William Dickson Faculty Fellows

About the Program

Thanks to a generous investment from Astro Aluminum Treating Company, the annual William Dickson Leader-in-Residence Program was launched in 2007.  Through this program, the Ukleja Center invites a prominent business executive, government, or nonprofit leader to interact with our university community over the course of an academic year.  Bringing an experienced leader to campus for an extended period of time allows program participants to learn about the full range of ethical leadership issues our leaders-in-residence have faced during the course of their careers.  In addition, campus and community leaders get to explore how they manage the ethical aspects of their own leadership responsibilities.

Leaders-in-residence engage with the campus community in a variety of settings, from classroom presentations to informal discussions with small groups of students, faculty, and/or business leaders.  These interactions enable members of the university community to enhance their understanding of ethical leadership, discover how these concepts are used in practice, and apply them within their own lives.

William Dickson Leaders-in-Residence

  • 2007-2008  Robert Lorber - President, Lorber Kamai Consulting Group
  • 2008-2009  Patrick McClenahan - CEO, 2015 Special Olympics World Games
  • 2009-2010  Richard Strozzi-Heckler - President, Strozzi Institute
  • 2010-2011  Cynthia Stamper Graff - President and CEO, Lindora Clinic
  • 2011-2012  Damon Dunn - Co-Founder and Partner, Tricor Corporation
  • 2012-2013  Diana Hendel - CEO, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Miller Children's Hospital, Community Hospital Long Beach
  • 2013-2014  Rafer Johnson, Olympic Gold Medalist and California Special Olympics Founder
  • 2014-2015  David Maggard - Chief of Police, City of Irvine 
  • 2015-2016  Justin Rudd - Founder, Community Action Team 
  • 2016-2017  Mary Zendejas - Executive Director and Founder, Professional Abilities Association of America
  • 2017-2018  Aaron Cash - Actor, Singer, Dancer, and Choreographer
  • 2018-2019  Rose Gonzalez - Integrated Marketing Strategy Director, Universal Studios Hollywood
  • 2019-2020  Bruce Mac Rae - Vice President of State Government Affairs, UPS
  • 2020-2021  Darick Simpson - President, Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation
  • 2021-2022  Gloria Cordero - Water Commissioner and Navajo Nation Volunteer
  • 2022-2023  Nancy Luong - Published Author and Digital Program Manager, Salesforce
  • 2023-2024  praCh Ly - Writer, Director, and Performer

William Dickson Faculty Fellows

  • 2008-2011  Robert Eckert - Former Chair of the Board and CEO, Mattel, Inc.
  • 2008-2011  Beverly O’Neill - Former Mayor, City of Long Beach 
  • 2008-2009 and 2011-2013  Patrick McClenahan - CEO, 2015 Special Olympics World Games
  • 2009-2010 and 2011-2012  Richard Strozzi-Heckler - President, Strozzi Institute
  • 2010- 2013  Cynthia Stamper Graff - President and CEO, Lindora Clinic
  • 2011- 2014  Damon Dunn - Co-Founder and Partner, Tricor Corporation 
  • 2012-2015  Diana Hendel - CEO, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Miller Children's Hospital, Community Hospital Long Beach
  • 2013-2016  Rafer Johnson - Olympic Gold Medalist and California Special Olympics Founder 
  • 2014-2017  David Maggard - Assistant Chief of Police, Office of Operations, Los Angeles World Airports
  • 2015-2018  Justin Rudd - Founder, Community Action Team 
  • 2016-2019  Mary Zendejas - Executive Director and Founder, Professional Abilities Association of America
  • 2017-2020  Aaron Cash - Actor, Singer, Dancer, and Choreographer
  • 2018-2021  Rose Gonzalez - Integrated Marketing Strategy Director, Universal Studios Hollywood
  • 2019-2022  Bruce Mac Rae - Vice President of State Government Affairs,UPS
  • 2020-2023  Darick Simpson - President, Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation
  • 2021-2024  Gloria Cordero - Water Commissioner and Navajo Nation Volunteer
  • 2022-2025  Nancy Luong - Published Author and Digital Program Manager, Salesforce
  • 2023-2026  praCh Ly - Writer, Director, and Performer