Speaker & Moderator Biographies

Sarah Abernathy
Executive Director, Committee for Education Funding (CEF)

Sarah Abernathy is the Executive Director of the Committee for Education Funding (CEF), a non-profit and non-partisan coalition of more than 110 education associations and institutions, where she has worked since 2016. Prior to that, she had close to 30 years of federal government experience working on education and budget issues in both Congress and in the Administration. 

Before joining CEF, Sarah worked for 18 years on the House Budget Committee Democratic staff focusing on budget issues relating to education, social services, and job training as well as environmental issues. Earlier in her career she spent 6 years as a legislative assistant for several House members, and 4 years at the U.S. Department of Education focusing on rehabilitation services and adult and vocational education issues. During that time, she was detailed to the Office of Management and Budget’s education branch and to the Health and Human Services’ regional office in San Francisco. 

Sarah graduated from Williams College and earned a Master’s in Public Affairs from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.

Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33)
Chair, House Democratic Caucus

Pete Aguilar represents the 33rd Congressional District of California. He was most recently re-elected in 2024. In the 119th Congress, Rep. Aguilar holds the leadership position of Chair of the House Democratic Caucus.

Raising his family in the community his family has called home for four generations, Representative Aguilar understands the challenges that Inland Empire families face today. He started his first job at the age of twelve, working with his grandfather at the San Bernardino County Courthouse cafeteria. He then put himself through college with the assistance of student loans and federal grants, and later established a life in public service to give back to his community.

Representative Aguilar is a voice for middle-class families throughout San Bernardino County and prioritizes legislation that will nurture a more fair economy, where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. He is committed to policies that create jobs, support our students, reform our broken immigration system, and safeguard vital programs for seniors and veterans.

Representative Aguilar, who graduated from the University of Redlands, previously served as the Mayor of Redlands, where he earned a reputation for his bipartisanship and steadfast commitment to making his community a better place to live, work, and raise a family. He resides in Redlands with his wife Alisha and their two sons.

Megan Arleth
Associate Vice President, Federal Relations, Stanford University (CA)

Megan Arleth supports Stanford’s federal government affairs efforts and plays a leading role in developing and advancing the university’s policy priorities with Congress and the Executive Branch agencies. She also assists with the day-to-day management and coordination of the university’s activities and relationships with federal policymakers. She is based in Washington, DC.

Prior to joining Stanford, Arleth was the Director of Public Issues for the Consortium on Financing Higher Education, where she monitored federal policy activity on a wide range of issues that impact private colleges and universities. She also previously worked in the federal relations offices at Rutgers and Harvard.

Arleth holds a BA degree in Political Science and Journalism from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and a Masters degree in Higher Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Christon Arthur

President, La Sierra University (CA)

Dr. Christon Arthur began his tenure as president of La Sierra University on July 1, 2024. He is La Sierra’s sixth president since the institution became a university in 1990 and is its 20^th leader since the school was founded in 1922.

Since his arrival at La Sierra University, Dr. Arthur has led campus initiatives to foster transparency, inclusivity and community, implemented strategic marketing and enrollment investments and the development of core values and purpose toward re-shaping campus culture.

Dr. Arthur arrived from Andrews University in Michigan where he served as provost for eight years. In this position he oversaw an approximate $70 million academic budget and a total enrollment of about 10,000 students.

Prior to serving as provost, Dr. Arthur served as dean of the School of Graduate Studies & Research at Andrews. Before that, he held administrative posts for four years at Tennessee State University where he also taught as an associate professor in educational administration.

Dr. Arthur holds multiple graduate degrees including an Ed.S. and a doctoral degree respectively in curriculum and instruction and in educational administration from Andrews University. He completed post-graduate studies at Harvard University’s Institute for Management and Leadership in Education and in 2023 earned a graduate certificate and an MBA in finance from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He also holds a B.A. in theology from the University of the Southern Caribbean in Trinidad and Tobago.

Dr. Arthur and his wife, Carmelita have one adult son, Christon Arthur, Jr. Dr. Arthur is a native of Grenada where he was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist faith at the age of 22, a decision that set in motion a trajectory that led to his present position. He serves as the first Black president in La Sierra University’s 103-year history and is shaping a campus ethos rooted in inclusivity, a safe space where all are welcome.

Cyrus Artz
Senior Policy Advisor, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson

Cyrus Artz currently serves as a Senior Policy Advisor to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson. In that role, he advises the Speaker on financial services, AI, semiconductors, space, science, education, and labor issues. Prior to joining the Speaker’s staff, Cyrus was the Staff Director for the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee. He had previously served as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to Rep. Foxx, as well as Parliamentarian for the committee. He began his work on Capitol Hill as Professional Policy Staff for the Republican Study Committee (RSC). He also served seven years with the D.C. Army National Guard and completed a deployment to Afghanistan in 2012. Originally from Fargo, ND, he graduated from Christendom College in Front Royal, VA with a political science degree. 

Amanda Beaumont
Professional Staff Member, Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate

Jessica Blake
Federal Policy Reporter, Inside Higher Ed

Jessica Blake is the federal policy reporter for Inside Higher Ed. She spends her days tracking any government actions related to postsecondary education and explaining what they mean for students, faculty, administrators and state officials.

Prior, Blake gained experience covering a mix of politics, policy and education at Politico Europe, Chalkbeat and the Columbia Missourian. She earned her Bachelor of Journalism degree at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

John Booth
CMO, Volt AI 

John Booth is a marketing and growth executive, two-time founder, and experienced team builder with 18+ years helping companies scale from early traction to durable growth. As CMO at VOLT AI, he’s known for turning strategy into execution—building high-performing, cross-functional teams, sharpening go-to-market plans, and scaling revenue through product-led, partner, and community-driven motions. John has led organizations ranging from two-person startups to teams of 175, with a leadership style grounded in collaboration, accountability, and culture-building. Outside of work, he’s a certified BBQ judge and happiest on the water with a fishing rod in hand.

C. Tapscott "Scott" Buchanan
President, St. Thomas University (FL)

Scott Buchanan is the Executive Director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance (SLSA), a non-profit trade association that represents nearly all student loan servicers in the country and their service partners for both federal and private student loans. In this role he has testified in front of Congress and many state legislatures on higher education financing policy. He has also been quoted by or appeared on CNN, CBS, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Politico, NPR, and many others as an expert on student loan topics.

