Faculty
The School of Business faculty & staff seek to make a difference professionally, academically, and spiritually in the lives of their students. Over a dozen national and institutional awards have been earned by business faculty in teaching, advising, research, and community service. Our professors have a broad range of experience and backgrounds, including business executives, entrepreneurs, attorneys, CPAs, marketing & communication experts, information systems specialists, and economists. In addition, many of our faculty run their own businesses, so they know about the real world and can bring it right into the classroom. Their primary motivation is to be in the classroom with their students or in a lab working on real-world projects. With an open-door policy, students are encouraged to visit professors in their offices or even contact them at home. Faculty members are ready to be friends and mentors and to build relationships that students will value for a lifetime.
See what degrees you can earn when you learn from these professors.

Stephen Pilgrim
Dean and Professor of Economics & Marketing
(509) 527-2368
stephen.pilgrim@wallawalla.edu
Education
- PhD - Economics, University of the West Indies, Barbados, WI
- MA - Marketing, University of Westminster, London, UK
- MPhil - Economics, University of Reading, Berkshire, UK
- BS - Management Studies, University of the West Indies, Barbados, WI
- Post-graduate Certificates: Higher Education (UK), Marketing (UK), and Project Management (WI)
Teaching Areas
- USA: Economics, Global Management & Marketing, Business
- UK: International Marketing, Strategic Planning, Small Business Simulation Modeling
- Caribbean: Economics, Finance, Investment Management
Experience
- Professor: Middlesex University (UK), University of Southern Caribbean, University of West Indies, University of Montemorelos (MEX), and Walla Walla University
- Vice President: Division of Development and Planning, University of Southern Caribbean
- Lead Auditor: Quality Management Systems, ISO, Latin American & Caribbean Region
- Director: Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad & Tobaggo
- Principal Consultant: DCG (USA), ESBRU (UK), GTC (UK), and GSC (South America)
Professional Memberships / Qualifications
- ISO, Lead Auditor, PECB, Canada
- PG Certificate in Project Management, UWI
- Memberships: Chartered Institute of Marketing, Institute of Management, UK
Research Interests
- Academic: Leadership, teaching, innovation, and entrepreneurship
- Corporate: FDI-led development, turnaround strategies for micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)
- International: Investment promotions, global marketing, and FDI wealth management
Research Publications
- Pilgrim, Stephen and Dexter Gittens, (2013) “FDI and Human Capital. The Paradox of Developing Countries”. Journal of Finance, Accounting and Management, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 6-49
- International Economics Forum (Ph.D. Presentation) – University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados; ‘A Structural Analysis of the Caribbean economy- using Chenery Model’. [May 2011]
- International Economics Forum (Ph.D. Presentation) – University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados; ‘Drivers of FDI Attraction & Retention in the Caribbean’. [May 2011]
- Pilgrim, Stephen and Sunday Iyare, (2008) "Foreign direct investment (FDI) and the global food crisis. A study of the Windward Islands’ agricultural sector." Economics Bulletin, Vol. 3, No. 59 pp. 1-15
- International Economics Forum (Ph.D. Presentation) – University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados; ‘Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment. A Study of the Windward Islands’ [Sept. 2008]
Personal Interests / Hobbies
- Student-related: Coaching, mentoring, and motivational speaking
- Church-related: Singing, preaching, and outdoor activities
- Family-related: Traveling

As office manager, Lana "runs" the School of Business with proficiency and grace. In addition, she serves as "departmental mom" to our students, occasionally distributing Band-Aids and Tylenol and soothing emotional and relational distresses as well. In addition, Lana is a skillful card-maker, creating hundreds of beautiful birthday cards every year for our students and staff.

