Adjunct Professor and President and CEO: Strategic Advantage
School of Business and Professional Studies - Healthcare Management

Biography

Ms. King received her M.B.A. from California State University/ Fresno and a B.S. from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.

Kim Athmann King is the firm's president and principal consultant for all Strategy Advantage engagements. With 20 years experience in the healthcare industry, Ms. King is a specialist in strategic planning, business/ program development, and vision/ future scenarios facilitation. She has focused her work, particularly, on assisting complex, multi-organization provider systems to develop, position, and re-design their organizations, medical groups, and services/ programs for improved market, growth, and financial performance.

A consultant and facilitator for more than eight years – starting her own boutique practice in 2002, a Senior Vice President at Kaufman Hall from 2007 to 2009, and then re-starting her practice in 2010 – and a healthcare executive for more than ten years at California-based Cedars-Sinai Health System in Los Angeles and Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, Ms. King brings relevancy via her provider-side experiences and, as well, breadth of viewpoint via her consultant-side relationships. These client engagements include various board and management retreats; organization-wide strategic plans, marketplace growth plans, and future vision forecasting; service line- or program-specific business planning and development; and new care model or new business model planning and rapid prototype execution. Her client portfolio includes Cedars-Sinai Medical Group (Los Angeles, CA), Sutter Health System (Sacramento, CA), MultiCare Health System (Tacoma, WA), USC University Hospital (Los Angeles, CA), Summa Health (Akron, OH), St. Joseph Health System/ Mission Hospital (Laguna Beach, CA), Community Health Network (Indianapolis, IN), Loyola Medicine (Chicago, IL), University North Texas Health Science Center (Forth Worth, TX), and others.

She is a frequent speaker and writer on healthcare strategy, business development, and innovation topics for national healthcare professional organizations and conferences. She has provided dozens of guest presentations for USC, UCLA, and California State University MBA or MHA programs and students. She is co-founder of BLU Ideas and Innovations, a new company formed in 2010 dedicated to facilitating groups of healthcare executives and physicians to spark change and new ideas in healthcare. And she is currently President of Health Care Executives of Southern California, a 1,000-member, independent chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE).

Currently teaching: HCM 424: Marketing, Business Development & Strategic Planning.

Biography

Mark holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from California State University, Long Beach, and a Master of Science Degree in Human Resources from Chapman University in Orange, California. Mark also holds a lifetime SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute.

Mark currently serves as the Vice President of Human Resources at MBK Senior Living. MBK provides Seniors with Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care, and associated services. MBK has nearly 2000 Associates in six States.

In addition to his experience at MBK, Mark has over 30 years of experience as a Human Resources and Administration Executive. He has worked in a variety of industries including: Automotive, Staffing, Internet, Medical Device, and Dental industries. He has successfully lead Administrative functions for these large and medium-sized companies where he has been responsible for Employee Relations, Recruiting, Risk Management, Organizational Development, Total Rewards, Purchasing, and Payroll.

Assistant Professor & Internship Director, School of Business & Economics

Biography

Kellie earned her Bachelor and Master Degrees from California State University, Long Beach and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University. She has served on several nonprofit boards in her community, including the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Ronald McDonald House Charities. She has been teaching college courses since 2008, teaching at California State University Long Beach, and Long Beach City College before finding her home at Concordia, where she can combine her love of teaching with her Christian beliefs. She has taught classes in communication studies, leadership, and business, but tends to focus on Workplace Communication, Professional Writing, and Internship/Professional Development Skills.

Degrees Earned

• Ph.D., Organizational Leadership, Regent University (in progress, expected May 2023)
• M.A., California State University Long Beach (May 2010)
• B.A., California State University Long Beach (May 2007)

Research

Kellie's research interests relate to the identity of motherhood, women in leadership, intergenerational workplace culture, and leading virtual teams.

Publications

Playter, K. L. (2020). Courageous followership according to the epistle of Jude. Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership, 10(1), 48-55. Abrams, J.R., Shaw-Playter, K., LeMaster, B., Willis, R., Hoffman, S., Bodden, D. & Whitney, M. (2011). Proactive performance: A context for intergroup contact. Howard Journal of Communications, 22, 319-335.

