seller The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion, led a discussion on the topic of free speech in the academy at the last installment of the President’s Speaker Series 2022.

The Impact of Faith on Human Flourishing and the Common Good: A Conversation with Byron Johnson

Byron Johnson, Distinguished Professor of the Social Sciences at Baylor University, led the second installment of the President’s Speaker Series with a discussion on the impact of faith on human flourishing and the potential for religion to facilitate and contribute to the common good of all humanity.

The Dream King: How the Dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. Is Being Fulfilled to Heal Racism in America

The first installment of the 2022 President’s Speaker Series welcomed Will Ford III and Matt Lockett for a powerful exploration of their book The Dream King: How the Dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. Is Being Fulfilled to Heal Racism in America. The coauthors discussed the history of the civil rights movement, the power of prayer, and offered insights about healing the racial divide across the nation. 

Vaccines: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?

In light of the global and national focus on the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, the President’s Speaker Series welcomed a panel of leading medical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology experts who explored “Vaccines: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?” on March 29, 2021, via Zoom. 

The engaging panel discussion featured Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, Stephen M. Hahn, former commissioner of food and drugs at the US Food and Drug Administration, and Jonathan B. Perlin, president of the Clinical Services Group and chief medical officer of HCA Healthcare, in conversation about the current state of the vaccines. Dee Anna Smith (’86), CEO of Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, and chair of the Pepperdine Board of Regents, moderated the discussion.

The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection: "The Myth of Absence"

On February 24, 2021, the President's Speaker Series welcomed alumnus Bernard Kinsey (MBA '73), his wife, Shirley (MA '76), and their son, Khalil, who presented "The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection - 'The Myth of Absence.'" This event was part of Pepperdine's celebration of Black History Month that seeks to uplift Black voices, celebrate Black achievements, and serve as moments of reflection and remembrance of Black history in the United States.

Honesty and Courage, Humility and Hope: Robert George and Cornel West in Dialogue

On January 12, 2021, Robert George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University, and Cornel West, professor of the practice of public philosophy at Harvard University and Professor Emeritus at Princeton University, discussed the deep character required to engage thoughtfully and respectfully in vibrant conversations that explore diverse viewpoints for the inaugural lecture of the President's Speaker Series.