Anderson and Wooden

UCLA Anderson inaugurates leadership program with John Wooden Award

Event honors Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, includes Schultz-Wooden talk


As part of its new John Wooden Global Leadership Program, the UCLA Anderson School of Management will present the inaugural John Wooden Global Leadership Award to Howard Schultz, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Starbucks, on May 28 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.

The evening event will include a conversation between Schultz and Wooden, UCLA's legendary former basketball coach, in which they will discuss their views on business leadership, character and ethics. The talk will be moderated by Fortune magazine's managing editor, Andy Serwer.

"John Wooden is an illustrious leader, and we are thrilled to present the first John Wooden Global Leadership Award to one of the most influential business leaders of today," said Judy Olian, dean of UCLA Anderson School of Management. "Howard Schultz embodies the leadership ideals and values underlying Coach Wooden's leadership philosophy and is an inspiring choice for the award."

Each year, an exceptional leader will be honored with the prestigious award for his or her exemplary leadership and service to the community. Proceeds from the dinner will fund the John Wooden Leadership Fellowships, awarded annually to two UCLA Anderson M.B.A. students who have displayed value-based leadership.

Coach Wooden, one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history, has also earned fame as an author, philosopher and motivational speaker. He has spoken at conferences around the globe, has presented his leadership philosophy to many of the world's major corporations and their leaders, and has been honored by numerous institutions and heads of state.

The award, Wooden says, "Represents my conviction that character is more important than any other leadership trait."

UCLA Anderson's John Wooden Global Leadership Program promotes the principles of pride, commitment to ethics, and respect for teamwork promulgated by Coach Wooden over his long career as a coach, author and motivational speaker. Each year, the program presents the Wooden Global Leadership Award to an exceptional individual embodying Wooden's philosophy of leadership, organizes colloquia on management and leadership issues, and supports fellowships for UCLA Anderson students.

The UCLA Anderson School of Management, established in 1935, is regarded as among the very best business schools in the world. UCLA Anderson faculty are ranked No. 1 in "intellectual capital" by Business Week magazine and are renowned for their teaching excellence and research that advances management thinking and practice. Each year, the school provides management education to more than 1,600 students enrolled in M.B.A., executive M.B.A., fully-employed M.B.A. and doctoral programs and to more than 2,000 professional managers through executive education programs. Combining highly selective admissions, innovative learning programs and a worldwide network of 35,000 alumni, UCLA Anderson develops and prepares global leaders.