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Ruth Bernstein

Associate Professor of Nonprofit Management
Business Administration, Seaver College
CCB 361

Biography

Dr. Ruth Sessler Bernstein is an Associate Professor of Nonprofit Management at the Pepperdine University. She earned an undergraduate degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and MS from Brown University both in Geology. Subsequently she received a MA in Philanthropy from Indiana University’s School of Philanthropy and a Doctorate of Management from Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of management. She was an Assistant Professor of Nonprofit Studies at the University of Washington Tacoma (2015-2020). Her publication and research interests focus on (1) diversity and inclusive interactions, and (2) nonprofit governance. In 2021, her book Performance Through Diversity and Inclusion: Leveraging Organizational Practices for Equity and Results was published with co-authors Judy Weisinger and Paul Salipante. Dr. Bernstein is a regular presenter at ARNOVA (Association for Research in Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action) and AOM (Academy of Management). Her publications have appeared in numerous nonprofit and management journals, including Nonprofit Management and Leadership, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: An International Journal, and Journal of Business Ethics. In her free time, you can find her reading great books, or outside hiking, kayaking, and skiing with family and friends.

Education

  • Doctor of Management, Case Western Reserve University, 2011

 

Books:

Publications in Peer-Reviewed Journals:

  • Rolf, S., Tuggle, C., Schlachter, S., & Bernstein, R.S. (2022). Predictors of Organizational Diversity: Examining Community Demographics & Political Ideology. Nonprofit Voluntary Sector Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1177/08997640221114108
  • Bernstein, R.S. & Aspin, T. (2022). Leveraging Social Justice During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership, Vol. 12(2), 4-16.
  • Fredette, C. & Bernstein, R.S. (2021). Governance Effectiveness: The Interaction of Ethno-Racial Diversity and Social Capital. Nonprofit Voluntary Sector Quarterly, Vol. 50(4), 816-841. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0899764020977698 [Best Research Paper, ARNOVA, Governance Section, 2021]
  • Bernstein, R.S. & Aspin, T. (2020). Rescue Mission’s Dilemma: Moral Values vs. Service Provision. Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership, 10(3), 307-318.
  • Bernstein, R. S., Bulger, M., Salipante, P., & Weisinger, J. Y. (2019). From Diversity to Inclusion to Equity: A Theory of Generative Interactions. Journal of Business Ethics, Vol. 167(3), 395-410. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10551-019-04180-1.pdf
  • Fredette, C. & Bernstein, R.S. (2019). Ethno-racial Diversity on nonprofit Boards: A Critical Mass Perspective. Nonprofit Voluntary Sector Quarterly. 48(5), 931-952. [Selected as Editor’s Choice Top Article from 2018-2019 in Nonprofit Voluntary Sector Quarterly https://journals.sagepub.com/topic/collections-nvs/nvs-1-editors_choice/nvs]
  • Bernstein, R.S., Aulgur, J., & Freiwirth, J (2019). Case Studies: Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Nonprofit Governance. Journal of Nonprofit Education and Learning, 9(4), 378-418.
  • Towey, W. & Bernstein, R.S. (2019). Incorporating Community Grant Writing as a Service Learning Project in a Nonprofit Studies Course: A Case Study. Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership, 9(3), 300-318.
  • Aulgur, J., & Bernstein, R.S. (2018). Invisible Children: Advocacy and Accidental Viral Marketing.  Journal of Nonprofit Education and Learning, 8, 198-201.
  • Bernstein, R.S. (2018) ARNOVA Governance Symposium Case Studies for Use in the Classroom and Practitioner Training Study Guide. Journal of Nonprofit Education and Learning, 8, 214-229.
  • Bernstein, R.S. & Salipante, P. (2017). Intercultural Comfort through Social Practices: Exploring Conditions for Cultural Learning.  Frontiers in Leadership in Education. Vol. 2, Article 31. doi:10.3389/feduc.2017.00031. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2017.00031/full

