Professor Jessica Woolworth, CPA, MBA has taught at Vanguard University since 2012, and currently holds the role of Assistant Professor of Accounting. Her academic experience includes a BA from Vanguard University, an MBA from CalState Fullerton, and doctoral candidacy from Grenoble Ecole de Management in France. Her research interests are focused on the fourth industrial revolution and the accounting professional. 

Professor Woolworth has a 20 year background in accounting, taxation, and consulting, focusing on corporate and high-net worth clients. She currently runs her own practice, delivering accounting and taxation services. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the California Society of CPAs. 

Teaching at Vanguard University is one of her greatest joys and privilege. She loves the direction of the institution, and the opportunity afforded her to help students on their individual journeys to success. In 2019, she felt a calling to leave public accounting and enter academia.  

John Thornton is a Professor of Accounting and Interim Director of the Master of Professional Accountancy program at Vanguard University. John is also founder of Getting Rich Right, helping Christians build financial plans for God’s glory. John has served in senior academic positions, most recently as L.P. and Bobbi Leung Chair of Accounting Ethics at Azusa Pacific University, where he launched the L.P. and Timothy Leung School of Accounting.

Prior to APU, John served as Academic Director of the Business School at Washington State University, Tri-Cities, and Director of Faculty Development at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He also served as Chair of the American Accounting Association’s Public Interest Section, and Chair of the AAA’s Professionalism and Ethics Committee. His academic research on auditor independence, auditor litigation, and ethical whistle-blowing has been published in top academic journals, including Accounting, Organizations & Society, Advances in the Public Interest, Research on Professional Responsibility and Ethics in Accounting, and Managerial Auditing Journal.  

His popular press books include Jesus’ Terrible Financial Advice: Flipping the Tables on Peace, Prosperity, and the Pursuit of Happiness (Moody Publishers 2017). His TEDx Talk, Flipping Rich, YouVersion bible study, “Jesus’ Terrible Financial Advice: Eight Day Devotional,” and free 40-day bible study guide, Terrible to Terrific: A Practical Guide to Jesus’ Terrible Financial Advice, are examples of innovative ways he encourages people to handle wealth with integrity. He is also Business Contributor to The Christian Post. John’s current project, Getting Rich Right: How to Use Worldly Wealth to Gain Friends Forever, teaches Christians how to use wealth to fulfill the Great Commandments and Great Commission for God’s glory. 

Dr. Agbor holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Yaoundé II (Cameroon), a Master of Commerce (Cum Laude) in Economics of Trade & Investment from the University of the Western Cape (Cape Town), and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Economics from the University of Cape Town (South Africa).

He has published in high profile journals and contributed several book chapters on international political economy and development issues. Dr. Agbor has a rich and diverse professional background working for government, academia, think tank and the private sector in developing, emerging as well as advanced economy contexts. During 2011-2013, he was a research fellow at the Global Economy & Development division of the Brookings Institution in Washington DC.

He has also consulted for many organizations, including The United Nations, The World Bank, Cornell University (NY), The U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. State Department. In addition, Dr. Agbor has been privileged to serve as a resource person on a high-level panel of international experts on Capital Flight and Tax Havens in sub-Saharan Africa hosted by the African Economic Research Consortium.

He hopes to leverage these diverse experiences in his teaching of economics and finance. Dr. Agbor is also an ordained Minister of the Gospel with the Assemblies of God USA and Senior Pastor of World Missions Christian Fellowship Church in Torrance, CA. He has a passion for empowering young people to reach their God-given potentials. 

Professor Woodrow received his bachelor’s degree at Lipscomb University, later earning master’s degrees at Peabody College and the University of Southern California (USC), and ultimately earned his doctorate at Vanderbilt University. Early in his career, he worked in a variety of settings, including the resort industry, family furniture business, logistics (UPS), and real estate.  

Over the years, he has also consulted to schools and colleges, churches, city councils, and businesses; spoken at management and marketing conferences; published articles in professional journals; and contributed toward books on robotics, management, and higher education. Internationally, Professor Woodrow has lived and worked in London, England, and has visited more than 100 countries around the world. Professor Woodrow and his wife, Melissa, live in the historic district of Long Beach. 

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch my Vanguard students grow and learn more about their God-given gifts and talents in preparation to become Christ-centered professionals, managers, and leaders.” 

Professor Fisher brings a love of creative strategy, marketing and data analytics to her work and teaching. She earned both an undergrad and master’s degree in mathematics (UMass), an MBA in strategy and marketing (Kellogg/Northwestern), and certifications in Digital Media (Regent Univ), Online Teaching (UCSD), and Design Thinking (IDEO).

As a Procter & Gamble-trained marketer and management consultant, she has developed and executed growth strategies for Fortune 500 companies, colleges, and non-profits. Among her corporate awards are the P&G Division Award for “effective teamwork, willingness to change obstructive systems, ability to resolve business issues and generate enthusiasm”, and the Outstanding Training and Development and Outstanding Leadership awards. 

Her passion for applying creative, data-driven scenario-based approaches to teaching supports her goal to equip students as exceptional Christ-centered business professionals.  

"It’s a joy to share in the transformational journey students take in building their creative confidence, honing their critical analysis skills, and discovering their data story-telling competency. Their “aha” moments are inspiring!"   

Professor Bjorn Jonsson is the Principal and Founder of Smoothstone Advisory and Assistant  Professor of Business and Management at Vanguard University. He holds a Bachelor  of Arts in Business Administration from Vanguard University and a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University.

His interests are focused on Marketing, International Business and Economics. Bjorn’s professional experience includes holding senior executive level positions at Oakley, Boost Mobile, World Industries, Spyder, and Arena Industries. He has experience in developing and executing growth strategies in the Action Sports, Optical and Consumer Electronics industries as well as non-profits. He provides advisory capacity to his clients in both public and privately held companies in industries ranging from medical to military and optical products.

As a graduate of Vanguard, Professor Jonsson has a passion for the university and enjoys teaching and mentoring students to recognize their strengths and leadership capacities.