Paula Thompson

Biography

Paula Thompson develops the next generation of leaders through teaching, coaching, and chairing dissertations. As a visiting professor of education and leadership at GSEP, she teaches courses in organizational design and culture, organizational change, qualitative analysis, leadership, and organization theory. Dr. Thompson serves as the education division’s Director of Dissertation Success. This role includes faculty development for dissertation chairs and continuous improvement of dissertation policies, procedures, and communications.

In addition to teaching, Paula is a certified leadership and career coach for BetterUp, the world’s largest virtual coaching company, and Academic Impressions, where she specializes in coaching academic job seekers. Previously, she held faculty affairs and development roles at USC’s Rossier School of Education, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and the Duke University School of Medicine.

Education

• EdD, Pepperdine University
• MPH, UCLA
• BA, Washington University in St. Louis