Anna Kwong and Judy Bruton
Anna Kwong, who has been an adjunct faculty with the Antioch University Santa Barbara MBA program since its inception in 2014, has been named interim program director as the second cohort begins this Fall.
Outgoing program director Judy Bruton announced Anna’s appointment during the program’s residency last weekend that brought together for the first time the first MBA cohort, which will graduate in December, and the second cohort just starting. After a round of applause, Anna addressed both cohorts and praised Judy’s role in the creation of the MBA program.
“Judy was a wonderful person to work with and work for. For the MBA program to come to this stage, I give Judy 99% of the credit,” Anna said. “We’ll continue to take care of our current students and make sure our incoming second cohort gets off to a great start.”
“You still have to do all your homework,” she added, drawing laughs from the students.
Judy said Anna would be part of the committee to hire a permanent chair for the MBA department, and that Anna will continue teaching in the program while serving as interim program director.
“Anna Kwong is an extraordinary teacher who is passionate about our unique MBA program, with its focus on social businesses and strategic leadership,” Judy said. “She has been an invaluable partner in the launch and first year of the program, and I could not feel any more comfortable with our leadership transition. I know that our students and faculty will be in excellent hands, with Anna serving as our interim chair, and Lindsay Crissman, who does an amazing job, remaining as our MBA department’s program coordinator.”
Anna was born and raised in Hong Kong during the time it was a British Colony and has lived in the UK and in Canada before becoming an American citizen in 2002. Her professional expertise includes international business management, leadership and trade. She also has taught at Santa Barbara City College for over 16 years.