Conference Presentations

• Playter, K. L., Andrew, A.J. & Harris, E. (2019). “I’m neglecting my other baby”: Examining mothers’ workplace re-entry narratives. WSCA.
• Playter, K. L. & Andrew, A.J. (2018). The status of mom: The workplace experiences of pregnant women and mothers. WSCA.
• Shaw, K. (2011) Proactive performance: A context for intergroup contact. WSCA.
• Shaw, K. (2009) Media and immigration, freedom of speech or hate speech. WSCA (pre-conference).

Teaching

Current courses for the School of Business & Economics-Business Writing & Presentations, Organizational Behavior, Internship

Resident Faculty of Sociology

Professor Benda was born in Fullerton, California and grew up in Orange County. She has always been passionate about people, and has the drive to understand others, and help those who are less fortunate. Professor Benda attended Vanguard University (formerly Southern California College) in Costa Mesa, CA, and received her BA in Sociology with a minor in Psychology. She also received a Master’s degree from Vanguard University in Clinical Psychology. Professor Benda has worked as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist helping abused and neglected children, with couples in marital settings, and helping college students identify and set goals. She has conducted workshops and support groups dealing primarily with grief and loss as a Bereavement Facilitator.

For the past 17 years, Professor Benda has served at Concordia University Irvine as a Resident Faculty member teaching both Sociology and Psychology undergraduate courses. Some of the classes that she currently teaches are Introduction to Sociology, Theories of Personality, and Social Psychology. Some of her favorite topics to discuss deal with grief and loss throughout our lives and birth order of the family in which we are brought up. Professor Benda feels that it’s more than just a blessing to be in the classroom, it’s a privilege. Whether it’s speaking to parents of potential students, or welcoming a student for the first time in one of her classes, she feels that the role of a professor doesn’t end in the classroom-it’s a lifelong relationship.

Professor Benda has also participated with Royal Family Kids Camp (a summer camp for children in the foster care system) for the past 20 years. She works as one of the 5 social workers alongside other camp counselors, camp staff and campers for one week each year. Professor Benda enjoys taking Concordia undergraduate students who enroll in the 2-unit Practicum course offered to Psychology or Behavioral Sciences majors to the Royal Family Kids Camp each summer.

Degrees Earned

• M.S., Clinical Psychology, Vanguard University
• B.A., Sociology / Psychology, Vanguard University

Training and Talent Development

Biography

Daphne Felicitas is the Manager, Global Training & Leadership Development at Oakley, where she leads and manages leadership development, team development, and retail training. Prior to Oakley, Daphne was the Manager, Learning & Organization Development, at Pacific Sunwear. She also worked as Career Counselor at the UC Irvine Career Center and as a Center Director for SCORE! Educational Centers. She also serves on the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology Field Study Advisory Board and the Brandman University Premier Partner Advisory Council. Daphne has a passion for travel, music, her faith, being active and loves to spend quality time with her family and friends.

Degrees Earned

• M.A. Organizational Leadership, Chapman University
• B.A. Psychology and Social Behavior, UC Irvine

Courses Taught

IOP 431, Training and Talent Development

Human Resource Strategies

Degrees Earned

• M.A., Human Resources Management, National University
• B.A., Communication, Chapman University

Geoffrey Friederich is the Executive Director of Global Human Resources at Ingram Micro. He has been teaching in the field of human resources and leadership for 13 years and is adjunct professor at Concordia University, Irvine. Geoffrey has written test items for the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) and has judged student performances at the Society for Human Resources (SHRM) University Student Conference.