Previously, Scott was Senior Vice President of Business Development and Government Affairs for CBE Companies, a global provider of outsourced contact center services. Scott also has continued to serve as a Principal Consultant at Merak Associates LLC, where he advises and counsels clients including financial services and investment firms, institutions of higher education, and BPO companies on legislative, regulatory, and business development strategy. Before his consulting work, Scott served as Vice President of Business Development, Sales, and Marketing at Navient. In that role he ran corporate marketing and research, oversaw brand strategy, directed business development and the sales organizations, while advising the company on corporate strategy. Prior to Navient, he served as Vice President of Government Affairs and Services with Sallie Mae. In that role he worked with Members of Congress, government agencies, and other policymakers to inform discussion on higher education, financial services, and tax policy. He oversaw the state affairs interests of the company and had responsibility for GR and political compliance processes.

Scott holds a Bachelors in Political Science from Davidson College and a Masters in Public Policy from George Mason University.

Dawn Buth
Managing Director of Government Relations, National Collegiate Athletic Association

Dawn Buth serves as the managing director of the NCAA Office of Government Relations. In this role, she oversees all state and federal education and advocacy efforts on behalf of the Association’s nearly 1,100 member schools. Dawn was named as one of Washingtonian magazine’s “Most Influential People” in 2022 and 2023 as well as The Hill’s “Top Lobbyists” in 2023 and 2024. Dawn also served as a U.S. Health and Human Services National Women’s Health Week Ambassador in 2023. Prior to her arrival in Washington, D.C., Dawn worked for the NCAA Sport Science Institute leading their strategic engagement and communication efforts.

Prior to the SSI, Dawn developed and oversaw leadership development programming for senior administrators, student-athletes, and coaches with the NCAA Leadership Development office from 2013-15. Before joining the NCAA, Dawn worked and interned with the U.S. Agency for International Development, World Bank, Game Set Ghana, The George Washington University, and Oxley Consulting.

Dawn earned her master’s from The George Washington University Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida while participating as a women’s tennis student-athlete. She is a four-time NCAA Division I champion, four-time SEC champion, seven-time Athletic All-American and an Academic All-American. In 2011, she was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame. Dawn also competed as a professional athlete and in her short 3-year career, she was ranked among the Women’s Tennis Association’s top 100 players in the world

Rebecca Carballo
Higher Education Reporter, POLITICO

Rebecca Carballo is a higher education reporter at POLITICO, with a focus on student aid and college affordability.

She has reported on staffing reductions at the Department of Education — particularly within the Federal Student Aid office — and their impact on the agency's operations. She also continues to track the administration’s plans for the student debt portfolio, and monitors the implementation of Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, following a rocky launch. Other coverage areas include the college accreditation system, for-profit colleges and international student enrollment.

Before joining POLITICO’s education team in 2024, Rebecca completed a yearlong breaking news fellowship at The New York Times. She previously spent three years at the Houston Chronicle, where she covered education, economics, and health care.

She is a graduate of Marquette University, where she studied journalism and political science.

Solomon Chen
Professional Staff Member, House Committee on Education & Workforce

Solomon Chen is a Professional Staff Member for the House Committee on Education & Workforce under Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI). He covers the Higher Education Act (HEA), particularly focusing on college costs, free speech, and foreign influence. Before joining Congress, Solomon worked at the Cato Institute’s Center for Educational Freedom and at the Philanthropy Roundtable’s civic education program. His writing has been featured on The Hill, Washington Examiner, and RealClearEducation. Solomon is a former Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) Fellow and former Falls Church Anglican Fellow. In his free time, Solomon enjoys cheering on California Bay Area sports teams, trying unique foods, and attending movie prescreenings. Solomon holds a degree in political science from Biola University and was a member of Biola’s Torrey Honors Institute.

Joseph Chillo, LP.D.
President, Thomas Moore University, KY

Julianna “Jules” Collado
Education Legislative Aide, Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, U.S. Senate

Jules is an Education Legislative Aide who covers higher education issues, such as accreditation, accountability, artificial intelligence and education technology, student data and transparency, and international education. Jules also works on Workforce Pell, WIOA, and related workforce issues. Jules has been on the committee since 2023; prior to that, she worked in the Texas State House of Representatives. Jules is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio and is passionate about closing gaps in education access and success. Jules received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Public Policy from the Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. She also has a Master’s degree in Education Policy and Planning from the University of Texas.

Nathan Cook
Senior Director of Government Relations, Rice University

Nathan joined Rice in 2017 and serves as senior director of government relations, leading Rice's policy efforts and working alongside academic and administrative divisions to identify, prioritize and achieve Rice's strategic goals across government. As part of the Public Affairs team, he collaborates with colleagues to raise the university’s profile by linking Rice faculty researchers and experts with policymakers, government agencies and their staff.

Before joining Rice, Nathan served McKesson Specialty Health – The US Oncology Network as senior manager of government and community relations, traveling the country to advocate for community oncology providers and their patients. Prior to that he served as district director for U.S. Rep. Pete Olson and deputy regional director for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1997 to 2005, including a deployment to Balad, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004-2005).

Cook received a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from Texas A&M University.

Gail daMota
President, Education Finance Council

Gail daMota is the President of Education Finance Council (EFC), the national trade association representing nonprofit and state-based higher education finance organizations. EFC members strive to increase postsecondary education access, affordability, and success for millions of students and their families by offering the resources needed to successfully plan, save, and pay for college. In her role as president, daMota leads EFC’s advocacy efforts on legislative and regulatory issues related to higher education finance, to promote EFC’s goals and initiatives, and to identify and develop opportunities for EFC and its members.

daMota came to EFC in 2001 with more than a decade of experience in higher education, strategic planning, and personnel management and development. daMota has been a key member of EFC’s leadership team through its development into a highly respected organization.

Prior to joining EFC, daMota was the Director of Federal Relations for the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation (CSLF). Prior to CSLF, she was the Vice President of Operations for a financial aid third-party servicer and financial aid software firm. Ms. daMota began her career in higher education as a financial aid director.

Philip Dearborn
President, Association for Biblical Higher Education

Jeff Doggett
President, Wagner College (NY)

Jeffrey A. Doggett is Wagner College’s 21st president. He began his tenure in July 2024. With an eye on positioning the College for another 150 years of success, his priorities include the re-envisioning of Wagner’s academic program and financial structures and an intense focus on student success. In the first year of his presidency, he was named one of the 2025 Trailblazers in Higher Education and one of the 2024 Staten Island Power 100 by City & State New York.

Dr. Doggett joined Wagner from Merrimack College in Massachusetts, where he served most recently as executive vice president, chief financial officer and chancellor of learning and student success. During his 14 years at Merrimack, the college’s undergraduate population more than doubled to nearly 4,000 students while high school GPA rose, and graduate programs grew even more steadily. Prior to Merrimack he served as vice president for government and community relations at Northeastern University.

