Redefining Leadership in the Creative Economy
Executive PhD Spotlight on Chard Gonzalez
What does it look like to lead with both creativity and conviction in an industry where algorithms increasingly shape artistry? For Chard Gonzalez, the answer is personal, professional, and deeply intentional.
A former professional dancer, current Entertainment Costuming General Lead at Disneyland Resort, and now an Executive PhD student at the Drucker School of Management, Chard is reimagining what leadership in the entertainment industry can and should look like. “This is a place where creativity and critical thinking aren’t just compatible; they’re essential,” he says. “Drucker allows me to bring all of it together.”
As a leader behind the scenes at Disneyland, Chard manages complex teams that keep the show running. His work supports the performers who bring Disney’s stories to life, ensuring both operational excellence and human dignity in an environment where pressure runs high.
“You’re not just moving pieces around,” he says. “You’re caring for artists. For logistics. For the integrity of a story.”
Through his studies at the Drucker School, Chard is adding another layer to that work. His research focuses on AI ethics, trust, and organizational justice, especially in creative environments where the rise of automation is beginning to shape decisions that once belonged to artists and teams. “My question is, can we embrace innovation without erasing the people at its core?”
His recent essay, “Silenced by Design,” explores the risks of adopting AI without considering its cultural and human consequences. “I’m not anti-technology,” he explains. “But technology without ethics can very quickly become exploitation.”
Through his doctoral work, Chard is uncovering patterns he’s experienced firsthand as a performer, educator, and operational leader. “This program didn’t just give me frameworks,” he says. “It gave me language for what I’ve spent a career navigating: how to protect trust, voice, and creativity inside large systems.”
He also brings that leadership into his campus communities at the Drucker School and CGU, participating in writing retreats, interdisciplinary workshops, and cultural exchange. He studies Japanese at Long Beach City College as part of his commitment to global creative collaboration, with an eye toward someday working at Tokyo Disneyland.
Looking ahead, Chard envisions a career that blends research, consulting, and teaching, helping creative institutions adopt tools that strengthen rather than dilute their values. It’s work grounded in integrity, adaptability, and the thoughtful stewardship of people and ideas — principles he continues to refine through his doctoral studies. Whether backstage at Disneyland or writing in the quiet of the Peter Drucker House Museum, his focus remains the same: promoting ethical leadership that amplifies rather than replaces the human voice.
“What Drucker has helped me do is see both the system and the soul inside it,” he says. “And that changes how you lead. It changes what you protect.”
Curious about how you can shape the future of management in your industry? Learn more about the Drucker School’s Executive PhD program.