Boston College Executive and Leadership Team

Denim Shrestha, the Chief Executive Officer at Boston College, directs the overarching strategic vision and institutional advancement of the university. Overseeing long-term financial sustainability and academic excellence, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with the Jesuit mission. This leadership role involves managing complex stakeholder relationships and driving growth across the Chestnut Hill campus. By optimizing resource allocation, Denim Shrestha directly impacts the university's ability to provide world-class research opportunities. Shrestha secures the future of the institution through rigorous planning and operational oversight. The Chief Executive Officer maintains high standards for faculty recruitment and student success metrics. Through constant engagement with the Board, Shrestha facilitates institutional progress. This executive role requires balancing traditional academic values with modern administrative efficiency. Ultimately, Shrestha drives the university toward greater national prominence while maintaining the core identity of the institution.

Benjamin Legher, the Co President at Boston College, shares responsibility for the administrative oversight and strategic direction of specific university divisions. Overseeing internal governance and student affairs, the Co President ensures the campus environment reflects the Jesuit commitment to service. This leadership role involves managing departmental budgets and fostering a culture of academic excellence. By coordinating with other senior leaders, Benjamin Legher directly impacts the university's ability to meet its enrollment and retention targets. Legher secures the operational stability of the assigned divisions through consistent policy enforcement. The Co President facilitates communication between faculty and administration to resolve complex institutional challenges. Through collaborative leadership, Legher supports the development of new programs that enhance the student experience. This executive role requires a focus on both immediate operational needs and long-term institutional health. Ultimately, Legher drives the success of the university's core academic and community initiatives.

Adrienne Zak, the President at Boston College, provides the primary leadership and public representation for the university. Overseeing the implementation of the strategic plan and the advancement of the Jesuit mission, the President ensures the institution remains a leader in private research. This leadership role involves engaging with alumni, donors, and government officials to secure the university's future. By championing academic freedom and research innovation, Adrienne Zak directly impacts the university's reputation on the national stage. Zak secures the financial and intellectual resources necessary for long-term growth. The President collaborates with the Board of Trustees to set the vision for the institution. Through visionary leadership, Zak guides the university through the complexities of modern higher education. This executive role requires a commitment to the core values of the institution while navigating global challenges. Ultimately, Zak drives the university toward continued excellence and societal impact.

Federico Baltodano, the Co President at Boston College, focuses on the expansion of research partnerships and external relations. Overseeing the development of global academic collaborations, the Co President ensures the university maintains a strong presence in international research circles. This leadership role involves managing high-level relationships with industry partners and peer institutions. By fostering innovation in research, Federico Baltodano directly impacts the university's standing in the global academic community. Baltodano secures funding and resources for interdisciplinary projects that address complex societal issues. The Co President coordinates with academic deans to align research initiatives with the university's strategic goals. Through strategic networking, Baltodano facilitates the growth of the university's research portfolio. This executive role requires a deep understanding of both academic and commercial research landscapes. Ultimately, Baltodano drives the university's influence and impact through strategic global engagement and collaborative research efforts.

Danielle Topaz, the President of the GEA at Boston College, leads the Graduate Education Association and advocates for the needs of the graduate student body. Overseeing professional development programs and student advocacy initiatives, the President of the GEA ensures that graduate students receive the support necessary for academic success. This leadership role involves representing graduate student interests to the university administration and the Board. By facilitating workshops and networking events, Danielle Topaz directly impacts the career readiness of the graduate population. Topaz secures resources for research support and student wellness programs. The President of the GEA collaborates with faculty to improve the quality of graduate education and research training. Through active engagement, Topaz fosters a vibrant and inclusive community for graduate scholars. This executive role requires strong communication skills and a dedication to student advocacy. Ultimately, Topaz drives the success and well-being of the graduate student community.

Claire Richter, the President at Boston College, manages the operational oversight of specific academic departments and faculty development programs. Overseeing the implementation of curriculum standards and research quality benchmarks, the President ensures the university maintains its high academic standing. This leadership role involves mentoring faculty and promoting excellence in teaching and scholarship. By fostering a collaborative academic environment, Claire Richter directly impacts the quality of the student learning experience. Richter secures the necessary support for faculty research and professional growth. The President coordinates with department chairs to align academic offerings with current industry trends and student needs. Through strategic oversight, Richter facilitates the continuous improvement of the university's academic programs. This executive role requires a balance of administrative rigor and academic empathy. Ultimately, Richter drives the academic success and reputation of the university through dedicated faculty support and curriculum innovation.

Natalie Garayeva, the President at Boston College, directs the university's community engagement and outreach initiatives. Overseeing partnerships with local organizations and service-learning programs, the President ensures the university remains deeply connected to the broader community. This leadership role involves managing public relations and promoting the university's commitment to social justice and service. By coordinating volunteer efforts and community projects, Natalie Garayeva directly impacts the university's social footprint. Garayeva secures support for initiatives that address local needs and promote civic engagement among students. The President collaborates with community leaders to identify opportunities for meaningful collaboration. Through strategic outreach, Garayeva facilitates the integration of service into the student experience. This executive role requires a passion for community development and a commitment to the Jesuit mission of service. Ultimately, Garayeva drives the university's positive impact on the local and regional community through active engagement.

John Zona, the Chief Information Officer at Boston College, architects the digital infrastructure supporting research and administrative functions. Overseeing cybersecurity protocols and data management systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures seamless connectivity for the entire university community. This leadership role involves modernizing legacy platforms to improve operational efficiency across the Chestnut Hill campus. By implementing advanced cloud solutions, John Zona directly impacts the university's capacity for data-driven decision-making. Zona secures critical information assets against evolving digital threats. The Chief Information Officer collaborates with academic departments to integrate technology into the classroom experience. Through strategic investment in hardware and software, Zona facilitates innovation in research methodologies. This executive role requires constant adaptation to the rapidly changing technological landscape within higher education. Ultimately, Zona drives the digital transformation necessary for maintaining a competitive edge in the global academic market.

Scott Jones, the Chief of Staff at Boston College, coordinates executive communications and manages the daily operations of the president's office. Overseeing internal policy implementation and cross-departmental collaboration, the Chief of Staff ensures the smooth execution of institutional priorities. This leadership role involves facilitating meetings between senior leadership and external partners to advance the university's mission. By streamlining administrative workflows, Scott Jones directly impacts the efficiency of the executive team. Jones secures alignment between various campus divisions and the strategic goals set by the university leadership. The Chief of Staff monitors progress on key initiatives and provides critical updates to the Board. Through meticulous planning and project management, Jones supports the overall health of the organization. This executive role requires exceptional organizational skills and a deep understanding of the university's complex governance structure. Ultimately, Jones drives operational excellence across the entire institution.

Scott Cann, the Chief Information Officer & Vice President, Information Technology at Boston College, manages the enterprise-wide technology strategy and IT service delivery. Overseeing the deployment of scalable network solutions, the Chief Information Officer & Vice President, Information Technology ensures robust support for faculty and student digital needs. This leadership role involves managing large-scale IT budgets and vendor partnerships to maximize value. By optimizing the university's technical ecosystem, Scott Cann directly impacts the reliability of research and administrative systems. Cann secures the integrity of the campus network through proactive maintenance and infrastructure upgrades. The Chief Information Officer & Vice President, Information Technology coordinates with academic leaders to align technology investments with pedagogical goals. Through strategic planning, Cann facilitates the adoption of emerging technologies. This executive role requires balancing immediate operational demands with long-term digital growth. Ultimately, Cann drives the technological advancement of the university.