Pavitra Kavya

Dr. Pavitra Kavya is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Management Communication at the USC Marshall School of Business. Her work sits at the intersection of leadership, communication, and emerging technology, with a focus on how professionals build influence, credibility, and effective workplace relationships.

Her research examines leadership and organizational communication, particularly how individuals navigate professional hierarchies through advice-seeking, mentorship, and upward communication. She studies how seeking guidance from senior professionals can build trust, signal competence, strengthen relationships, and support career development.

Dr. Kavya also explores the role of artificial intelligence in leadership development and business communication, including how AI-enabled tools can support coaching, decision-making, and communication while strengthening the human capabilities leaders need in increasingly AI-augmented workplaces.

Alongside her academic work, Dr. Kavya has experience as a leadership consultant, designing and facilitating leadership development initiatives for professionals and organizations. Her consulting focuses on leadership communication, persuasion, professional presence, and preparing leaders to navigate emerging workplace challenges, including the integration of AI into leadership development.

At Marshall, Dr. Kavya teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in business and management communication, including BUAD 302, WRIT 340, BUCO 637, and GSBA 542 in the Master of Science in Finance program. Her teaching translates research and practice into applied learning experiences that prepare students to communicate effectively in complex organizational environments. She also serves as an advisor to the Marshall Case Team, mentoring students in high-stakes communication, strategic thinking, teamwork, and professional development.

Dr. Kavya earned her PhD from the University of Oklahoma.