A member of the Staten Island Economic Development Council, Dr. Doggett has made work in the community a central focus of his career. From serving on political campaigns at the local, state and national level, to developing large-scale economic development ideas, to his doctoral dissertation on redefining anchor institutions to include those schools that are small and non-urban, his approach to the community as an interdependent ecosystem is central to how he thinks and works.

In addition to leading on campus, Dr. Doggett has actively engaged in regional and national conversations about the future of higher education, including federal student loan programs, the role institutions can play in economic development, innovation in higher education, and the importance of protections for student-athletes.

Dr. Doggett earned his doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and his B.S., M.P.A., and M.B.A. from Northeastern University.

A native of Salem, Massachusetts, Dr. Doggett split his undergraduate years at Northeastern between rowing crew, participating in the cooperative education program, working on a variety of political campaigns and interning in the White House.

He and his wife, Kristen, have two children, Lincoln and Margot.

Jody Feder, J.D.
Director of Accountability and Regulatory Affairs, NAICU

Jody Feder represents NAICU on issues including: accreditation, state authorization, Title IX, and educational privacy with Congress and the Administration. She joined the NAICU staff in March 2017 after more than 14 years as a legislative attorney with the Congressional Research Service. At CRS, she provided nonpartisan advice and analysis to Members of Congress on civil rights and education law. Prior to attending law school, she wrote about federal education issues as an editor for Thompson Publishing Group. Feder earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Brown University (RI) and a law degree from Yale University (CT).

Chris Gaston
Principal, Director of Government Relations, Davis & Harman LLP

Chris Gaston is Principal, Director of Government Relations of Davis & Harman LLP. Chris has more than a dozen years of Capitol Hill experience and he represents clients on a wide range of issues before Congress, particularly retirement and savings policy.

Prior to joining Davis & Harman LLP in 2015, Chris served as Chief of Staff for U.S. Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ) who was a senior member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

After growing up in Central New Jersey, Chris initially started with Rep. Holt as an intern and over the next twelve years, worked for Rep. Holt in a number of congressional and political positions. For more than five years Chris served as Rep. Holt’s Legislative Director where he helped establish an ambitious legislative agenda and advised him on a diverse range of legislative issues. In that capacity, Chris was responsible for all of Rep. Holt’s work on the Education and Workforce Committee, including his legislative initiatives to promote retirement savings. 

Chris graduated with a B.A. in Political Science with a Public Policy Focus from The George Washington University and received a M.A. in International Law and Politics from Georgetown University.

Tamara Gieselman
Director, Education, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM)

Gieselman joined GBHEM in 2018 and has served higher education partners since then by providing leadership for the University Senate as the Executive Secretary, Study Abroad initiatives, and the North American Association of Methodist Schools Colleges and Universities (NAAMSCU). She has directed GBHEM’s work in recognizing exemplary teaching amongst faculty and developed several successfully funded grants through named endowments and fellowships such as the Lilly Endowment, the Forum for Theological Exploration, the Council of Bishops’ Grant for Ecumenical and Interreligious Concerns, and Interfaith Youth Core, Inc.

Prior to GBHEM, Gieselman spent ten years in higher education as University Chaplain, Associate Clinical Professor, and Director of Religious Life at the University of Evansville. Before retiring from UE, Dr. Tom Kazee, president of the university and Tammy’s direct supervisor noted, “As I near my retirement, it seems appropriate to underscore the positive evolution in UE's identity and culture that can be attributed to Tammy's leadership. Most importantly (and prominently), UE is now a more religiously diverse institution with respect to our publicly stated values and activities…the impact of Tammy's work should not be underestimated. UE is better for what she has done here -- and continues to do -- and I have been honored to work with her.” Gieselman’s teaching experience in higher education, which includes both domestic and study abroad courses, includes Christian Worship and Liturgy, John Wesley and the People Called Methodists, Sacred Architecture, Living World Religions, Interfaith Leadership, and Religion in the Public Square. She has led continuing education study tours in Israel, England, and Spain, collaborated with religious partners across the globe, and in 2018 was invited to participate in the United Nations Together Campaign in New York City. She also served as the Director for a Lilly Endowment funded summer youth theology institute, Open Table, at the University of Evansville, after successfully writing a $545,107 grant proposal.

Gieselman served in the local church for seventeen years before moving into higher education. She is an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church in the Indiana Conference. She earned a Doctor of Ministry in preaching from Chicago Theological Seminary in Chicago. Her research focused on prophetic preaching and biblical authority, which fashioned her doctoral thesis entitled With Compassion and Gospel for All: Toward a Homiletical Hermeneutic of Inclusion. She earned a Master of Divinity with honors from Vanderbilt Divinity School and a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from the University of Evansville. Her interests focus on higher education, interfaith leadership, preaching, worship, and practical theology.

She has served as preaching coach and mentor for the Academy of Preachers and in 2015 co-edited, with her husband, Rev. Mitchell Gieselman, Pentecost on Mockingbird Lane, Volume 6 in the Academy of Preachers’ series published by Chalice Press. She has preached in notable pulpits in the United States and in England. In 2016, the Rev. Dr. the Lord Leslie Griffiths, Superintendent Minister at Wesley’s Chapel in London, England and member of the House of Lords, invited Gieselman to preach in John Wesley’s historic pulpit. Gieselman preached, Prophetic Eyes, at the City Road chapel on June 5, 2016.

In addition to providing leadership for technical and curricular aspects of GBHEM’s work, Gieselman has demonstrated an innovative approach to identifying and addressing the needs of United Methodist-related institutions and the students and communities they serve. It is this combination of higher education experience, commitment to strengthening the relationship between church and academy, and innovative and bold thinking from which Gieselman continues to execute her work at GBHEM.

Ellen Granberg
President, The George Washington University (DC)

Ellen M. Granberg is the 19th President of the George Washington University, a preeminent research university and the largest institution of higher education in the nation’s capital.

President Granberg is an accomplished academic leader who has a record of strengthening teaching and research excellence across disciplines, supporting a diverse and inclusive community of students, faculty, and staff, and collaborating with all stakeholders to drive transformative change and increase institutional prominence. She became the first woman to serve as GW’s President on July 1, 2023.

Previously, President Granberg served as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and was a professor and senior leader at Clemson University.

