Commencement Speakers

Jennifer Freyd

Jennifer Joy Freyd, Professor Emerit of Psychology at the University of Oregon and an affiliate professor at the University of Washington, has spent her life asking tough questions about power, abuse, and institutions.

She is a renowned scholar known for her theories of betrayal trauma, institutional betrayal, institutional courage, and DARVO—a reaction that perpetrators of wrongdoing may display in response to being held accountable for their behavior. She is the author of the Harvard Press award-winning book Betrayal Trauma: The Logic of Forgetting Childhood Abuse and has written or co-written more than 200 scientific articles and op-eds. Freyd has consulted for the White House, members of Congress, and numerous organizations.

In January 2020, she founded the Center for Institutional Courage, a nonprofit dedicated to transformative research and education about institutional betrayal and how to counter it through institutional courage. “In essence, I want to know how people relate to the people and institutions they depend on,” she says. “I especially want to know how that dynamic is impacted by betrayal and courage.”

Both a scientist and public intellectual, Freyd has received acclaim for her scholarship and her courage. Her awards include being named a John Simon Guggenheim Fellow, an Erskine Fellow at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She is the 2024 recipient of the American Psychological Foundation’s Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology, given in recognition of her innovative and transformational work.

Steven Kim

Steven Kim is the founder and principal consultant at Talentscope, an outsourced Hiring-HR Solution and organizational coaching firm that enables small and medium-sized businesses to achieve more of their potential and create a greater sense of fulfillment for both owners and their employees. He earned his Executive MBA and MS in Advanced Management from the Drucker School of Management in 2012 and now serves as president of the CGU Alumni Association, of which he was a founding member. His calling is to help leaders of growing organizations to better focus on what matters by aligning their business with their purpose.

He believes that building a strong CGU alumni community starts with each of us fostering a vibrant, supportive network that extends beyond our years in academia. It’s an opportunity to give back, share experiences, and stay connected with others who can offer guidance, opportunities, and camaraderie.

“For new graduates, there’s never a better time to get involved,” he says. “The longer you wait the harder it becomes to stay connected, so make sure to stop by the CGU Alumni Association booth and provide your contact information to stay abreast on upcoming alumni events. Remember that your journey can also inspire and guide those who follow.”

Jennifer P. Villalobos

Jennifer P. Villalobos is a program evaluator, organizational psychologist, scholar, and researcher who recently defended her PhD dissertation on “Exploring the Relationship Between Social Justice Evaluation and Psychological Capital.” She has a master’s degree in positive organizational psychology and evaluation from CGU and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and history from USC. Her primary academic interests focus on positive organizational interventions, transformative and social justice-oriented approaches to evaluation, and organizational initiatives focusing on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

With more than 20 years of experience, she runs a consulting practice that engages local, national, and international organizations, spanning multiple industries, emphasizing workplace well-being, social justice, DEI, leadership, and Evaluation Capacity Building.

She has been married to her best friend, Joshua, for more than 17 years and is a proud mamá to twin boy/girl 16-year-olds and a 14-year-old son. Her favorite hobbies are cheering on her kids in their extracurricular endeavors, attending sporting and music events, and traveling with her family. As a proud Mexican American, she is passionate about fairness and equity and strives to be a positive model for her children and the Latinx community. ¡Sí, se puede!