  • Bernstein, R. S. (2017). The Legacy of the American Legacy Foundation. Journal of Nonprofit Education and Learning. Special Issue 2, 33-46.
  • Bernstein, R.S., & Aulgur, J. (2017). What Went Wrong at the Wounded Warrior Project. Journal of Nonprofit Education and Learning. Special Issue 2, 28-32.
  • Bernstein, R.S., Buse, K., & Bilimoria, D. (2016). Exploring the Impact of CEO Tenure and Effective Board Performance on Organizational Change. American Journal of Management, 16(4), 26-38.
  • Bernstein, R.S., Buse, K., & Bilimoria, D. (2016). Revisiting Agency and Stewardship Theories: Perspectives from Nonprofit Board Chairs and CEOs. Nonprofit and Management Leadership, 26(4), 489-498.
  • Buse, K., Bernstein, R.S., & Bilimoria, D. (2016). Exploring the Influence of Nonprofit Board Diversity (Racial/Ethnic, Age, and Gender), Diversity Practices, and Inclusion Behaviors on Board Performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 133(1), 179-191. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10551-014-2352-z#/page-1
  • Bernstein, R., Ambrosio, F., & Slatten, L.A. (2015). The Challenges of Foundation Stewardship: When a Philanthropic Gift Becomes a Burden. Journal of Applied Case Research, V 13 (1), 32-52. http://swcra.net/journal-of-applied-case-research/cases/journal-of-applied-case-research-jacr-volume-13-number-1/
  • Bernstein, R. S., Hamilton, J. B., & Slatten, L.A. (2015). Understanding Donor Intent: Legal and Ethical Lessons from a Religious Nonprofit. Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics, 12(4), 45-58.
  • Bernstein, R.S. & Salipante, P. (2015). Comfort versus discomfort in interracial/interethnic interactions. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: An International Journal, 34(5), 376-394. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1108/EDI-06-2014-0050

  • Bernstein, R.S., Buse, K., & Slatten, L.A. (2015). Nonprofit Board Performance: Board Members’ Understanding their Roles and Responsibilities. American Journal of Management, 15(1) 24-35.  http://www.nabusinesspress.com/AJM/BernsteinR_Web15_1_.pdf
  • Bernstein, R.S. & Bilimoria, D. (2013). The influence of Organizational Diversity Perspectives on Minority Nonprofit Board Member Inclusion. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: An International Journal. 32(7), 636-653. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1108/EDI-02-2012-0010

Book Chapters:

  • Salipante, P., Weisinger, J. Y., & Bernstein, R. S. (Forthcoming Summer 2022). “Managing Human Resources in the Nonprofit Sector” in Managing Human Resources in the Nonprofit Sector:  Equipping Organizations to be Democratic, Diverse, Inclusive, and Employee-Friendly (ed. Amanda Janis Stewart) Sagamore-Venture Publishing. 
  • Bernstein, R.S. (2019). “Nonprofit Boards of Directors: Laws and Duties” in Nonprofit Law: A Guide for Administrators (eds. Dolch, N.A. & Herson, B.) Sagamore Venture Publishing.
  • Bernstein, R.S., Bilimoria, D., Crary L., & Blancero, D. (2015). “Reflections on Diversity and Inclusion Practices at the Organizational, Group, and Individual Levels” in Oxford Handbook on Diversity in Organizations (eds Bendl/Bleijenberg/Hentonnen/Mills). Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. Pp. 109-126. 

Encyclopedia Entry:

  • Bernstein, R.S. & Salipante, P. (forthcoming). Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Nonprofits (Staff and Executive Leadership). Encyclopedia of Nonprofit Management, Leadership and Governance. 

Guest Editor: Journal Special Issue:

  • Bernstein, R.S., & Freiwirth, J. (2017). ARNOVA Governance Symposium Case Studies For Use in the Classroom and Practitioner Training. Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership. Special Issue 2, 1-3.

Guest Editor: Journal Special Section:

  • Bernstein, R.S., & Freiwirth, J. (2018). ARNOVA Governance Symposium Case Studies For Use in the Classroom and Practitioner Training. Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership, 8(2), 196-197.
  • Bernstein, R.S., Crary, L., & Bilimoria, D. (2015). Working Effectively Across Differences—Diversity and Inclusion at the Individual, Team, and Organizational Levels. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: An International Journal, 34(5), 354-359.

