Dr. Devorah Lieberman, President Emerita-University of La Verne (2011-2023), is an accomplished executive, scholar, and changemaker with a passion for workforce development, crisis management, financial sustainability, leadership, strategic visioning, and effective communication. She brings extensive successful domestic and global experience to strategizing the future of workforce development, business, higher education, health care sectors, and intercultural communication.

Lieberman was the first female president of the 133-year-old University of La Verne, a private not-for-profit comprehensive University in Southern California. She has a reputation as an influencer in education, domestic and global business, diversity, health care sectors and fundraising.

Under her leadership, Lieberman led the institution through the COVID-19 pandemic with a strong focus on safety, remote learning, student retention, recruitment, and fundraising, all while adhering to the strategic plan. Her efforts in workforce development positioned the university as a leader in graduating traditionally underserved students into successful careers, earning national rankings, and launching significant health and technology programs. She also played a crucial role in advocating for education and workforce needs in California. In addition, the University of La Verne experienced substantial financial growth and stability, nearly doubling its budget, and achieving budget surpluses every year, along with improved credit ratings. Lieberman successfully completed and implemented two multi-year strategic plans, significantly diversifying the student body, and launching new academic programs and initiatives, thereby enhancing the university’s reputation and efficiency.

Currently serving as the Executive Strategic Leadership Consultant at Lieberman & Associates, Lieberman has played a pivotal role in various capacities. She serves as a senior advisor to the president of the American Council on Education, has contributed to the national restructure of the Carnegie Classification and has been instrumental in executive leadership development. This expertise extends to strategic advising and executive coaching for University Presidents and Senior Administrators, encompassing areas such as crisis management, strategic visioning, and board governance. Lieberman’s international influence is evident through her work with the International Association of University Presidents, where she focusses on enhancing leadership skills for international female presidents and crisis management strategies. Additionally, at the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, Lieberman has successfully fostered relationships with elected officials.

Lieberman has extensive board leadership experience, which includes board membership as well as Chair of particular Boards: The Inland Empire Economic Partnership, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, (Governance Chair) Casa Colina Hospital and Rehabilitation, (Board Chair) the Council of Urban and Metropolitan Universities, (Board Chair) the New American Colleges and Universities, the International Association of University Presidents, and, (Finance Chair) La Plaza de Cultural Y Artes.

Throughout her career, Lieberman has been recognized for her leadership. This includes being named to the Hall of Champions for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (2023); Woman of the Year by Assemblymember Holden (2023); Woman of Distinction by Senator Portantino (2023), CEO of the Year by the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership (2021), and the Ellis Island Award (2016). She has also received honorary doctorates from Wagner College, I-Shou University (Taiwan), and the Western University of Health Sciences.

Lieberman has published extensively on leadership, intercultural communication, institutional transformation, the future of higher education, and community impact. These include five books and monographs, 16 book chapters, 30 articles and editorials, and at least 50 scholarly presentations.

Prior to assuming the presidency at the University of La Verne, Lieberman spent more than two decades at both Wagner College in New York City and Portland State University serving as provost and VP for academic affairs, vice provost, and tenured full professor. She holds a PhD in Intercultural Communication from the University of Florida, an MA in Intercultural Communication from San Diego State University, a BA in Communication Studies from Humboldt State University, and an AA from Mt. San Antonio Community College.