Margaret J Weber, PhD

Dr. Margaret J. Weber passionately advocates for women of faith — encouraging them to find their voices, embrace their calling, and lead with courage on the global stage. As Program Director, she offers decades of transformative experience, extensive scholarly expertise, and a steadfast belief that faith-inspired leadership can transform lives.

Margaret’s distinguished career in higher education has been guided by a singular mission: opening doors. As Dean and Professor at Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology, and through leadership roles at Oklahoma State University, she worked tirelessly to increase access to education, mentor the next generation of scholars, and foster cultures of inclusion and dignity. Her impact extends well beyond the classroom.

A true global citizen, Margaret has guided graduate students on immersive, transformative journeys where faith and service intersect: partnering with NGOs in Kenya to tackle teen addiction, collaborating with faith-based organizations in Ethiopia to provide education to young children in underserved areas, and experiencing corporate social responsibility firsthand in India. These experiences embody her core belief — that faithful leadership transcends borders.

Diversity and equity have been key aspects of Margaret’s career. At Pepperdine, she led initiatives to enhance diversity among students, faculty, and staff. Her most ambitious project, the Women and Leadership: Work-Life Integration Project, collected insights from over 800 women worldwide and inspired 28 doctoral dissertations. The lesson she holds most dear. Too many women wait too long to step forward — and wish they had led confidently and boldly much sooner.

Margaret’s advocacy goes far beyond academia. As a former board member of the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles, she committed herself to helping women and children experiencing homelessness and trauma from abuse, demonstrating her belief that leadership is fundamentally about service.

Her story started as a teacher in a rural Illinois community, where poverty and limited opportunity laid the foundation for everything she would become. After earning her doctorate at the University of Missouri, Margaret dedicated her research to social equity, educational access, and mentorship — topics she has published extensively on in journals, books, and edited volumes.

At the core of everything is family. Margaret and her husband, Dr. Joseph A. Weber, a sociologist who specializes in gerontology, enjoy life with their sons, Daniel (Heather) and Travis (Harmony), and their families. Their greatest joy? Learning and laughing with their grandchildren: Lucy, Penny, Ellie, Elora, Elias, and Max.

Today, Dr. Weber walks alongside women of faith around the world — meeting them where they are, uplifting them, and reminding them that their voices matter, their leadership is essential, and their time is now.