Conference Proceedings:

  • Bernstein, R.S. & Fredette, C. 2019. The Impact of Leadership Diversity among Nonprofit Organizations. Proceedings of the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management. Online ISSN: 2151-6561.
  • Bernstein, R.S., Ambrosio, F. & Slatten, L.A. 2014. The Challenges of Foundation Stewardship: When a Philanthropic Gift becomes a Burden. Proceedings, 48th Annual Conference of the Northwest Accounting Research Group, Leavenworth, WA.
  • Bernstein, R.S. & Salipante, P. 2011. The Practices of a Non-Diversity-Focused Organization and Their Impact on its Member’s Intercultural Behavioral Comfort. Proceedings of the First International Conference on Engaged Management Scholarship, Cleveland, Ohio.
  • Best Research Paper, ARNOVA, Governance Section: Governance Effectiveness: The Interaction of Ethno-Racial Diversity and Social Capital. Nonprofit Voluntary Sector Quarterly, Vol. 50(4), 816-841. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0899764020977698
  • Best Paper, ARNOVA, Governance Section, 2019, Penalties and Privileges: An Examination of Influences on Leader Compensation.
  • Best Paper, Academy of Management, Public and Nonprofits (PNP) Section, 2019, The Impact of Leadership Diversity among Nonprofit Organizations.

Refereed Presentations:

  • Bernstein R.S. & Fredette, C. 2021. Nonprofit Chief Executive Compensation: Implications of Board Governance Activities. Presented at the Academy of Management, Virtual Conference.

     

  • Bernstein, R.S. & Aspin, T. 2020. Rescue Mission’s Dilemma: Moral Values vs. Service Provision. Governance Section Colloquy: Contemporary Ethical Challenges in Nonprofit Governance. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, virtual.

     

  • Bernstein, R.S. & Aspin, T. 2020. Oakland Museum of California. Governance Section Pre-Conference Seminar: Nonprofit Governance in an Age of Disruption and Transition: Impacts of COVID-19. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, virtual.

