Making history: La Verne’s first Doctor of Business Administration successfully defends

On March 14, 2025, the University of La Verne made history with its first-ever dissertation defense in the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program. Ehsan Danesh, a student in the program,  successfully defended his research on financial storytelling.

From the very beginning, Danesh had a clear goal. He didn’t just want to earn a degree. He wanted to push himself, contribute new ideas, and inspire his fellow students. He set out to be the first to defend his dissertation, not for the title, but to prove what was possible.

His dissertation focused on an important but often overlooked part of finance: storytelling. CFOs are usually known for their technical skills, but Danesh’s research showed that how they communicate financial information is just as important. His study looked at CFOs in the entertainment industry and how they use storytelling to explain numbers, build trust, and influence decisions. His work combined leadership, psychology, and strategy to highlight the human side of finance.

Danesh’s defense was more than just an academic requirement. It was a major event, and to the faculty, students, campus leaders, and business executives who gathered to watch, a celebration.

Dr. Louise Kelly, one of his dissertation committee members, praised his work for being original and powerful. “His highly original insights into financial storytelling challenged conventional thinking and set a new benchmark for clarity, engagement, and impact,” she said. “His work highlights why storytelling should be a required course for both undergraduate and graduate business students—it’s a vital key to unlocking wealth, influence, and business success.”

Dr. Zhen Zhang, Director of the DBA program, celebrated Danesh’s dedication and the impact of his work. “Earning a doctoral degree is a challenging journey that demands intellectual curiosity, dedication, discipline, and perseverance. Ehsan Danesh has set an inspiring example for future DBA students, and we are incredibly proud of his achievement,” She stated. “This accomplishment also highlights the invaluable guidance of his dissertation chair and committee members, who have supported him throughout the process.”

Dr. Christine Jagannathan, another committee member, reflected on Danesh’s academic growth. “I had the privilege of witnessing Ehsan’s growth from his initial topic ideas in his very first class in our program to his submission of a fully developed and polished dissertation. It was satisfying to experience each milestone he achieved along the way,” she said. “His defense felt like a celebration of all his hard work and perseverance.”

Dr. Adham Chehab, the Chair of the Dissertation Committee, also shared his thoughts indicating “His dissertation addresses a timely and important topic, storytelling in financial management, and we should be optimistic about the future of the DBA program.”

One of the most memorable moments of the defense was when Danesh asked his committee members to sign a University of La Verne baseball cap, a meaningful way to show his gratitude and school pride.

Danesh’s journey is an inspiration and a blueprint for future students. The University of La Verne’s DBA program is off to a great start!