Robert M. McCann

Dr. Robert M. McCann is the Director of the Leadership Communication Program at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, where he has taught Leadership Communication, Entrepreneurship, and Global Leadership courses since 2010. He also holds a secondary faculty appointment at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, serving as Area Director of the Master of Science in Engineering Management Program. Dr. McCann combines academic work with executive education, teaching at the University of Hong Kong and leading UCLA Anderson Executive Education programs in India and the USA.

• Research Focus: Workplace ageism, intergroup communication, cross-cultural leadership, age diversity, and communication strategies in global business.
• Teaching & Consulting: Specializes in executive training for persuasion, leadership, and communication, with clients including Jet Propulsion Laboratories, Johnson & Johnson, and Amgen.
• Awards: Golden Apple Teaching Award; active editorial board member for the Journal of Asian Pacific Communication.
• Global Engagement: Lived in Asia for 20 years, including roles at Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration in Thailand and Diageo’s Johnnie Walker marketing efforts in Asia.

His research on age biases has influenced a U.S. Supreme Court amicus brief. He has authored the book Ageism at Work and contributed to major communication journals. Dr. McCann’s work bridges academia and practice, with emphasis on the societal implications of aging workforces and cross-cultural communication.