Marco Aponte-Moreno

Marco Aponte-Moreno is Professor of Clinical Management and Organization at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business. An interdisciplinary scholar-practitioner, he draws on more than twenty years of professional theater experience and prior senior roles in global corporate finance to investigate how the arts—especially theater—can cultivate leadership skills in business contexts.

Education & Background: Originally from Venezuela, Aponte-Moreno has lived and worked in the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. Before entering academia he held positions at Crédit Lyonnais (France), Mizuho (Japan), and ED&F Man (UK).

Research Focus: His scholarship centers on three interlocking themes:

• Leadership development through experiential learning and improvisation techniques derived from theater.
• Strategic management and cross-cultural negotiations in global organizations.
• The impact of immigration experiences on leadership identity, as evidenced in his qualitative study of twenty high-profile immigrant leaders.

By integrating artistic practice with management theory, he provides novel frameworks for cultivating agility, empathy, and innovation in leaders.

Awards & Recognition: In 2024 he received two Marshall School honors:

• Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Mentoring
• Marshall Teaching Excellence Award

Teaching & Mentorship: Aponte-Moreno regularly teaches undergraduate and graduate courses such as Organizational Behavior and Leadership, Strategic Management, and Leadership and Improvisation, in which students engage in role-play and improvisational exercises to build critical leadership competencies. While no specific PhD or master’s students are named in the provided text, he is noted for outstanding mentoring.

Public Engagement: He is a frequent media commentator, having appeared on KCBS Radio, Pollstar, and Faculti to discuss topics ranging from Venezuelan politics to strategic responses in the live-events industry during economic downturns.