Pepperdine Hosts Homeboy Industries' Former CEO for Faith and Business Lecture

Thomas Vozzo shared lessons on servant leadership and prioritizing people over profits.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:51pm

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Pepperdine University's Faith and Business Initiative welcomed Thomas Vozzo, the former CEO and current senior advisor of Homeboy Industries, for a lecture on his journey from the corporate world to leading the Los Angeles-based nonprofit focused on reentry services for formerly incarcerated gang members. Vozzo discussed how his faith grew through working alongside Homeboy's founder, Father Greg Boyle, and learning to prioritize people over profits.

Why it matters

Vozzo's story highlights the potential for business leaders to find purpose and meaning by shifting their focus from maximizing shareholder value to serving marginalized communities. His experience provides insights on how faith can inform a more compassionate and relational approach to leadership.

The details

After a 26-year career as an executive at the for-profit company Aramark, Vozzo left the corporate world to volunteer at Homeboy Industries. Two months later, he was asked to take over as Homeboy's CEO, leading the nonprofit through a period of growth despite its limited financial resources. Working alongside Father Greg Boyle, Vozzo learned to prioritize relationships and find joy in serving others, which reshaped his perspective on business and leadership.

  • Vozzo began volunteering at Homeboy Industries in an unspecified year.
  • Two months after starting as a volunteer, Vozzo was asked to become Homeboy's CEO.
  • Pepperdine University hosted Vozzo's lecture on April 1, 2026.

The players

Thomas Vozzo

The former CEO and current senior advisor of Homeboy Industries, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit focused on reentry services for formerly incarcerated gang members.

Father Greg Boyle

The founder of Homeboy Industries, who introduced Vozzo to an "upside-down business model" that prioritizes people over profits.

Regan Schaffer

The divisional dean of Seaver College's Business Administration Division at Pepperdine University.

Jooho Lee

An associate professor of business ethics and law at Pepperdine University and a faculty member leading the Faith and Business Initiative.

Chris Collins

An associate professor of organizational behavior and management at Pepperdine University and a faculty member leading the Faith and Business Initiative.

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What they’re saying

“Tom exemplifies the attributes of servant leadership that I seek to develop in my students. It's not just the ministry and philosophy of Homeboy, it's also Tom. His story and his storytelling are so powerful that anytime is the right time for a visit from him.”

— Regan Schaffer, Divisional dean of Seaver College's Business Administration Division at Pepperdine University

“I often think back to beatitudes, where Jesus says blessed are the poor in spirit, for they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Jesus is talking about our people. They are authentic. They have, in my observation, a true sense of God. They are our guides and witnesses on how to find faith.”

— Thomas Vozzo, Former CEO of Homeboy Industries

“Once people heal, they love others. They love others when they learn to love themselves. And they love themselves, when they find, deep down, that God loves them.”

— Thomas Vozzo, Former CEO of Homeboy Industries

“I can't think of many places better than Pepperdine to study the relationship between business and the Christian faith. We look forward to continuing the conversation here in the coming years.”

— Jooho Lee, Associate professor of business ethics and law at Pepperdine University

What’s next

Pepperdine's Faith and Business Initiative plans to host more lectures and events exploring the intersection of faith and business in the coming years.

The takeaway

Vozzo's journey from the corporate world to leading a nonprofit focused on serving marginalized communities demonstrates how faith can inspire a more compassionate and relational approach to business leadership, prioritizing people over profits.