Pete Peterson is the Braun Family Dean of Pepperdine University's School of Public Policy. He's a noted speaker and writer on topics ranging from viewpoint diversity in academia to local government leadership and technology. Prior to his dean's role, Peterson headed the School's Davenport Institute for Public Engagement, which trains and consults with municipal leaders in improving public processes. He serves on the boards of the Jack Miller Center and Karsh Institute (at UVA). He has served on the board of the bipartisan nonprofit, California Forward, and the Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship at the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. He was the Republican candidate for California secretary of state in 2014.