Bill Imada, chairman and chief connectivity officer of public relations firm IW Group, helps some of the world’s best-known brands make meaningful connections with multicultural communities,… giving a voice to those previously unheard and helping build a more inclusive society. CSUN students reflect the future demographics of California and the United States, building teams that work to ensure that our differences are not only heard, but embraced and celebrated.

Inspired by CSUN faculty, alumnus Andrew Anagnost now leads Autodesk, the design and engineering software giant, as the company provides the technology to design roads, bridges, cars,… buildings including One World Trade Center, special effects in iconic movies like Avatar and Harry Potter, and graphics in best-selling Call of Duty and Halo video games. His success illustrates how CSUN’s more than 375,000 alumni innovate and provide the spark to realize a new vision for the future.

Alumna Andrea Zoeckler is one of the highest-ranking women in the world of accounting and business, rising to a key leadership position of Epson America, one of the world’s largest… electronics companies. Graduates of CSUN study in what the Wall Street Journal calls the nation’s second-most diverse learning environment, preparing to compete with the world's brightest and most ambitious people.

Robert D. Taylor is a private equity investor, management consultant and civic-minded volunteer who has devoted his life to empowering both individuals and the businesses… they depend on. He has been a difference maker in the community, serving as an instrumental figure in the rebuilding of Los Angeles after the 1992 riots. Using his business acumen and leadership skills, Taylor has created opportunities for diverse entrepreneurs who in turn make their communities better places.

Oscar-nominated producer and executive Michael Grillo has helped create some of the biggest blockbusters in history, including Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, balancing… artistry and finances to thrill record-breaking audiences. Located in Hollywood’s backyard, CSUN prepares students like Grillo for rewarding careers throughout the entertainment industry and gives students the tools they need to land their dream roles.

Michelle Vicary is one of the most influential executives in television, responsible for elevating the Hallmark Channel to one of the country's most-watched networks. In an increasingly… fragmented media landscape, CSUN alumna Michelle Vicary built a massive, loyal audience captivated by the heartwarming programming found on the Hallmark Channel and the entire Crown Media Family Networks.

CSUN’s dynamic breadth of perspectives opened Richard Foos’ eyes to a world of possibilities, inspiring him to forge a career out of his enthusiasm for beloved music, movies and TV… shows. Foos co-founded Rhino Records and Shout! Factory, giving fans of music and pop culture an outlet for their obsessions. Foos is one of nearly 375,000 Matador alumni driving the economy of Los Angeles and beyond — they are entrepreneurs, catalysts for new ideas, and creatives bringing art to life.

Steve Rabuchin and his team innovate on the leading edge of technology with Amazon Alexa, bringing to life the talking computers of futuristic fiction. At CSUN, Rabuchin gained the… knowledge and encouragement necessary for his imagination and skills to flourish. Nearly 40,000 CSUN students each year continue to benefit from the programs and extracurricular opportunities devoted to invention and entrepreneurship.

Leaders aren’t born. They’re forged in the crucible of life. They’re mentored and molded. They experience, learn and grow. CSUN opens the door to opportunity to nearly 40,000 students every… year and serves as the proving ground where individuals gain knowledge and confidence. Linda Lingle translated her CSUN education into ownership of a community newspaper and then furthered her impact by becoming the first woman to lead the state of Hawaii as governor.

Rebecca Mieliwocki—the 2012 National Teacher of the Year—teaches our future leaders that experience is the best teacher. She helps them to become their best selves and prepares these… “Can Do Kids” to take on the challenges of the 21st century. Through vibrant, real-life experiences like making movies, creating charities, writing books, designing murals and keeping interactive journals, students leave her classroom with a keen set of communication skills and the ability to take on the world. They realize it’s not so much what you know, but what you do with your knowledge to make the world better that matters most.

With 375,000 alumni like visionary entrepreneur David Nazarian, the LAEDC recognized CSUN as the 2015 Eddy Award winner for its positive economic impact. David has spent his career… discovering and investing in winners, but he achieved his highest ROI by investing in his alma mater. CSUN’s David Nazarian College of Business and Economics is one of the 10 largest accredited business schools in the nation, helping the business community connect with the wealth of talent found in our region’s diversity.

In 2009, Nicole Avant was appointed to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas, the first African-American woman — and the youngest person — to hold that position. As ambassador,… she worked with the Bahamian government to advance impactful initiatives for education, small business development and women’s empowerment. Her communication, collaboration and creativity are prime examples of the leadership qualities that CSUN’s 375,000 alumni use to solve local, national and global issues.

Music elevates both audience and artist, forming powerful connections and stirring emotions. With a shining soprano voice once described as “polished silver,” Shigemi Matsumoto went out… to share her gift with the world. She has performed with national and international opera companies and symphony orchestras, recording with opera’s biggest stars. At CSUN, she gained the experience she needed to hone her talent and make hearts soar.

Acclaimed Hollywood film director Donald Petrie ’76 has worked with everyone from Julia Roberts to Brad Pitt to Sandra Bullock. He’s best known for such films as Grumpy Old Men, Miss… Congeniality, Mystic Pizza and a host of other favorites. Petrie’s unyielding commitment to always learning and never accepting “good enough” as good enough — traits he learned as a student at CSUN — created the opportunity to see his vision realized on film. Now, he’s not only elevating Hollywood, he’s elevating Hollywood’s future filmmakers by teaching two classes at his alma mater this spring.

Named by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the most powerful business managers in the industry, Fred Nigro is a partner in the firm Nigro Karlin Segal Feldstein & Bolno. He and his firm have… represented larger-than-life entertainers such as Tom Cruise, David Letterman, Nicole Kidman, Steve McQueen, Demi Moore and Fleetwood Mac. With Hollywood in CSUN’s backyard and industry professionals serving the classroom, alumni like Nigro make stars rise and become stars themselves.