Founded in 2021, the DEIJ Committee is made up of faculty, staff, adjunct, advisory
council members, alumni, an international graduate student, and undergraduate students
who are committed to encouraging, promoting, and following the DEIJ initiatives set
out by California Lutheran University as well as those that will support members of
the School of Management community.
Dr. Mary Jo Shane, has worked in the field of change leadership and organizational
effectiveness since 1991 with both profit generating organizations as well as non-profit
foundations. She began working for California Lutheran University in 2005 and teaches
MBA courses in Behavioral Science for Management, Training and Development and Applied
International Management and is developing the online Organization Design course for
the Experienced Professionals MBA Program. Dr. Shane has been the Academic Advisor
for the international MBA students since 2006. As Director of International Student
Success, she works closely with administrators, faculty and staff to develop and implement
programs, projects and events to support international graduate student success within
the School of Management.
Carmina Bech Segarra
Visiting Lecturer
Earle Charles
Program Director, MSIT
Dr. Earle Charles is the Director of Graduate Programs in Information Technology in
the School of Management at California Lutheran University. Dr. Charles brings a
strong mixture of private industry knowledge of managerial decision making to the
larger education experiences of his students as they navigate paths to earn an advance
degree in Information Technology from California Lutheran University.
John Garcia
Assistant Professor, Finance & Analytics
Dr. John Garcia joined the School of Management in the fall of 2021 as an Assistant
Professor. He teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses in finance and analytics.
Prior to his current position, he taught analytics at the University of North Texas
for 1.5 years. Before transitioning to academia in 2020, he held multiple executive-level
finance and analytics roles for a total of 21 years, 6 of which were with Ernst &
Young and 15 with Toyota.
Staff/Adjunct Member
Kristin Bell
Hub101 Program Manager, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Kristin Bell is the community & program manager of Hub101, a coworking space and startup
incubator for entrepreneurs and startups of various stages. She develops long-form
and short-form programs to help entrepreneurs build and scale sustainable businesses,
and she drives mentor strategy to grow a robust mentor community. She also organizes
Cal Lutheran’s New Venture Competition, which showcases student-led startups.
Advisory Council
Jeannette Pugh
Deans Advisory Council Member & External HR Specialist Cedars-Sanai
Jeannette Pugh is an accomplished Human Resources professional with extensive experience,
including unique HR generalist, specialist, and line management roles across diverse
functions and a successful history of developing practical, sustainable solutions
for organizations. Having worked for organizations such as Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb,
Amgen, Technicolor, and Pharmavite / Nature Made, Jeannette has a proven track record
in empowering employee networks, leading transformational retention initiatives, and
serving as a strategic business partner within peak-performance organizations. Jeannette
holds a bachelor's degree in engineering from Princeton University and a master's
degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She earned her doctorate in global leadership
and change at Pepperdine University.
Alum
AJ Masmela
SOM Undergraduate Alumni
As a first-generation Filipino graduate, AJ is committed to sharing the DEIJ committee's
values and creating a welcoming environment for all. AJ served as a mentor and guest
speaker in the CHESS program, board member of the Filipino club, and student interviewer
for faculty candidates to name a few. He demonstrates a deep investment in the university's
prosperity by volunteering his time to give insights from his perspective as a recent
graduate. He likes to spend his time cooking, flying drones, and playing piano.
Sushma Vasudevan
Graduate and Adjunct Instructor – MSQE
Sushma Vasudevan is a thought leader in the field of Data Science and Machine Learning,
and a passionate advocate of Ethical AI. Armed with a background in Engineering and
Econometrics, she brings a unique perspective to the convergence of business, technology
and ethics. With over two decades experience in the Technology industry and her current
role at PureSpectrum, where she spearheads creation of AI/ML products, Sushma's primary
focus lies in building AI systems for Market Research, ensuring transparency and Data
Privacy. In addition to her role at PureSpectrum, Sushma is an active contributor
to the field of education. She teaches Statistics and Economics to Graduate students
at California Lutheran University. She also serves as an Advisory Board member at
the Center for Economic Research and Forecasting (CERF). With a rich professional
history that includes key roles at technology giants such as IBM Corporation and GE
Capital International Services, Sushma Vasudevan continues to shape the future of
AI and its transformative impact on industries.
International Graduate Student
Mahsa Ghaderpour
International MBA
With two master's degrees—one in TESL and two in MBA, specializing in Finance—I bring
a unique blend of skills to the table. As a national champion in martial arts and
the president of the Accounting Club, I have successfully managed and orchestrated
tours to 20 countries, ensuring seamless logistics and delivering exceptional travel
experiences. In Iran, my outstanding performance in marketing and hospitality earned
me a spot among the top ten tour guides and tour leaders. My passion for continuous
learning and leadership has also led me to cultivate a strong social media presence.
Undergraduate Student
Cecely Zamora
SOM Undergraduate Student
Hola! My name is Cecely Zamora and I am completing my Bachelor’s Degree in Business
Administration with an emphasis in Management. I am the first in my family to attend
college and I hope to continue making them proud in my professional career and in
all that I do. Outside of school and work, I spend time outdoors and I value the company
of family and friends.
Founded in 2021, the DEIJ Committee is made up of faculty, staff, adjunct, advisory
council members, alumni, an international graduate student, and undergraduate students
who are committed to encouraging, promoting, and following the DEIJ initiatives set
out by California Lutheran University as well as those that will support members of
the School of Management community.
