The Maldonado Executive Leadership Institute (MELI) is committed to discovery, discussion, and dissemination of insights into the future of executive leadership, in America and around the world.
Technology, organizations, and society are changing more rapidly than ever before. Leadership has become increasingly complex, and leaders must continually keep abreast of changes in economic, political, technological, and social conditions. The Institute supports both academic and practical efforts to ensure that leaders today and in the future are equipped for the challenges of a dynamic world. Graduate students and current leaders will have access to leading academics and practitioners who are shaping leadership in the 21st century.
Mission
The Maldonado Executive Leadership Institute supports current and future executive leaders with the following activities:
- Support of graduate level research in leadership that embodies CGU’s commitment to transdisciplinary studies. Leadership research spans all the schools of CGU.
- Hosting of speakers, events, and conferences that showcase the latest thinking and innovation in leading organizations.
- Disseminating leadership innovation through blogs, posts, and videos, as well as traditional publications.
- Developing degree and non-degree, credit and non-credit programs to develop leaders for tomorrow.
Research Excellence
The Maldonado Executive Leadership Institute supports applied research that provides practical answers to current and future leadership challenges and opportunities. Leadership is examined broadly and includes leadership in both large and small business organizations and executive leadership in government organizations that provide public safety, government services, healthcare, education, and human services.
The MELI supports research across Claremont Graduate University (CGU), including the Division of Behavioral & Organizational Sciences, which teaches and researches leadership and organizational behavior; the Drucker School of Management, which conducts a law enforcement executive leadership training program and provides education on topics of mindfulness and business leadership; the School of Community & Global Health, which focuses on the needs of public health leadership; the School of Educational Studies, which focuses on the needs of school administrators; and the School of Arts & Humanities, which teaches museum leadership and arts management.
Founding
The Institute was established with an endowment at Claremont Graduate University by alumnus Dr. Ernest and Mary Maldonado. Dr. Maldonado spent more than three decades in the criminal justice system, including work spanning national security and local law enforcement. He also spent over three decades in academia, teaching leadership, organizational behavior, and organizational design. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Virginia and is a member of the FBI National Academy Associates. He is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Dr. Maldonado earned a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Claremont Graduate University and previously served on the University’s Board of Trustees.
Dr. Ernest Maldonado
Dr. Maldonado’s early career involved service for nearly one decade at various world-wide assignments with the Air Force Intelligence Service. His first opportunity to lead others. Next, he served for three decades as a member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department where he advanced to the executive level and performed executive leadership roles equivalent to Chief of Police, Prison warden and Director of both Risk Management and Information Systems. He was directly responsible for the work performance of over 900 people and indirectly led over 3,000 people.
During his career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, he earned a PhD in Criminal Justice from Claremont Graduate School. He then taught executive leadership and management courses at several universities in Southern California. Dr Maldonado is a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia and is a member of the FBI National Academy Associates. He is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Both of these organizations focus on executive leadership skills. He is a Trustee Emeritus at Claremont Graduate University and is a supporter of Pepperdine University where he is a Board Member at the School of Public Policy.