44th Annual Pepperdine Associates Dinner

JENNIFER HUDSON
GRAMMY® Award-Winning Recording Artist

A two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning recording artist, Academy Award-winning actress, and best-selling author, Jennifer Hudson is an extraordinary talent. From humble beginnings, Hudson began singing in a small Chicago church where, week after week, she brought the congregation to its feet. From there, she’s gone on to worldwide acclaim. She can currently be seen in Tom Hooper’s film adaptation of Cats and is currently in production for the Aretha Franklin biopic Respect, directed by Liesl Tommy.

Last year, she returned for her second time to NBC’s The Voice alongside Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and Kelly Clarkson and for her third time and winning coach to season eight of The Voice UK alongside coaches Tom Jones, will.i.am, and Olly Murs. Hudson’s song, “I’ll Fight,” written by Grammy-winning songwriter Diane Warren for the critically acclaimed documentary RBG, was nominated for a 2019 Academy Award. In 2007 Hudson won an Academy Award for her role as Effie in the smash hit Dreamgirls, an adaptation of the Broadway musical. Her breakout film performance also garnered a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a BAFTA, and an NAACP Image Award.

JIM GASH
President and CEO

Jim Gash began his term as the eighth president and chief executive officer of Pepperdine on August 1, 2019. Recognized internationally for his transformative work in international justice reform, Gash has devoted himself to advancing the rule of law in developing countries and, since 2010, has visited Uganda nearly 30 times with Pepperdine students and alumni to support the country's judiciary in deeply impactful ways.

Read President Gash's Full Bio