Education
- PhD - Economics, Western Michigan University, 2016
- MS - Economics, East Carolina University, 2009
- BS - Economics, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, 2007
Teaching Areas
Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Development Economics, Comparative Economics, International Trade & Finance, Investments, and Business Statistics
Research/Interests
- The analysis of Global Value Chain Fragmentation on International Trade
- The effect of trade agreements on the U.S. economy
Hobbies
Family, travel, backpacking, and baking

Education
- JD (cum laude) – University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law
- MA - Integrated Marketing Communication, Marist College
- MA – Environmental Science & Natural Resource Journalism, University of Montana (in progress)
- BA – History, Whitman College
Teaching Areas
Marketing, Advertising, Consumer Behavior, Digital Marketing, Marketing Research, Business Ethics, Business Communication, and Project Management. Previously taught courses in Nonprofit Marketing, Marketing Management, Business Law, Public Relations, and Public Relations Writing.
Professional Experience
- Cofounder, Red Canoe Creative (marketing & graphic design agency)
- Founder, Pineapple Social Media (digital marketing agency)
- Communication Director, Kalibrate Blockchain Corp.
- Adjunct Professor, Business Law, Flathead Valley Community College
- Communication Director, ASI
- Senior Research Editor, Florida Law Review
- Summer Associate, Holland & Knight and Dean-Mead
- Legal Research & Writing Fellowship, University of Florida College of Law
- Appellate Advocacy Fellowship, University of Florida College of Law
- Research Assistant, Estates & Trusts, University of Florida College of Law
Honors & Awards
- School of Business Excellence in Teaching Award, Walla Walla University (2016 and 2020)
- Excellence for the Future Award: Alternative Dispute Resolution, University of Montana School of Law (2003)
- Ralph H. Martin Book Award, Estates & Trusts, University of Florida College of Law (1998)
- Distinguished Note Award, Florida Law Review (1997)
- Accomplished Research Award, Florida Law Review (1997)
- George W. Milam Award (Best Comment), Florida Law Review (1996)
Certifications:
- Hootsuite Platform & Social Marketing
- Hubspot Social Media Marketing
Memberships:
- American Marketing Association
- Insights Association (Marketing Research Association)
- Scribes (The American Society of Legal Writers)
- Legal Writing Institute
- Phi Delta Phi (The International Legal Honors Society)
- Phi Beta Kappa (American Honors Society)
- Project Management Institute
Publications
- Editor and regular news and feature writer on marketing, nonprofits, law, religion, business ethics, environmental science and natural resources.
- Case Comment: Constitutional Law: Can Single-Sex Education as an Aspect of Diversity Qualify as an Important Governmental Interest Under the Intermediate Scrutiny Standard?, 48 Fla. L. Rev. 337 (Apr. 1996).
- Note: Florida's Corporate Qualification Statute: Implications for Foreign Lenders, 49 Fla. L. Rev. 139 (Jan. 1997)
Research Interests
- Behavioral Economics
- Business and Environmental Ethics & Sustainability
- Marketing Strategy / Branding & Positioning
Personal Interests
Hiking, mountain climbing and exploring in and around Western Montana’s Glacier National Park, passenger train history and culture, helping other people tell their stories, and spending time with family.

Steven Forbis
Assistant Professor of Management & Information Systems
(509) 527-2096
steven.forbis@wallawalla.edu
Education
- Doctor of Education (EdD), Specialization in Educational Leadership & Management
- Master of Business Administration (MBA), Emphasis in Healthcare Administration
Teaching Areas
- Computer Business Applications, Information Systems, Data Analytics & Visualization, Operations Management
Professional Experience
- Over two decades of IT experience as a manager and network engineer, including 16 years at a Fortune 100 company
- Substitute teacher in public and private elementary and secondary schools
Research Interests
- Company culture and the impact on employee performance and retention
- Motivation and leadership
Memberships
- American Telemedicine Association
Hobbies
- Traveling, cooking, flying, spending time with friends and family