As RIT’s chief academic officer, President Granberg oversaw nine colleges, two degree-granting units, and international campuses in Croatia, Dubai, Kosovo, and China. In this role, she oversaw key initiatives, including increasing undergraduate student success, expanding doctoral education, improving facilities for instruction and research, and leveraging RIT’s strengths in innovation, creativity, and cross-disciplinary collaboration to advance the university's academic mission. 

At Clemson, Granberg was the Senior Associate Provost and Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs. She chaired the development and implementation of the institution’s strategic plan, which spurred growth in research, graduate studies, and inclusive excellence. In addition, Dr. Granberg developed a university-wide strategy for faculty recruitment, retention, compensation, and development.

A nationally recognized scholar in the sociology of self, identity, and mental health, President Granberg began her career in academia as a Professor of Sociology.

Prior to pursuing graduate studies, she spent eleven years in the telecommunications industry, leading large integrated software development teams that replaced aging billing and customer service systems.

President Granberg holds a B.A. in history from the University of California at Davis and an M.A. and Ph.D. in sociology from Vanderbilt University.

Alexa Alice Joubin
Director, Digital Humanities Institute, The George Washington University (DC)

Alexa Alice Joubin is a leading voice on AI, social justice, and higher education. She directs the Digital Humanities Institute and is Professor of English, Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Theatre, International Affairs, and East Asian Languages and Literatures at George Washington University. She is a faculty of the Trustworthy AI Initiative and an affiliate at the NSF's Institute for Trustworthy AI in Law & Society. In 2024, she was named the inaugural Public Interest Technology Scholar.

The Honorable Nicholas Kent
Under Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education 

Nicholas Kent was sworn in as the 15th Under Secretary of Education on August 4, 2025, following his nomination by President Donald J. Trump and confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

As a first-generation college student and a respected education policy expert with more than two decades of experience, Kent serves as the nation’s top federal official for higher education. As Under Secretary, Kent oversees the Department’s postsecondary education, career, technical, and adult education, and federal student aid programs. This includes managing the $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio and the over $30 billion Pell Grant program.

Kent is responsible for implementing President Trump’s mission to restore the greatness of American higher education and ensure that our taxpayer-supported colleges, universities, vocational schools, and other postsecondary programs are genuinely helping high school graduates and working adults launch and grow their careers. Kent spearheads the implementation of President Trump's landmark legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which will lower the cost of higher education, simplify student loan repayment, expand workforce trainings options, and hold institutions accountable for degrees that do not provide a return on investment.

Before joining the U.S. Department of Education, Kent served as Deputy Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia under Governor Glenn Youngkin. In that role, he led efforts to reduce the cost of higher education, expand access to career and technical education, and increase institutional transparency and accountability.

Kent previously served as Chief Policy Officer at Career Education Colleges and Universities, where he advocated for federal policies that support career-focused education and promote choice and innovation in higher education. He was also the founding President of the CECU Research Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing data-driven solutions to support student success.

He has also served in executive roles at a private-sector education company, where he led regulatory and accreditation operations for a national system of postsecondary institutions. Kent also has experience in K-12 education, having served as Director of Policy, Planning, and Research at the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education. He began his career in education policy as a professional staff member at an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Kent holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he attended on a Pell Grant. He also holds a master’s degree in higher education administration from The George Washington University. He and his partner reside in Virginia.

Martin Kimmel
President, Kimmel Architecture

Martin is President of Kimmel Architecture and brings more than 30 years of experience in Architectural Design, Campus Planning, Historic Preservation, and Project Management. He is involved on every project the firm undertakes, including more than 100 higher education projects across a wide variety of campuses. His work has given him deep insight into the needs, culture, and operational realities of colleges and universities. Martin is skilled at collaborating with Presidents, Provosts, Facilities Leaders, Faculty, and Students to translate their unique academic missions and programs into a clear design direction. His ability to distill complex priorities into a strong, guiding concept has helped institutions create spaces that elevate teaching, learning, and the student experience. Known for his direct and attentive approach, Martin ensures that each project receives consistent leadership from concept through completion, resulting in lasting partnerships with the firm’s higher education clients.

John Kroger
President & CEO, Rodel Institute

John R. Kroger is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Rodel Institute, one of the nation’s premier leadership development organizations for political leaders, judges, and public servants.

John has had a distinguished career in higher education and public service, including prior work as a United States Marine, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Attorney General of Oregon, President of Reed College, Vice President of the Aspen Institute, and Chief Learning Officer of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. He has taught throughout his career, with appointments as Visiting Professor at Harvard Law School, Hauser Leader in Residence at Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Visiting Lecturer in Political Science at Yale University, and Visiting Professor at Lewis and Clark Law School. John was a tenured professor at Lewis and Clark Law School from 2002 to 2012, during which time he took leaves of absence to serve as Attorney General of Oregon and Trial Attorney on the U.S. Department of Justice Enron Task Force. Earlier in his career, John served as a legislative aide to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Thomas Foley and Representative, now Senator, Charles Schumer.

John’s awards include the Harry S. Truman Scholarship; National Endowment of the Humanities Younger Scholar award; Harvard Law School Traphagen Distinguished Alumni award; Aspen Institute Rodel Fellowship; Mark DeWolfe Howe Fellowship in Anglo-American Legal History at Harvard Law School; Harvard University’s Certificate of Distinction in Teaching; Lewis and Clark’s Law School’s Levenson Award for Teaching Excellence (three-time award winner); the U.S. Department of Justice Director’s Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney; ESGR’s Seven Seals Award for protecting veterans; and commendations from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. State Department. John is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a former Fellow at Harvard’s Safra Center for Ethics.

John received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Yale University, graduating magna cum laude with Distinction in Philosophy. He received his J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School and clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. John writes frequently on issues in law, education, and national security. His blog, “Leadership in Higher Education,” is featured on Inside Higher Ed. His book, Convictions, about his work as a federal prosecutor was published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux and won the Oregon Book Award in 2008.

Aaron Lacey
Partner, Thompson Coburn

The Co-Chair of Thompson Coburn’s Higher Education Practice, Aaron has over two decades of experience assisting institutions to navigate complex legal, policy, and governance matters. He and his colleagues are valued for their deep understanding of the postsecondary regulatory framework, including requirements relating to the federal financial aid programs, accreditation, and state authorization. Aaron also provides specialized strategic and regulatory counsel to institutions, investors, and lenders involved in a wide range of higher education mergers and acquisitions. In 2025-26, Aaron served as a primary negotiator on the Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) rulemaking committee. Appointed by the U.S. Department of Education to represent private, non profit institutions nationwide, Aaron was one of 12 negotiators charged with revising the Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment accountability framework, integrating the new Do No Harm accountability framework created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3), and implementing the new Workforce Pell Grant program, also created by OB3. Aaron also served as a negotiator in 2017-18, as part of the rulemaking committee charged with revising the “borrower defense” and financial responsibility regulations. In that rulemaking, the Department appointed Aaron to negotiated on behalf of general counsels, attorneys, and compliance officers at postsecondary institutions across the United States. The host of Thompson Coburn’s popular Higher Education Webinar Series, and the founder of REGucation, the firm’s higher education law and policy blog, Aaron is a frequent writer and speaker on topics relating to higher education policy and regulation. He currently resides in Saint Louis, Missouri, with his wife and three kids, the world’s greatest dog, a second dog, and three rowdy chickens.

