Pepperdine University Appoints Caruso School of Law Alumnus Cicely Danielle Simpson to Board of Regents

December 14, 2023 – Malibu, CA – Pepperdine University has appointed Caruso School of Law alumnus Cicely Danielle Simpson (JD ’01) to the Board of Regents, the legal governing body and chief policy board of the University. 

“Cicely has a wealth of business and public affairs knowledge,” said Pepperdine University President Jim Gash (JD ’93). “Her experience in leadership makes her an excellent fit for our Board of Regents.”

Simpson is the Founder and CEO of Summit Public Affairs, one of the only African American female-owned bipartisan public affairs firms in Washington, DC. Leveraging 25 years of leadership experience in public affairs, public policy, communications, political, and legal affairs, Simpson helps clients proactively manage the intersection of business and politics at all levels of government.

Prior to launching Summit Public Affairs, Simpson served as the Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at the National Restaurant Association, leading the restaurant industry’s public affairs strategy at all levels of government to achieve the industry’s public policy and political goals. 

Prior to joining the National Restaurant Association, Simpson served as Vice President of Government Affairs at Dunkin’ Brands, Inc., where she led the company’s legislative, regulatory, and political strategy with federal, state, local, and international governments.

Simpson is a member of the Pepperdine University Caruso Law Board of Advisors, which supports and advances the mission of the University by helping the Caruso School of Law achieve the highest standards of academic excellence and maintain its distinctive character. She received a juris doctor from the Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law and a bachelor of arts in political science from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee.

About Pepperdine University
Founded in 1937, Pepperdine University is an independent, Christian university located 30 miles west of Downtown Los Angeles in scenic Malibu, California. The University enrolls approximately 10,300 students across its flagship liberal arts school, Seaver College; the Caruso School of Law; the Graziadio Business School; the Graduate School of Education and Psychology; and the School of Public Policy. Pepperdine is committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. Follow Pepperdine on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

 

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