Website for Leadership Coaching
Education
- PhD (ABD) - Organizational Leadership, Andrews University
- MS - Administration, Andrews University
Teaching Areas
Business Ethics, Business Communication, Principles of Management, Strategic Management, Organizational Behavior, Entrepreneurship, Leadership
Research/Interests
- Immigration entrepreneurship (dissertation topic)
- Emotional intelligence in the workplace
- Innovation and creativity
- Change management
- Ethics and corporate social responsibility
- Negotiations and dispute resolution
- Small business and start-ups
Other
Awards and Honors
- 2017 Community Recognition Award, Ministry of Provincial Parliament, Ontario, Canada
- 2015 Signature Affairs Recognition, House of Commons, Parliament of Canada
- 2013 Excellent in Education Award, Ontario Conference of SDA Church
- 2011 Culture Manager Recognition, City of London, Ontario, Canada
- 2007 Hispanic Entrepreneur of the Year, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Cincinnati, Ohio
- 2006 Hispanic Business of the Year, LULAC Ohio Distinguished Hispanics, Cincinnati, Ohio
- 2004 Ohioan of the Year, Ohio Commission of Hispanic/Latino Affairs, Columbus, Ohio
Activities
- Business/leadership coach
- Co-owner of Hola! Ethnic Media
- Public & motivational speaker
- Cultural training

Brian Schaffner
Assistant Professor of Accounting & Management
(509) 527-2953
brian.schaffner@wallawalla.edu
Education
- Master’s in Business Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / Accounting
Experience
- Served over the past three decades in a variety of capacities, including CEO, CFO, CIO, and controller in senior-living, assisted-living, and skilled-nursing facilities, retail stores, and educational institutions
- Previously taught classes in accounting, personal finance, welding, auto mechanics, and aviation ground school
Teaching Areas
- Principles of Financial & Managerial Accounting, Personal Finance, Business Basics, Principles of Management, Human Resource Management
Hobbies
- Mountain biking, skiing, flying, youth ministry, and family

Bruce Toews
Assoc. Dean and Professor of Accounting & Finance
(509) 527-2376
bruce.toews@wallawalla.edu
Education
- Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) - Finance Specialization
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Finance Emphasis
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) - Accounting Concentration
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State of Washington
Teaching Areas
- Managerial Finance, Personal Income Tax, Personal Finance, Intermediate Accounting, Auditing, Accounting Information Systems, Government & Not-for-Profit Accounting, Real Estate, Financial Markets & Institutions, Investments, Cost & Managerial Accounting, Advanced Accounting
Experience
- Professor of Accounting/Finance/Economics for over 30 years at several schools, including Walla Walla University, Union College, and Whitman College (adjunct)
- CPA Professional Services for 30+ years: Own and operate a small firm providing part-time services in accounting, tax, auditing, wealth management, personal financial planning, and software consulting
- Staff auditor at an auditing firm
Awards
- WWU School of Business Teaching Excellence Award
- WWU Community Service Award
- C. Michael and Delona Lang Bell Outstanding Teacher Award, WWU
- ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs)
- NACADA Outstanding Faculty Academic Advising Award (National Academic Advising Association)
- WWU Excellence in Academic Advisement Award
- WWU School of Business Teaching Excellence Award
- WWU Presidential Excellence in Teaching Award
- WWU School of Business Teaching Excellence Award
Memberships
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Research Interests
- The influence of religion and culture on investment practices
- Assessing and increasing the level of professional skepticism among financial auditors
- The rising significance of intangible assets and the challenges of valuation
- Financial metrics for not-for-profit organizations
- Historical and current regulatory developments in the credit union industry
Personal Interests / Hobbies
- Bird-watching, hiking, singing, playing keyboard/guitar, and motorcycle riding

Education
- JD, Seattle University
- BA-History, Walla Walla University
Teaching Areas
Business Law
Experience
- Attorney at Law and Trust Officer, Upper Columbia Corporation of SDA
- Private law practice for 31 years in Walla Walla, Tacoma, and Seattle
Other
A beloved pastor used to ask people: "What are some of the first words you hope to hear in heaven someday?" Lawyer Bob was never asked, but would have replied, "Next up on the No. 1 Tee . . . "
Other Collaborating Faculty (Adjunct):
- Duane Anderson, MS (Information Systems)
- Alex Bryan, D. Min., MS (Healthcare)
- Preston Carman, MBA, MS (Information Systems)
- John Cress, D.Min. FCEP (Fundraising)
- Hillary Dickerson, PhD (Economics)
- James Foster, JD, MBA, MS (Information Systems)
- Kelsi Gilkey, MS (Business Taxation)
- Monty Knittel, MBA (Marketing)
- Ernest Semotiuk, MBA (Public Relations)