Aaron Mahl
Senior Vice President, PeopleGrove

Dr. Aaron Mahl joined PeopleGrove in 2025 as Senior Vice President. Prior to joining PeopleGrove, Aaron spent over 20 years in higher education with the first 10 years of his career on campus in leadership positions. He transitioned out of the academy when he began his consulting career in 2013 helping higher education institutions strategically leverage institutional aid to optimize net revenue at Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL). Aaron was influential in helping RNL launch a new Graduate & Online division and was instrumental in leading 5x growth in revenue. His understanding of organizational dynamics and stakeholder perspectives allows him to navigate complex negotiations and craft win-win deal structures 

Aaron is a lifelong learner and is passionate about education, earning both a Masters, and a PhD.

Chris Maneval
Vice President at Porterfield, Fettig & Sears LLC

Chris Maneval is a Vice President at Porterfield, Fettig & Sears LLC (PFS). Chris has over a decade of experience navigating the legislative, leadership, and political landscape on Capitol Hill and across the federal government.

Prior to joining the firm, Chris was Deputy Chief of Staff to House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, the third ranking member of House Republican Leadership. He served as a senior advisor to the Whip in one of the smallest majorities in history. During his time with the Whip, Chris helped build a team of talented professionals and built relationships with Members from every corner of the Republican Conference to secure passage of historic legislation like the bipartisan Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act, the Limit, Save, Grow Act and several appropriations bills.

Chris also served as Chief of Staff during Emmer’s two terms as Chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, the campaign arm for House Republicans. In this capacity Chris gained experience with congressional campaign strategy and built extensive relationships with the corporate PAC community. He also fostered a policy agenda that made Emmer a leader in the blockchain and digital asset community and in the mental health space. Prior to becoming Chief of Staff, Chris served as Legislative Director for Representative Emmer, managing the Congressman’s Financial Services Committee and tax portfolios. In this position, he secured key legislative provisions in S. 2155, the 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, and an array of policy areas including transportation, appropriations, energy, health care, and foreign affairs.

Chris began his time on Capitol Hill as an intern in the office of Congressman J. Randy Forbes – the Chair of the Seapower Subcommittee on the House Armed Services Committee – working his way up to Senior Legislative Assistant.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from West Virginia University. He resides with his wife and two children in Arlington, Virginia.

Robert L. Manuel, Ph.D.
President, DePaul University (IL), and 2025-26 Chair of the NAICU Board of Directors

Rob Manuel became president at DePaul University on August 1, 2022. Since joining the university, he has engaged faculty, staff, students, and alumni in developing and implementing Designing DePaul - the framework to becoming a national model for quality higher education. Current initiatives include advancing interdisciplinary research to address the most pressing challenges facing society and launching new retention strategies to eliminate the achievement gap for all students. 

Prior to DePaul, he served as president at the University of Indianapolis for 10 years. Manuel also served as dean and associate provost at Georgetown University (DC) and has held several senior-level administrative positions at New York University. 

He earned a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Allegheny College (PA), a master's degree in higher education administration from Syracuse University (NY), and a doctorate in higher education administration from New York University.

Manuel is a member of the Cristo Rey Network Board of Directors, EAB President’s Advisory Board and the Institute of International Education. He also serves as the vice chair of the NAICU Board of Directors. 

Amy Gromer McDonough

Chief of Staff, University of St. Thomas (MN)

Amy Gromer McDonough serves as Chief of Staff, Office of the President at the University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul, MN, a role she has held since July 2018. In this capacity, she is a strategic adviser to the president, a liaison for the board of trustees and manages federal, state and local government relations for the university. McDonough plays a central role in strategic planning for the university, helping to shape multi-year initiatives and align institutional goals across the university.

Before joining St. Thomas, McDonough served as Director of Government Relations for the Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC), where she represented 17 private colleges at the State Capitol and in Washington, D.C., advocating on legislative and regulatory priorities.

McDonough’s leadership, policy, and communications experience spans more than 25 years in the public and private sectors, working on behalf of elected offices, nonprofits, and higher education.

Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts in French and International Studies from the University of St. Thomas and was a Hubert H. Humphrey Policy Fellow at the University of Minnesota.

Renee McPhatter
Associate Vice President for Government and Community Relations, The George Washington University (DC)

As the Associate Vice President for Government and Community Relations, Renee McPhatter manages the strategic direction of the federal, state and local governmental activities of the university, as well as its community and business relations. Before taking this position in August 2011, Renee served as general counsel for the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services. She previously served as deputy director of policy and legislative affairs for former D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and director of the D.C. Smoke Free Campaign for the American Cancer Society. Earlier in her career, Renee worked for D.C. Councilmember Kathy Patterson and former U.S. Rep. Sam Coppersmith (D-Ariz.). Renee earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her law degree from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. She resides in the District with her son.

Sarah Myksin
Associate Vice President, Customer Service, PeopleGrove

Sarah Myksin joined PeopleGrove in early 2025 as the Associate Vice President, Customer Success, and is focused on providing strategic consultation and critical insights to help your program innovate and succeed. She is responsible for providing guidance for overall program strategy and delivery and is dedicated to listening to and interpreting your goals into successful constituent engagement.

Myksin has over twenty years of higher education experience, both on campus and as a consultant. She most recently served as senior vice president of fundraising at RNL, and her most recent campus role was the director of annual giving at DePaul University (IL), where she integrated new digital technology, expanded giving day efforts, and launched alumni and student fundraising initiatives. She’s also held roles at American University (DC), Point Park University (PA), Georgetown University (DC) and Wesleyan University (CT). Myksin earned a bachelor’s degree in American studies from Wesleyan University.

Krista Newkirk
President, University of Redlands (CA)

Amy Novak
President, St. Ambrose University (IA)

Dr. Amy Novak is a nationally recognized leader in Catholic higher education, known for guiding institutions through periods of transformation with clarity of mission, financial discipline, and a deep commitment to human dignity and the common good.

