MBA Alumni Profile: Konrad Reibero, Graziadio School of Business

Konrad Reibero tells us how he chose the school for his MBA program just as the Graziadio School chose him.

1. Why did you choose the Graziadio School?

Sometimes you choose the place that chooses you. To some that would mean "the school that was actually foolish enough to offer me admission." And yeah, it is partly that. But more specifically, I'm talking about them "choosing me" in terms of choosing to open themselves up personally to a lifelong relationship that will clearly last well after graduation. Choosing to be involved in my educational, personal, and professional development. No other school was willing to take the risk of investing in a relationship that meant more than grades, papers, and presentations.      

2. What were you doing before your MBA?

I had spent the previous 8 years as an actor. I had a long, fairly productive career in television commercials, comedy improvisation, some writing, and spent a lot of time in castings that lead nowhere. One dotcom crash and a Screen Actors Guild strike later, I realized that acting wasn't really where I wanted to be forever. I did well in undergrad and figured that if you want to obtain different results, you have to take radical action.      

3. A typical week at the Graziadio School?

A typical week - If only I'd had a few. Expect that you will spend an inordinate amount of time with groups in all your classes. Goodness, I had group projects in STATISTICS! Are you kidding me? Your class time will only be a portion, maybe 35%, of your time at the Graziadio School. And while that class time is important, it is the work you do on your own and with groups that make your experience amazing: Guest speakers, events, networking, presentations, clubs. No two weeks are the same. Don't plan on having a robust social life (unless you consider load of  finance homework to be "making the scene.")      

4. What are the professional and extracurricular activities that you participated in and outside the classroom?

I participated in the Mentorship Program as a first year (it is now for 2nd year students) and became a Coach in the Mentorship Program in my second year. I also had a great internship during the summer with a billion dollar sports and entertainment firm. But the single most valuable activity was being a part of the International Case Competition team that traveled to Montreal during my 2nd year to compete in the John Molson International Case Competition.  For me, that was the single most important project I participated at the Graziadio School more than classes, more than tests, more than anything.      

5. What are some of the projects you completed at the Graziadio School?

We did an internal consulting project where we process mapped part of the admissions system and recommended a solution. I also worked on a really solid Marketing Communications Plan through my Advertising and Marketing Class. We developed a plan for a luxury watch maker out of Switzerland. They ended up using many of our ideas in their next marketing campaign which was pretty gratifying. 

More than anything though, my team for the case competition put together some of the best work I've ever done. We developed our own system, came together as a team and worked it like professionals. I use that stuff everyday in my career.      

6. Is there anything that you consider to be a "beyond expectation" experience, while you were at the Graziadio School?

To be entirely redundant: the international case competition team. There were others, of course. My experience in the Mentorship Program was superb. Being able to guide changes and make differences was significant to me.      

Another "beyond expectation" experience was how many of my professors and staff committed themselves to developing authentic relationships with me. It would have been easy to just pump out MBA's like an Information Age trade school. Instead, time and again, people at the Graziadio School helped me well beyond learning the material. I still maintain so many of those relationships today and they have become some of the guiding lights in my career and my life.      

7. How has your Pepperdine MBA helped your career?

I met a gentleman from my company in a class at the Graziadio School (he sat on a review panel). We talked, exchanged cards, and met later in the year. After a while, it was clear that the fit was right and I was offered a job in his company. Sure, I learned tons of great ideas and knowledge at the school. What has really helped my career is the ability to integrate that knowledge into critical thinking and strategic decision making. That's the difference between getting you ready for a job and preparing you to create something profound.      

8. Your current company and title?

I am the Director of Facilitator Development for a management consulting firm called Evolution Performance Improvement Corp. We service small to medium sized businesses with operational and financial improvements as well as organizational design and leadership development. When I first started the job, I was not exactly sure as to where I could add the most value.  In two years, I have grown into the Director of Facilitator Development. I'm tasked with finding and developing our consultants and integrating them fully into our rather unique culture. We have grown 100+ % in two consecutive years, opened a Northern California office, and are absolutely rocking and rolling. Most of all there is nowhere more fun to work! Because if it isn't fun what's the point?