Organizational Consulting and Change Theory

Biography

Gilbert has an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership and a MA. in Psychology from Pepperdine University. He currently is the Dean of Students at Concordia University, Irvine and has taught Christianity and Contemporary Culture for several academic programs throughout campus as one of Concordia's most endeared instructors. In addition to his leadership and teaching roles at Concordia, he has worked for many years as a Director of Christian Education at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia, California, where he developed servant leaders within the church and the youth ministry. At Concordia University, he is passionate about developing wise, honorable, and cultivated student leaders. He has conducted numerous presentations on servant leadership, community service, and many relevant issues critical to college age students.

Degrees Earned

• Ed.D., Organizational Leadership, Pepperdine University
• M.A., Psychology, Pepperdine University
• B.A., Theology, Concordia University, Seward, NE

Courses Taught

IOP/NPL 305, Christianity and Contempory Culture

Biography

Melanie Nichols is the World Wide Director of Organization Effectiveness for Ingram Micro. Prior to joining Ingram Micro, she spent twelve years working in values-driven, faith-based, not-for-profit organizations. Melanie specializes in transforming organizational culture; closing the gap between the stated and lived organizational values and engaging the workforce. She is known in industry for elevating and sustaining excellence by focusing on leadership development, human factors, structures and processes. Achievements of her internal customers include: Best Places to Work - National (Modern Healthcare), Best Places to Work - Texas, Magnet Designation, Top 100 Hospital (Thomas Reuters) and Highest National Ranking -Patient Satisfaction. Additionally, Melanie has been part of organizational teams when they have earned the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award and been named a Prism Coaching Finalist (International Coaching Federation).

Courses Taught

IOP 421, Measurement of Human Performance

Social Psychology

Degrees Earned

• M.S. Clinical Psychology, Azusa Pacific University
• B.A. Liberal Studies & Sociology, Cal State San Bernardino

Dawn is an adjunct professor at Concordia University and guest lecturer at Vanguard University. She has served as professional Christian therapist for 17 years working with churches to help provide training and seminars on grief and loss, infertility, blended families and bullying. In addition, she provides counseling to couples, individuals and families using Attachment Theory as well as Family Systems with a biblical foundation. She and husband Marc enjoy hiking, skiing and sailing.

Biography

Dr. Peters led the development of the CU Accelerate program in 2000, and the MAIS degree that grew from the university's work in China. The other programs were added to the school under the umbrella of business and adult instruction.

Prior to his present role, he was a professor in the School of Education and managed the student teaching program. Prior to his joining Concordia in 1994 he served as a Lutheran Elementary school principal in various locations. His wife, Dr. Becky Peters, is a professor in the School of Education. He has two grown children and two grandchildren.

Degrees Earned

• Ed.D. Institutional Management, Pepperdine University
• M.A. School Administration, Pepperdine University
• B.A. Curriculum and Instruction, Concordia University, Chicago, IL

Professional/Scholarly Presentations

Council for Adult and Experiential Education (CAEL), November 12, 2004, Chicago: Presented on the topic: Adults Learn Even When They Are Not Present
Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) Chicago, Illinois 2004 Conference Presentation: Adult's Learn Even When They are Absent
Lutheran Educator's Conference, Palm Spring California 2004 Conference Presentation: Beat the Odds- Team Ministry Lessons Learned from Marriage
AIP-OC (Association of Internet Professionals), April 16, 2003 Presenter on the topic: "Online Education and Distance Learning: How it works with Careers in Technology"
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Mission Planters Institute, July, 1999 Conference Presentation: Entrepreneurial Leadership

Professional Involvement

Chairman, Board of Elders, St. John's Lutheran Church 2001 - present.
Chairman, Board of Directors, Pacific Southwest District Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, 1993-1999. Member of the board, 1985-1999.
Served on various committees including strategic planning committee. As Chairman led complete restructure of the district's governance to a policy based approach, hired a Chief Administrative Officer, Member, Board of Directors, Lutheran High School of Orange County, 1994-1999

Expertise

• Leadership Development
• Organizational management
• Strategic planning

Special Interests and Activities

• Golf
• Hiking
• Sailing
• Sports cars

Courses Taught

IOP/NPL 483 Business Ethics

Assistant Professor & Internship Director, School of Business & Economics

Biography

Kellie earned her Bachelor and Master Degrees from California State University, Long Beach and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University. She has served on several nonprofit boards in her community, including the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Ronald McDonald House Charities. She has been teaching college courses since 2008, teaching at California State University Long Beach, and Long Beach City College before finding her home at Concordia, where she can combine her love of teaching with her Christian beliefs. She has taught classes in communication studies, leadership, and business, but tends to focus on Workplace Communication, Professional Writing, and Internship/Professional Development Skills.