  • Rolf, S., Schlachter, S., Tuggle, C., & Bernstein, R. S. 2020. Predictors of Organizational Diversity: Examining Community Demographics & Political Ideology. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, virtual.
  • Schaffer, R.H., Bernstein R.S., Hudson, M., & Harrison, Y. 2020. Nonprofit and University Collaboration: How Can We Create Healthy Community-based Partnerships Without Causing Nonprofit Burnout? Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, virtual.
  • Bernstein R.S. & Fredette, C. 2020. Chief Executive Compensation: Implications of Board Governance Activities. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, virtual.
  • Fredette, C. & Bernstein R.S. 2020. Influences on Nonprofit Chief Executive Compensation: An Examination of Penalties and Privileges. Presented at the Association for Nonprofit and Social Economy Research (ANSER), London, Ontario.
  • Bernstein R.S. & Fredette, C. 2019. Penalties and Privileges: An Examination of Influences on Leader Compensation. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, San Diego, CA.
  • Guo, C., Renz, D., & Bernstein, R.S. Exploring Power Dynamics in Nonprofit Governance. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, San Diego, CA.
  • Bernstein R.S. & Fredette, C. 2019. Penalty-Costs of Ethno-Racial Board Diversity: A Social Capital Perspective. Presented at the Academy of Management, Boston, MA
  • Bernstein R.S. & Fredette, C. 2019. The impact of Leadership Diversity among Nonprofit Organizations. Presented at the Academy of Management, Boston, MA
  • Fredette, C. & Bernstein R.S. 2019. The Social Penalty Costs of Board Diversity. Presented at the Association for Nonprofit and Social Economy Research (ANSER), Vancouver, BC.
  • Fredette, C. & Bernstein R.S. 2019. Decomposing how Leadership Diversity impacts Nonprofit Organizations. Presented at the Association for Nonprofit and Social Economy Research (ANSER), Vancouver, BC.
  • Bernstein, R.S. & Fredette, C. 2019. Diversity and Inclusion in Nonprofit Governance—No More Excuses! Presented at the MCNL Governance Conference, Kansas City, Missouri.
  • Bernstein R.S. & Fredette, C. 2018. Decomposing the impact of Leadership Diversity among Nonprofit Organizations. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, Austin, TX.
  • Bernstein, R.S. 2018. From Diversity to Equity: Radical Transformation Through Application of The Inclusive Interaction Theory. Presented at the Race and Pedagogy National Conference, Tacoma WA.
  • Bernstein R.S. & Fredette, C. 2018. Institutional Conformance or Strategic Imperative: Should Nonprofit Boards Push Diversity? Presented at the Academy of Management, Chicago, IL.
  • Fredette, C. & Bernstein R.S. 2017. Enhancing Boardroom Performance: Evidence in Favor of Adopting Diversity and Inclusion as a Strategic Imperative. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, Grand Rapids, MI.
  • Bernstein, R.S., Fredette, C., Weisinger, J., Walker, V., & Bulgar, M. 2017. From Diversity to Inclusion: Presenting the Inclusive Interaction Theory. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, Grand Rapids, MI.
  • Bernstein, R.S. 2017. Leading for Purpose and Impact: Maximizing Nonprofit Board Diversity and Inclusion. BoardSource Leadership Forum, Seattle, WA.
  • Bernstein, R. S. & Fredette, C. 2017. Diversity of Nonprofit Boards: A Critical Mass Perspective. Presented at the Academy of Management, Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Bernstein, R.S. 2017. The Many Faces of Nonprofit Governance: Maximizing Nonprofit Board Diversity. Presented at the 2017 MCNL Governance Conference. Kansas City, Missouri.
  • Fredette, C. & Bernstein R.S. 2016. Leadership Diversity in the Boardroom: A Critical Mass perspective of the Impact of Diversity on Board Governance and Performance. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, Washington, D.C.
  • Bernstein, R.S., Salipante, P., Weisinger, J, & Bulgar, M. 2016. Evidence-Based Strategies for Diversity in Educational Institutions: The Strength of Indirect Policies. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, Washington, D.C.
  • Jurgen, W., Reid, W., Ranz,, D., Brown, W., & Bernstein, R. 2015. A One-Size-Fits-All or a Differentiated Governance Approach? An International Exploration of the Factors the Necessitate Fine-Tuning to the Nonprofit Governance Concept. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, Chicago, IL.
  • Bernstein, R.S. & Salipante, P. 2015. Weak vs. Strong Norms of Civility for Cross-Cultural Development. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, Chicago, IL.
  • Bernstein, R. S., Buse, K., & Bilimoria, D. 2015. Exploring the Impact of CEO Tenure and Effective Board Performance on Organizational Change and Oversight. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, Chicago, IL.
  • Bernstein, R. S., Buse, K., & Bilimoria, D. 2014. Perspectives from nonprofit board chairs and CEOs on board operations and performance: Are they really working for the same agency? Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, Denver, CO.
  • Brown, W., Tenuta, R., Bernstein, R, & Van Puyeide, S. 2014. Governance data at BoardSource: Exploring opportunities for analysis. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, Denver, CO.
  • Bernstein, R.S., Ambrosio, F., & Slatten, L.A. 2014. The Challenges of Foundation Stewardship: When a Philanthropic Gift becomes a Burden. Presented at the 48th Annual Conference of the Northwest Accounting Research Group, Leavenworth, WA.
  • Bernstein, R. S. 2014. Creating meaningful intercultural interactions on Campus. Presented at the 2014 Race & Pedagogy Conference, Tacoma, WA.
  • Bernstein, R. S., Buse, K., & Bilimoria, D. 2013. Exploring the influence of nonprofit board diversity (racial/ethnic, age, and gender), diversity practices, and inclusion behaviors on board performance. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, Hartford, CT.
  • Bernstein, R.S. & Davidson, D. 2012. Exploring the Link between Diversity, Inclusive Practices, and Board Performance: An Analysis of the national BoardSource Nonprofit Governance Index. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, Indianapolis, IN.
  • Bernstein, R.S. & Bilimoria, D. 2011. The Influence of Organizational Diversity Perspectives on Minority Nonprofit Board Member Inclusion. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, Toronto, Canada.
  • Bernstein, R.S. & Salipante, P. 2011. Improving Intercultural Behavioral Comfort in a Campus-Based Service Organization. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, Toronto, Canada.
  • Bernstein, R.S. & Salipante, P. 2011. The Practices of a Non-Diversity-Focused Organization and Their Impact on its Members’ Intercultural Behavioral Comfort. Presented at the First International Conference on Engaged Management Scholarship, Cleveland, OH.
  • Bernstein, R.S. & Salipante, P. 2011. The Impact of Non-Diversity-Focused Organizational Practices on Intercultural Behavioral Comfort. Presented at the Academy of Management, San Antonio, TX. • Bernstein, R.S. 2011. Intercultural Interaction: Using Common Strategies to get Results. Presented at NASPA, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Bernstein, R.S. & Salipante, P. 2010. Feeling Comfortable in Intercultural Interactions: Using Common Organizational Strategies to get Uncommon Results in Higher Education Voluntary Service Organizations. Presented at ARNOVA, Washington, D.C.
  • Bernstein, R.S. & Salipante, P. 2010. Feeling Comfortable with Pluralistic Diversity. Presented at the Academy of Management, Montreal, Canada.

