Marjorie M. Scardino
Marjorie M. Scardino
Doctor of Commerce
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Psychology from Baylor University in 1969, she pursued a Bachelor of Law degree, graduating from the University of San Francisco in 1975.
Until 1985, she was a partner in a law firm in Savannah, Georgia, as well as being the publisher and founder with her husband of the Pulitzer Prize winning newspaper, The Georgia Gazette. She then spent 12 years as the Chief Executive of the Economist Group and is now the Chief Executive of Pearson, the international media group whose primary business operations include Pearson Education (incorporating businesses such as Scott Foresman, Prentice Hall, Addison Wesley and educational testing, data and software operations); the Financial Times Group and Penguin books. Pearson also owns a 50% state in The Economist.
For her successful business leadership, particularly in the publication of educational material and also her very positive role model, Dr. Scardino has been granted a number of honorary degrees from institutions such as New School University, Brunel University, the Heriot-Watt University and Exeter University. She has also been presented with a number of prestigious awards, including the New York City Partnership?s International Commerce and Leadership Award; the Women?s Economic Round Table Award; Baylor University Alumni Association?s Distinguished Alumni Award; Futuro Business Magazine (Spain) Best European Business Person of 2001; the University of Iowa?s Business Leadership Award; and the National Centre for Learning Difficulties? Spirit of Achievement Award. In addition, in February 2002, she was named a Dame Commander of the British Empire and is an Honorary Fellow of the London Business School as well as a Fellow of the City and Guilds of the London Institute. She is a non-executive member of Nokia Corporation and a member of a large number of charitable and advisory boards, including The Carter Center and The Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Dr. Scardino is married to Albert Scardino, a journalist, and they have three children.