EVER SINCE he became the chief operating officer of the San Diego Padres in 2016, Erik Greupner ’97 has reflected on the challenges and opportunities faced by Christians in the C-suite. 

“I don’t think the challenges for Christians in executive positions are that different than the challenges anyone faces when leading an organization,” he says. “The opportunity is to lead in an effective, authentic, and ethical manner that is reflective of our Christian beliefs.”

Erik was a letter-winning Wheaton football player, double majored in communication and philosophy, and has a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. He joined the Padres after seven years with international law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. This followed an earlier career in sales and management roles with firms like Goldman Sachs. 

This dual-focused career trajectory is no accident—Erik was intentional in developing both areas of expertise “to become well-rounded and positioned to find a senior leadership role in an organization that would allow me to utilize both of my skill sets.”

Erik credits Wheaton with helping set his career priorities. 

“I was given advice early in my career to avoid chasing money and titles at the expense of opportunities where you can grow and receive quality mentorship,” Erik says. “Thanks to professors and coaches who invested in me, growth and mentorship were hallmarks of my Wheaton experience. Seeking those priorities in my career has been a natural extension of my time at Wheaton.”

How does Erik make the decisions necessary to lead an MLB team? 

“I began to learn at Wheaton the importance of asking God for wisdom in the big and small decisions of life.”