She currently serves as President and CEO of St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, and as the parent-company leader overseeing Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa following a strategic combination completed in 2025. In this role, Dr. Novak is leading the integration of governance, academic programs, and operations while honoring the distinctive charisms, histories, and community identities of both institutions.

Dr. Novak’s leadership is marked by a strong focus on mission-centered stewardship, shared governance, and long-term institutional vitality. She has been deeply engaged in strategic planning, accreditation, financial sustainability, and philanthropic growth, while also advancing innovative academic models that respond to workforce needs and evolving student experience. Her work emphasizes collaboration across campuses, partnerships with dioceses and community organizations, and the preservation of Catholic sister-sponsored higher education through creative alliances and networks.

Dr. Novak is also leading thoughtful and values-driven integration of technology and artificial intelligence into teaching, learning, and institutional operations. She approaches AI not simply as a technical tool, but as a pedagogical and ethical opportunity that must be guided by Catholic intellectual tradition, academic integrity, and a commitment to human flourishing.

A thoughtful and reflective communicator, Dr. Novak often weaves together theology, history, and lived experience, drawing inspiration from Catholic intellectual tradition and the founding charisms of religious communities. She is particularly committed to fostering intentionally faithful campus cultures and ensuring that Catholic universities remain places where faith, reason, and service intersect in meaningful ways.

Dr. Novak holds a doctorate in interdisciplinary leadership from Creighton University, a MS in Economics from Wright State University, and a BA in History from the University of Notre Dame. She brings decades of experience in higher education leadership. She is widely respected for her ability to lead through complexity with both courage and care, balancing rootedness in tradition with a restless drive to innovate for the future of Catholic higher education. Dr. Novak and her husband Dr. Ken Novak are the parents of eight children.

Jonathan Pidluzny
Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy and Implementation, U.S. Department of Education 

Jonathan Pidluzny joined the Administration on Day One as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Programs and shifted into his currently role last summer. He most recently served as Director of the Higher Education Reform Initiative at the America First Policy Institute. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Academic Affairs at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, where his work focused on academic freedom and general education. Jonathan began his career in higher education teaching political science at Morehead State University, where he was an associate professor, program coordinator, and faculty regent from 2017-2019. He received his Ph.D from Boston College and holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Alberta. 

Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz
President, University of Evansville

Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz, known as "Prez P" on campus, became the 24th President of the University of Evansville on July 1, 2018, and is committed to the mission of the University: to empower each student to think critically, act bravely, serve responsibly, and live meaningfully in a changing world.

Prez P recognizes that college is much more than a degree – college prepares students for an ever-changing world by bringing academics to life through real world internships, expanded hands-on learning experiences inside and outside the classroom, and offering Change Lab courses to encourage students to follow their passion. His advocacy for creating connectivity between the University and community actively fosters education and enhances quality of life in southwest Indiana and beyond. Under his leadership, UE was awarded a historic $30 million Promise Neighborhood grant from the United States Department of Education, with a total investment of $62 million including matching funds. Prez P also helped the institution achieve the second- and third- highest fundraising years in the history of the University dating to 1854, providing support for an innovative and forward-focused future.

A tax attorney, President Pietruszkiewicz was a trial lawyer in the Tax Division of the United States Department of Justice in Washington, DC, and was an attorney and advisor for the United States Department of Education. In 2000, he entered academia as an adjunct professor at George Mason University School of Law and in 2001, joined the law faculty at the Louisiana State University Law Center in Baton Rouge, where he later served as Vice Chancellor for business and financial affairs at LSU. Beginning in 2012, President Pietruszkiewicz served for six years as Dean of the Stetson University College of Law in Tampa Bay, Florida.

President Pietruszkiewicz is the Vice Chair of the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, Chair of the Executive Committee, and a member of the Finance Committee. PrezP also served as Vice Chair of the NCAA’s Decision-Making Working Group that recommended redesigning the governance structure for Division I, developing a new, streamlined post-House settlement framework, and amplifying the voices of student-athletes. Prez P and his wife, Siobhan, are NCAA (retired) and high school (current) basketball officials and are strong advocates and volunteers for the Special Olympics. 

In Evansville, he serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership. He is a member of the Welborn Baptist Foundation Board of Directors, and the Rotary Club of Evansville. 

PrezP is the past Chair of Board of Directors of Independent Colleges of Indiana, the collective voice for excellence and choice in higher education for all students that represent Indiana’s 29 private, non-profit, regionally accredited colleges, and universities. He is an active member of the Council of Independent Colleges, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the National Association of Schools and Colleges of the United Methodist Church. He previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Law School Admission Council and held various leadership positions in the American Bar Association, Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. Among the founding university presidents of CUSP, the College and University Sustainability Project, President Pietruszkiewicz helped to create a consortium of like-minded institutions to achieve cost-efficiency by providing a platform of high-value services that are not otherwise accessible to individual institutions.

Steven G. Poskanzer
President Emeritus, Carleton College (MN)

Poskanzer became Carleton’s 11th president in August, 2010. A scholar of higher education law, Poskanzer’s research focuses on issues of academic freedom and how colleges and universities seek to achieve educational goals in a complex legal and policy environment. At each institution where he has worked, Poskanzer has also made a point of teaching students in the classroom. This fall he will teach a seminar, “Legal Issues in Higher Education,” to Carleton students.

Before coming to Carleton, Poskanzer held senior administrative and academic positions at both private and public universities. This breadth of experience makes him somewhat unusual among college presidents.

President Poskanzer received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 1980 and a law degree from Harvard University in 1983. After practicing law briefly in Washington, D.C., his entire career has been spent in higher education. He first worked in the Office of the General Counsel at the University of Pennsylvania, becoming the University’s Associate General Counsel. He then spent a year as an American Council on Education Fellow back at Princeton, working as an assistant to the University’s Provost. In 1993, Poskanzer moved to the University of Chicago, where he served as Executive Assistant to the President and, among other duties, was responsible for the University’s Public Affairs department and for policy planning for the Board of Trustees.

In 1997, Poskanzer shifted from private to public higher education, joining the State University of New York (SUNY). Initially based in Albany at SUNY’s System Administration, he quickly rose to the position of Vice Provost for the 64-campus System and headed the Office of Academic Affairs. From 2001-2010, Poskanzer served as President of SUNY New Paltz. His time in New Paltz was marked by a visible transformation in the College’s selectivity, retention, and graduation rate of students; the level of resources devoted to hiring full time faculty; and an unprecedented set of the physical improvement to the campus (including the acquisition of a 40-acre land bank for future campus growth). As a result of these enhancements to academic quality, New Paltz was acclaimed the “Hottest Small State School” in the nation by Newsweek magazine.

