Chapman University Executive and Leadership Team

Karen Young, the Chief Executive Officer at Chapman University, directs the overarching institutional strategy and long-term academic vision. Overseeing the alignment of faculty research with student outcomes, the Chief Executive Officer ensures the university maintains high standards of excellence across all departments. This leadership role involves managing complex stakeholder relationships and driving initiatives that expand the university's influence within the competitive higher education landscape. By prioritizing sustainable growth and innovation, Karen Young directly impacts the institution's ability to attract top-tier talent and resources. Young secures the financial and academic future of the university through disciplined oversight of administrative priorities and strategic partnerships. The Chief Executive Officer maintains a focus on fostering an inclusive campus culture that supports diverse learning objectives while advancing the core mission of providing a world-class education to students across North America and beyond.

Harold Hewitt, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Chapman University, directs the financial health and physical infrastructure of the institution. Overseeing campus development projects and fiscal planning, the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer ensures that the university maintains a robust balance sheet to support long-term academic expansion. This leadership role involves managing capital investments and operational budgets to maximize the impact of university resources. By optimizing facility management and administrative services, Harold Hewitt directly impacts the quality of the campus environment. Hewitt drives the strategic planning process for physical growth and sustainability initiatives. The Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer maintains a focus on operational excellence, ensuring that the university remains a fiscally responsible and physically capable institution that provides a premier learning environment for students and faculty across all academic disciplines.

Lana Rayan, the President, International Law Society at Chapman University, directs the engagement of students in global legal discourse and professional development. Overseeing the organization of international conferences and networking events, the President, International Law Society ensures that students gain exposure to diverse legal perspectives and career opportunities. This leadership role involves fostering partnerships with global legal organizations to expand the reach of the university's law programs. By facilitating workshops and seminars on international law, Lana Rayan directly impacts the professional readiness of students entering the global legal market. Rayan drives the expansion of the society's influence through collaborative projects and academic outreach. The President, International Law Society maintains a focus on global legal education, ensuring that the university provides a platform for students to engage with complex international issues and build a network of professional contacts that span multiple jurisdictions and legal systems.

Daniel Leonard, the Chief Technology Officer & Associate Dean at Chapman University, architects the digital infrastructure necessary for modern academic research and administrative efficiency. Overseeing the integration of advanced computing systems, the Chief Technology Officer & Associate Dean ensures that faculty and students possess access to cutting-edge tools for data analysis and collaborative learning. This leadership role involves bridging the gap between technical requirements and academic curriculum development to enhance the overall educational experience. By optimizing network security and cloud-based resources, Daniel Leonard directly impacts the university's operational agility. Leonard drives the implementation of scalable technology solutions that support the institution's research goals. The Chief Technology Officer & Associate Dean maintains a focus on digital transformation, ensuring that the university remains at the forefront of technological innovation within the higher education sector while supporting regional and global connectivity for all campus stakeholders.

Amy Rogan-Mehta, the Executive Vice President & Chief of Staff at Chapman University, manages the daily operations of the executive office and coordinates cross-departmental initiatives. Overseeing the execution of strategic priorities, the Executive Vice President & Chief of Staff ensures that all administrative functions align with the broader institutional goals. This leadership role involves facilitating communication between the Board of Trustees and the senior leadership team to maintain organizational cohesion. By streamlining internal processes and resource allocation, Amy Rogan-Mehta directly impacts the efficiency of university operations. Rogan-Mehta drives the implementation of policies that support faculty development and student support services. The Executive Vice President & Chief of Staff maintains a focus on institutional effectiveness, ensuring that the university achieves its mission through disciplined management and clear communication channels that span the entire campus community and its various external partners.

Phillip Lyle, the Interim Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Chapman University, manages the information technology strategy and data governance frameworks. Overseeing the protection of institutional data and the reliability of campus-wide communication systems, the Interim Vice President and Chief Information Officer ensures that all digital assets remain secure and accessible. This leadership role involves coordinating with academic departments to provide the necessary software and hardware support for research and instruction. By modernizing legacy systems and implementing robust cybersecurity protocols, Phillip Lyle directly impacts the university's ability to conduct secure research. Lyle drives the adoption of new information management tools that enhance administrative productivity. The Interim Vice President and Chief Information Officer maintains a focus on technological resilience, ensuring that the university's information infrastructure supports the evolving needs of a modern academic institution while maintaining compliance with industry standards and data privacy regulations.

James Brownlow, the Life Member at Chapman University, provides long-term advisory support and historical context to the university's governance structure. Overseeing the preservation of institutional values and legacy, the Life Member ensures that current strategic decisions remain consistent with the university's foundational mission. This leadership role involves participating in high-level discussions regarding the future direction of the institution and offering guidance based on extensive experience. By maintaining a connection to the university's history, James Brownlow directly impacts the continuity of the institutional culture. Brownlow drives the promotion of the university's heritage among alumni and donors. The Life Member maintains a focus on institutional stability, ensuring that the university continues to uphold its core principles while adapting to the changing landscape of higher education and maintaining strong relationships with the broader community of supporters and stakeholders.