Degrees Earned

• Ph.D., Organizational Leadership, Regent University (in progress, expected May 2023)
• M.A., California State University Long Beach (May 2010)
• B.A., California State University Long Beach (May 2007)

Research

Kellie's research interests relate to the identity of motherhood, women in leadership, intergenerational workplace culture, and leading virtual teams.

Publications

Playter, K. L. (2020). Courageous followership according to the epistle of Jude. Journal of Biblical Perspectives in Leadership, 10(1), 48-55. Abrams, J.R., Shaw-Playter, K., LeMaster, B., Willis, R., Hoffman, S., Bodden, D. & Whitney, M. (2011). Proactive performance: A context for intergroup contact. Howard Journal of Communications, 22, 319-335.

Conference Presentations

• Playter, K. L., Andrew, A.J. & Harris, E. (2019). “I’m neglecting my other baby”: Examining mothers’ workplace re-entry narratives. WSCA.
• Playter, K. L. & Andrew, A.J. (2018). The status of mom: The workplace experiences of pregnant women and mothers. WSCA.
• Shaw, K. (2011) Proactive performance: A context for intergroup contact. WSCA.
• Shaw, K. (2009) Media and immigration, freedom of speech or hate speech. WSCA (pre-conference).

Teaching

Current courses for the School of Business & Economics-Business Writing & Presentations, Organizational Behavior, Internship

Employee Motivation/Attitude Theory

Degrees Earned

• Ph.D., Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology
• M.A., Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology
• B.S., Human Services & Counseling, Cal State Fullerton

Dr. Michele Robison is a Psychologist and Certified Professional Coach. She and her husband Mike are co-founders of Fruited Plains, Inc. Fruited Plains is a non-profit organization that helps the people of Kenya become self-sustaining so they can provide for their families. She has over 20 years of experience in training and counseling adults, families and teenagers. She enjoys assisting executives in refining their leadership skills and helping organizations with vision/mission planning. She has a passion for the youth of our world and has been a keynote speaker at youth conferences internationally. She is also an adjunct professor at Africa Theological Seminary in Kenya.

Human Resource Strategies and Performance Measurement

Degrees Earned

• M.A., Public Policy and Administration – Personnel Management, California State University, Long Beach
• B.A., Public Administration, California State University, Chico
• B.A., Geography-Planning, California State University, Chico

Marianne Tonjes is the Executive Director of the Cooperative Organization for the Development of Employee Selection Procedures (CODESP), a consortium of public agencies that has provided human resource services, training and employee selection material for more than 35 years. Under Marianne's leadership CODESP specializes in developing systems utilized by more than 500 public agencies.

She earned her Master's Degree in Public Policy and Administration-Personnel Management at California State University, Long Beach. She also received two Bachelor's Degrees from California State University, Chico: One in Public Administration and another in Geography-Planning and Development. She is a Certified Professional with the International Public Management Association for Human Resources.

Marianne chairs the Training Committee for the Western Region Intergovernmental Assessment Council (WRIPAC) and is the Secretary of the Board of Directors for the International Personnel Assessment Council (IPAC). She holds active memberships with the Southern California Public Management Association – Human Resources (SCPMA); Personnel Testing Council of Southern California (PTCSC); the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM); and the Society for Industrial-Organizational Psychology (SIOP).

Marianne also serves part time as Lead Course Instructor of Human Resource Strategies at Concordia University Irvine in the School of Professional Studies program for Organizational Psychology.

Prior to her current roles, Marianne held various human resource management positions in both the public and private sectors and taught at the University of Phoenix.