Keynote Speaker:

  • Bernstein, R. S. & Walker, V. 10/18/2017. Missed Opportunities: Research and Reflection on Board Inclusion. Keynote Panel Discussion, BoardSource Leadership Forum*Purpose-Drive Practice: A Day of Learning and Sharing for Consultant Members, Seattle, WA.

Additional Presentations:

  • Diversity on Nonprofit Boards: A Critical Mass Perspective. Carleton University, Canada. 2/29/2020. • Writing ARNOVA Proposals and Navigating Conferences. Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University. Annually since 2013.
  • Managing Your Organization. Thriving Organizations: Bright Futures. Nonprofit Learning Summit, Kitsap Center for Nonprofit Excellence. Seabeck, WA. 3/17/2020. (Conference canceled)
  • UW Tacoma SIAS Brown Bag Talk 4/5/17: Changing the Focus from Diversity to Inclusion

Panels and Colloquy:

  • Contemporary Ethical Challenges in Nonprofit Governance. 2020. Colloquy presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, virtual.
  • Donor Plenary. Thriving Organizations: Bright Futures. Nonprofit Learning Summit, Kitsap Center for Nonprofit Excellence. Seabeck, WA. 3/17/2020. (Conference canceled)
  • Harrison, Y., Renz, D., & McCambridge, R. 2019. The Governance of University and Community Engagement. Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, San Diego, CA. Co-organizer and chair of this Governance Section Colloquy.
  • Friewirth, J., Bernstein, R.S., Renz, D., Walker, V., McCambridge, R. & Chao, G. 2019. Exploring Power Dynamics in Nonprofit Governance. Colloquy presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, San Diego CA.
  • Participant on the Community Engaged Learning Panel, 5/28/19.
  • Emerging Scholars Research Roundtable: Gender, Faith and Immigration-Discussant at the 2018 annual meeting of ARNOVA, Austin, TX.
  • Bernstein, R.S. & LeRoux, K. 2018. Why are we Still Struggling with Diversity, Inclusion, & Equity in Nonprofit Governance? Colloquy presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, Austin, TX. Co-organizer and chair. [This session became the subject of an article in Nonprofit Quarterly on 11/20/18 (https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2018/11/20/why-are-we-still-struggling-with-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-nonprofit-governance/). The article was subsequently flagged as one of the twenty most popular and influential articles of 2018.)
  • Fail Forward. University of Washington Tacoma, 1/10/18
  • Best Practices in Sponsoring Student Internships: A Practical Guide to Supporting Students and Promoting Community Engagement. University of Washington Tacoma, 11/28/17
  • Cornforth, C., Larson, O., Coventry, L., & Valeau, P. 2016. A Pluralistic Perspective on Nonprofit Governance: How Should Context be Taken into Account? Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, Washington, D.C. Discussant.
  • Renz, D., Erwin, C., Molinari, C., & Friede, S. 2016. Governance Across the Sectors in a Turbulent Environment: What We Can Learn from the Health Care Field? Presented at the annual meeting of ARNOVA, Washington, D.C. Discussant.

Areas of Expertise

  • Nonprofit Organizations, Nonprofit Sector, Nonprofit Board Governance
  • Inclusive Interactions for Workgroup and Organizational Performance
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Courses

  • BA 498-Service Leadership
  • NPM 301 - Management and Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations
  • NPM 302-Financial Development of Nonprofit Organizations