Pete Peterson

Pete Peterson is Dean of the School of Public Policy at Pepperdine University, where he holds the Braun Family Dean’s Chair and serves as a Senior Fellow at the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership. A nationally recognized speaker and writer on civic participation, public leadership, and democratic citizenship, he has dedicated much of his career to strengthening civic engagement and helping communities better understand the responsibilities of citizenship.

Peterson’s work has included training thousands of public officials in effective civic leadership and public engagement. He has written for publications including The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and San Francisco Chronicle, and has served with numerous organizations devoted to civic education, public policy, and American democratic institutions.

His appreciation for America’s veterans is also deeply personal. Raised by a single mother, Peterson has described his uncle, Rick, a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and Purple Heart recipient, as a father figure in his life. As a college student, Peterson recorded his uncle’s experiences in Vietnam for an academic project—an encounter that left him with a lasting understanding of the sacrifice’s veterans carry with them long after their service has ended.

Peterson brought his perspective as a historian, educator, and man of faith to the World War II Heroes Foundation documentary America at 250: Through the Eyes of Our Heroes, helping connect the experiences of America’s veterans with the broader story of the nation’s history.

As a member of the World War II Heroes Foundation Advisory Board, Peterson brings a distinguished background in education, civic leadership, and public service, along with a deep faith and a commitment to preserving the lessons of history and passing them on to future generations.

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