As President of Carleton, Poskanzer devised and led a comprehensive strategic planning process that brought together faculty, students, staff, alumni, and parents to chart the College’s course for the coming decade. This plan, Carleton’s Future, is now being implemented. The last few years at Carleton have been marked by a dramatic increase in the number of applications, along with continued success in faculty recruitment.

Tim Powers
Vice President for Government Relations and Policy Development, NAICU

Tim Powers leads the development and execution of NAICU’s public policy strategy and agenda, in coordination with NAICU’s board of trustees, institutional presidents, state associations, and secretariat members. NAICU’s broad public policy agenda covers issues critical to independent institutions of higher education, with a particular focus on federal regulations, student financial assistance programs, and tax policy.

A dedicated advocate for independent higher education, Powers brings a wealth of experience in government relations, policy development, and strategic advocacy to this critical role. His deep understanding of the sector, combined with his ability to build strong coalitions and effectively navigate complex policy and political landscapes, has established him a trusted voice among policymakers, institutional leaders, and higher education stakeholders.

Raphaella Prange
Vice President of Student Life, Maryville University (MO)

With over 27 years of experience in Higher Education, Raphaella Prange is a trailblazer in the field, driven by her unwavering commitment to removing barriers to student success. As a first-generation college student and the child of a Latin-American immigrant, Raphaella's passion for education is deeply rooted in her personal journey. Raphaella's academic achievements include a B.A. in Interpersonal Communication from DePauw University and an M.S. in Student Affairs Administration from Indiana State University. These experiences laid the foundation for her remarkable career, which began at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and flourished during her 24-year tenure at Millikin University. At Millikin, Raphaella made an indelible impact, serving in various roles within Student Affairs, including as Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs. Her visionary leadership led to the implementation of groundbreaking initiatives such as the Gallup Strengths Campus Initiative, the development of a student retention strategy and predictive model, and the supervision of the university-wide Marketing and Communications division. Raphaella's unwavering dedication and expertise were particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, as she skillfully navigated the university's response to this unprecedented challenge. Additionally, she served as Title IX Coordinator for over a decade, ensuring a safe and equitable environment for all students.

Since joining Maryville in June 2023, Raphaella has continued to make significant strides. She has built a thriving student life team that has successfully increased campus engagement and fostered a strong sense of belonging among students. Under her guidance, a comprehensive student wellness strategy has been developed and implemented, and the residential program has experienced notable growth.

Raphaella is the mother of two college-aged children and has been married to her husband, Rob, for 20 years. She is an avid gardener, theatre lover, and will travel anywhere with a beach.

Daniel Pullin
Chancellor, Texas Christian University (TX)

Daniel W. Pullin, an accomplished educator, leader and innovator, became Texas Christian University’s 11th Chancellor on June 1, 2025. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit and a steadfast commitment to student success, Chancellor Pullin is dedicated to advancing TCU’s mission, vision and values. His early career in world renowned business organizations, combined with two decades of higher education experience, uniquely positions him to lead TCU into a future of continued excellence and impact.

Before becoming Chancellor, Pullin served as the John V. Roach Dean of the Neeley School of Business and later as TCU President. Bringing operational expertise and a culture of innovation to the university’s leadership team, he spearheaded the development of a new strategic plan. Launched in January 2025, LEAD ON: Values in Action is a bold, values-centered roadmap designed to build on TCU’s momentum and elevate student success, academic achievement and institutional impact. Shaped by the input of more than 10,000 stakeholders, TCU’s strategic plan aims to strengthen the university’s excellence by: 1) Enhancing the student experience through student-centered growth; 2) Elevating academic distinction through significant increases in research, scholarship and creative activities; 3) Achieving excellence across athletics in support of student-athletes and programs; and 4) Expanding community engagement in Fort Worth and beyond.

In the first year of LEAD ON: Values in Action, TCU surpassed several major milestones. The university’s endowment exceeded $3 billion for the first time in its history; first year enrollment rose 12.3% for fall 2025; research and creative activities expenditures set new university records; major investments in emerging technologies and a campus-wide AI framework are underway; and continued success across athletics programs is enhancing engagement, audience growth and international visibility. The university is also investing in campus enhancements to support strategic growth, with new residence halls coming in fall 2027 that will provide 2,450 additional beds. TCU is currently ranked in the top 100 national universities by U.S. News & World Report. Known for its unmatched student experience, TCU is ranked No. 1 for Happiest Students, No. 2 for Best Quality of Life, No. 3 for Best Run Colleges and No. 4 for Most Beautiful Campus, among other top national rankings from The Princeton Review.

Chancellor Pullin is committed to civic and higher education leadership, serving on the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership Executive Council, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Dallas Regional Chamber Board of Advisors and is a member of Valliance Bank Board. He actively engages with industry leadership groups, including Big 12 Conference presidents, Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (ICUT), the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), the Education Advisory Board (EAB) University Presidents Roundtable and the CCI University Presidents Roundtable. He is honored as one of Fort Worth, lnc’s 500 Most Influential People in Fort Worth and D CEO Magazine’s 500 Most Influential Business Leaders in North Texas.

Pullin earned undergraduate degrees from the University of Oklahoma and an MBA from Harvard Business School before returning to OU to earn a Juris Doctor. Chancellor Pullin and his wife, Ann Bluntzer Pullin, Ph.D., are avid sports fans and enjoy attending TCU fine arts and athletic events with their children.

Alex Ricci
President, National Council of Higher Educations Resources (NCHER)

Alex Ricci is the president of the National Council of Higher Education Resources (NCHER). He provides superior advocacy, communications, policy analysis, and narrative and operational support to NCHER members so they may effectively help students and families develop, pay for, and achieve their career, training, and postsecondary educational goals. He does this by engaging with a wide range of stakeholders including federal government agencies, U.S. Congress, higher education thought leaders, and journalists.

Ricci came to NCHER after stints at Education Finance Council and the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Education and Workforce. These positions cultivated his higher education policy expertise and passion for helping students find their pathway to prosperity. His bipartisan work with the U.S. Department of Education and other congressional offices resulted in several laws improving students’ lives.

Ricci earned his B.A. in political science from St. John’s University in Minnesota. A native of Minnesota, he currently resides in Virginia.

