As Director of Development and Strategic Planning, Wayne Chen helped Dharma Realm Buddhist University become the first accredited institution offering Buddhist liberal education based entirely on classical texts. With a background in strategic and financial planning, Wayne has worked since 2009 to articulate DRBU’s direction, develop an implementation strategy, and advise leadership on major institutional decisions. In 2013, his role expanded to include the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid and overseeing new student recruitment. In his time at DRBU, Wayne also helped facilitate the purchase and management of the University’s downtown Ukiah location at the Sudhana Center. 

Prior to his time at DRBU, Wayne worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company, working with corporate clients in multiple sectors, including finance, transportation, basic materials, and climate change. During his time at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Wayne worked with multinational consumer packaged goods companies in developing e-commerce capabilities. 

Education

Ed.D. Doctoral Candidate, University of Southern California, CA, 2023

M.B.A., University of Chicago Booth School of Business, IL, 2006

B.S. in Economics and Finance, University of Washington, MO, 1999

Positions

Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Dharma Realm Buddhist University, 2013 to Present

Director of Development and Strategic Planning, Dharma Realm Buddhist University, 2009 to Present

Consultant, McKinsey & Company, 2006-2009

Project Coordinator, Dharma Realm Buddhist Association, 2001-2004

Management Consultant, PricewaterhouseCoopers, 1999-2001