Antonio Bernardo to Step Down as Dean of UCLA Anderson

Dear Colleagues:

I am writing to share that UCLA Anderson School of Management Dean Antonio Bernardo has informed me of his decision to step down from his role at the end of the 2024–25 academic year. At that time, he will have served as Anderson’s dean for six years, and will return to his research and teaching as a 30-year veteran of the school’s finance faculty. 

Under Dean Bernardo’s principled and skilled leadership, UCLA Anderson initiated a comprehensive, data-driven strategic plan to enhance and update all of its curricular and extra-curricular offerings. With the activation of that plan well underway, Dean Bernardo believes the time will be right at year-end to inject new energy and ideas into the school’s leadership. Over the course of the coming year, he will continue to advance the school’s strategic priorities, including curriculum innovation, faculty research to address critical business and social issues, and new programs that create more opportunities for underrepresented groups to pursue graduate education. We will share more information about the leadership transition at Anderson at a later date.  

Since his appointment in 2019, Dean Bernardo has worked closely with the school’s Board of Advisors, faculty, administrators, students and alumni to position Anderson for long-term success. In partnership with the school’s faculty chairs, he has strengthened UCLA Anderson’s world-class ladder faculty, recruiting 25 new hires, half of whom are women. Working across campus, he has deepened cross-disciplinary partnerships through the launch and expansion of innovative programs, including the new UCLA Sports Leadership and Management Program and multiple programs to strengthen the school’s growing focus on healthcare and cleantech. Dean Bernardo has shepherded ongoing updates to the school’s M.B.A. curriculum that place a greater emphasis on technology including AI, analytics, the global economy, and collaborative and inclusive leadership. He also has led schoolwide efforts to enhance high-impact career opportunities for students and to develop lifelong learning opportunities for alumni. 

Throughout his tenure, Dean Bernardo has helped the school maintain a strong financial position, allowing it to enhance student financial aid, hire new faculty, maintain staffing levels and invest in strategic priorities. He has also served on several key campuswide committees, including chairing UCLA’s search for a new vice chancellor and chief financial officer.

I am deeply grateful to Tony for his many years of steadfast and innovative service to UCLA Anderson and to the broader campus, and Interim Chancellor Hunt and I look forward to working with him during his final year as dean.

Sincerely,

Michael S. Levine
Interim Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost