Senior Learning Officer
Novien Yarber, Ph.D., known to many as “Dr. Novi,” brings a unique blend of leadership education and creative artistry to his work in San Diego. Although he started his journey with a B.S. in Accounting from The University of Alabama in 2015, his path soon shifted toward his true passion –driving social change and making a lasting impact.
After moving to southern California, Novien pursued a Master’s in Higher Education and a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego’s School of Leadership and Education Science. During his time there, his research focused on student engagement, equity, leadership development, and philanthropy, with an emphasis on how leadership and social impact intersect.
Before joining Prebys, Novien served as Director of Leadership, Philanthropy, and Social Impact at the University of San Diego’s Nonprofit Institute. There, he led community-focused programs such as Horizon Leadership, The Black InGenius Initiative, and Embodied Leadership for Liberative Artistry.
Outside of work, Novien is deeply involved in the community, volunteering with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, the San Diego Foster Youth Mentoring Program, and local performing arts nonprofits. Alongside his professional accomplishments, he also maintains a parallel career as a professional artist and performer, balancing his passion for both leadership and the arts.