Jeremy Singer
President, College Board

As president of College Board, Jeremy leads the organization in delivering its mission and serving its members in a financially sustainable way. He oversees Advanced Placement^®, the SAT and related instructional and assessment programs, BigFuture, Finance, Technology, Operations, International, Risk Management, Legal, and Global Strategy and Talent.

He’s also the host of The Education Equation, a podcast that explores how evidence and data can drive better outcomes for students.

In 2024, Jeremy took a six-month leave of absence from College Board to serve as FAFSA^® Executive Advisor at the U.S. Department of Education. He led the successful launch of the 2025–26 FAFSA and put the program on a stable and positive long-term trajectory.

Jeremy serves on the board of trustees of Goucher College, an innovative liberal arts institution in Baltimore.

Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles across both nonprofit and for-profit education organizations. He served as president of Kaplan Test Prep’s Graduate, Pre-College, and K–12 divisions; president of Digital Products for McGraw Hill Higher Education; CFO and COO of the Grow Network; and executive director of Partners in School Innovation.

Jeremy earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Emily Smith
Vice President of Partner Success, College Vine

Emily Smith has spent over two decades navigating the landscape of higher education technology. Her extensive experience includes collaborating with approximately 600 institutions on projects including CRM implementations, student search strategies, and business process consulting. Beyond her technical expertise, Emily is the dynamic host of "The Weekly VineDown," a podcast where she simplifies complex topics in higher education. Known for her ability to make intricate subjects both accessible and engaging, Emily is a trusted resource and a prominent voice in higher ed.

Chris Spence
Managing Director, TIAA

Chris’ 26-year career includes working as a financial consultant, policy advisor, and lobbyist. He leads TIAA’s Government Relations & Public Policy team in developing and advocating for policy positions that promote financial security and improve retirement outcomes for TIAA’s clients and Americans more broadly.

As a financial consultant, Chris helped clients determine their long-term financial goals, including achieving financially secure retirements. He took this frontline experience with clients to TIAA’s Government Relations team where he develops and executes on strategies that result in sensible action-oriented policy solutions. He advocates directly with federal policymakers on the importance of enhancing retirement security for all Americans and plays a key role in the enactment of comprehensive retirement reform legislation. He continues to collaborate with lawmakers and regulators to ensure they understand how policy proposals could impact Americans’ financial well-being, while keeping internal and external stakeholders apprised of developments in Washington, D.C.

In addition to receiving his B.A. in Journalism from Rowan University, Chris holds three financial designations: the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and the Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL). In his free time, Chris enjoys musical pursuits, improving his golf game, and spending time with his wife and three children.

Larry Stimpert, Ph.D.
President, Hampden-Sydney College (VA) 

Larry Stimpert has served as the 25^th president of Hampden-Sydney College since 2016. Reflecting his deep commitment to the liberal arts and the College’s distinctive mission, “to form good men and good citizens,” his presidency is focused on providing students with an extraordinary educational experience and outcomes. Under his leadership, the College has implemented curricular and co-curricular enhancements, including new majors and minors, an experiential learning initiative, a four-year leadership program, and new programs in entrepreneurship and outdoor education. The College has broadened the racial, ethnic, socio-economic, and geographic reach of its recruiting efforts and significantly improved retention. The College has set fundraising records in each of the last five years and it has pursued a vigorous building and renovation agenda that has culminated most recently in the construction of the Pauley Science Center and many other construction projects.

While serving as Hampden-Sydney’s president, Dr. Stimpert has chaired the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV) and the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC), and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). He is currently a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU).

Before coming to Hampden-Sydney, Dr. Stimpert served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Economics and Management at DePauw University. Earlier, he served for 17 years as a professor in the Economics and Business Department at Colorado College. He is the author or co-author of many scholarly articles and the co-author of two management textbooks. Dr. Stimpert received his B.A. in economics from Illinois Wesleyan University, his M.B.A. from Columbia University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois.

Before starting his academic career, Dr. Stimpert worked for the Norfolk Southern Corporation and the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company. Dr. Stimpert and his wife, Lesley, have two children.

He is currently a member of the NAICU Board of Directors.

Tania Tetlow
President, Fordham University (NY)

Tania Tetlow is the 33rd president of Fordham University, making history as the first woman and layperson to lead the institution since its founding in 1841. A legal scholar and former assistant U.S. attorney, she has overseen record-breaking fundraising efforts and spearheaded significant new investments in STEM and integrated science facilities. Her leadership is further distinguished by her prior tenure as president of Loyola University New Orleans and her current roles on national boards for Jesuit and independent higher education.

Farnaz Farkish Thompson
Partner, McGuireWoods

Suzanne Stokes Vieth
Director of State Relations and Outreach, NAICU
 
Suzanne Stokes Vieth is responsible for cultivating and managing the association’s network of state executives, tracking emerging higher education issues at the state level, and serving as primary liaison with the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus. She joined NAICU from the Population Association of America/ Association of Population Centers where she served as deputy director for government affairs. Previously, she served as the manager of congressional relations for the Association of Public Television Stations and began her career as a legislative assistant in the office of former U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT). Vieth is a graduate of the University of Michigan.

Maura Watson
Executive Vice President, Risk/Infosec/Talent PenFed Credit Union

Maura Burns Watson is Executive Vice President, Risk, InfoSec and Talent at PenFed Credit Union, serving the membership of 3 million by applying her risk assessment, judgment, technical and management skills to help lead the organization. 

Maura retired in November of 2019, after 29 years, from the Central Intelligence Agency’s Center for Cyber Intelligence (CCI) senior management team of intelligence professionals guiding the CIA’s understanding of and collection against cyber threats from foreign actors globally. Maura was jointly responsible for ensuring quality and efficacy of CIA operations in this realm, and led a large workforce of staff employees and contractors.  In 2021, she moved to PenFed Credit Union where she has managed portfolios for Cyber Security, Financial Risk, Operational Risk, Credit and Quantitative modeling Risk, Corporate Communications, Governance, Data and Analytics, and Human Resources. Maura possesses an M.A. in History, with Middle East concentration, from the University of Scranton, and an Executive MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management; in 2020 she earned her cybersecurity certificate in Harvard’s ‘Managing Risk in the Information Age’ Program and in 2023 completed University of Michigan Ross school’s Advanced Human Resources Executive Program. 

Maura served on the Board of Directors of Chicago-based software consultancy 8th Light, Inc. 2016-2022, including 3 years as Chairman of this Board. Since Jan 2023, she has been a Board Director of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO). She has spoken at various university and professional forums over the past 5 years. She is most proud to be spouse for 33 years to Ben, mother to 4, and grandmother to 10.