EAB Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

EAB has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, technology, marketing, operations, and project management.

Driven by a commitment to educational advancement, EAB partners with institutions to implement evidence-based strategies that measurably improve student outcomes and institutional effectiveness, translating data-driven insights into actionable solutions.

Leadership Roles at EAB

  • Chief Executive Officer - David Felsenthal
  • Chief Financial Officer - Michael Kirshbaum
  • Senior Chief Operating Officer, Facilities & 38 Real Estate - Maritza Gomez Acosta
  • Managing Director, Chief of Staff & President, Enrollment Services - Lauren Richter
  • Chief Technology Officer - James Mathews
  • Chief Marketing Officer - Lia Davidson
  • Managing Director and Chief of Staff, Enroll360 - Ashley Huffman
  • Senior Director, Project Management Office Mes Engineering & Chief of Staff - Rob Long
  • Senior Director and Chief of Staff for Adult Learner Recruitment - Patricia Hege
  • Community & Technical Colleges Chief of Staff - Joseph DiVirgilio
  • David Felsenthal - Chief Executive Officer

    David Felsenthal, the Chief Executive Officer at EAB, directs the overarching strategy and operational framework for the organization's partnerships with educational institutions. Felsenthal guides EAB's mission to address critical challenges across K-12 and higher education systems by ensuring the implementation of evidence-based strategies. This leadership involves translating rigorous research into practical, actionable solutions that measurably improve student outcomes and institutional effectiveness. The Chief Executive Officer oversees the development of comprehensive toolkits and frameworks targeting key areas such as foundational literacy, college preparation, workforce readiness, educator recruitment, organizational communications, and campus safety. David Felsenthal's role ensures that EAB's collaborative partnership approach, rather than prescriptive consulting, remains central to delivering customized research and implementation guidance. This focus supports educational leaders in making informed decisions about resource allocation and program design, reflecting a deep understanding of each institution's unique circumstances and capacity.
    David Felsenthal

    Michael Kirshbaum - Chief Financial Officer

    Michael Kirshbaum, the Chief Financial Officer at EAB, manages the organization's financial health and strategic fiscal planning. Kirshbaum oversees all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation, ensuring alignment with EAB's mission to improve student outcomes and institutional effectiveness. The Chief Financial Officer plays a critical part in analyzing the financial implications of new initiatives and partnerships within the K-12 and higher education sectors. This role involves developing financial models that support the implementation of evidence-based strategies and toolkits, such as those for literacy development, college preparation, and workforce readiness. Michael Kirshbaum's financial oversight extends to evaluating the economic viability of programs designed to enhance educator recruitment, retention, and campus safety. By providing robust financial insights, the Chief Financial Officer enables EAB to deliver customized research and support effectively, ensuring sustainable growth and impact across diverse educational environments.

    Maritza Gomez Acosta - Senior Chief Operating Officer, Facilities & 38 Real Estate

    Maritza Gomez Acosta, the Senior Chief Operating Officer, Facilities & Real Estate at EAB, directs the strategic management and operational oversight of the organization's physical infrastructure and real estate portfolio. Acosta ensures that EAB's facilities and real estate operations effectively support the company's mission to partner with educational institutions and address critical challenges. The Senior Chief Operating Officer, Facilities & Real Estate oversees the planning, development, and maintenance of all physical assets, ensuring they align with EAB's commitment to institutional effectiveness and student success. This leadership involves implementing best practices in facilities management and real estate acquisition or disposition to optimize resource utilization. Maritza Gomez Acosta's role is crucial in maintaining an environment conducive to research, innovation, and collaborative partnership. By managing these vital operational areas, Acosta contributes significantly to EAB's ability to deliver evidence-based strategies and practical solutions across K-12 and higher education.

    Lauren Richter - Managing Director, Chief of Staff & President, Enrollment Services

    Lauren Richter, the Managing Director, Chief of Staff & President, Enrollment Services at EAB, drives strategic leadership and operational excellence across enrollment services and key organizational initiatives. Richter oversees the comprehensive strategy and execution of enrollment services, ensuring alignment with EAB's mission to enhance student outcomes and institutional effectiveness. The Managing Director, Chief of Staff & President, Enrollment Services leads efforts to implement evidence-based strategies that address critical challenges in student recruitment and retention for higher education partners. This role involves translating research into actionable programs and providing critical support to educational leaders. Lauren Richter's responsibilities include managing cross-functional teams, fostering innovation within enrollment services, and ensuring the seamless integration of these services with EAB's broader research and consulting offerings. By providing dedicated leadership, Richter significantly contributes to EAB's impact on educational institutions.

    James Mathews - Chief Technology Officer

    James Mathews, the Chief Technology Officer at EAB, directs the technological infrastructure and innovation strategy that underpins the organization's service delivery. Mathews oversees the development and deployment of digital tools and platforms used to support educational institutions in addressing critical challenges. The Chief Technology Officer ensures that EAB's research and implementation support leverage cutting-edge technology to measurably improve student outcomes and institutional effectiveness. This leadership involves guiding the creation of robust systems for data analysis, evidence-based strategy implementation, and practical solution delivery across K-12 and higher education. James Mathews's responsibilities include managing the technology behind toolkits for foundational literacy, college preparation, workforce readiness, and educator retention. By championing technological advancement, the Chief Technology Officer enables EAB to provide customized, data-driven insights and actionable solutions tailored to the unique contexts of partner institutions.
    James Mathews

    Lia Davidson - Chief Marketing Officer

    Lia Davidson, the Chief Marketing Officer at EAB, leads the strategic development and execution of marketing initiatives that communicate the organization's value proposition to educational institutions. Davidson oversees all aspects of brand management, market research, and communication strategies designed to highlight EAB's impact on student outcomes and institutional effectiveness. The Chief Marketing Officer ensures that EAB's evidence-based strategies and practical solutions are effectively presented to K-12 and higher education leaders. This involves translating complex research findings and implementation support into compelling narratives that resonate with educators and administrators. Lia Davidson's role includes driving awareness for EAB's comprehensive toolkits and frameworks, covering areas from literacy development to campus safety. By shaping EAB's market presence, the Chief Marketing Officer supports the organization's mission to foster collaborative partnerships and enable informed decision-making through data-driven insights.

    Ashley Huffman - Managing Director and Chief of Staff, Enroll360

    Ashley Huffman, the Managing Director and Chief of Staff, Enroll360 at EAB, spearheads initiatives focused on enhancing enrollment strategies for educational institutions. Huffman directs the operational execution and strategic alignment of the Enroll360 program, ensuring its effectiveness in addressing critical challenges within higher education. The Managing Director and Chief of Staff, Enroll360 oversees the implementation of evidence-based strategies designed to measurably improve student recruitment and retention outcomes. This leadership involves translating research into actionable solutions that support institutions in navigating complex enrollment landscapes. Ashley Huffman's responsibilities include managing cross-functional teams and ensuring seamless integration of Enroll360's capabilities with broader institutional goals. By providing dedicated leadership and operational oversight, Ashley Huffman drives the success of enrollment services, reinforcing EAB's commitment to partnering with educators for improved institutional effectiveness.

    Rob Long - Senior Director, Project Management Office Mes Engineering & Chief of Staff

    Rob Long, the Senior Director, Project Management Office Mes Engineering & Chief of Staff at EAB, leads the strategic oversight and execution of critical engineering and project management initiatives. Long directs the Project Management Office (PMO) and associated engineering efforts, ensuring alignment with EAB's core mission of improving educational outcomes. The Senior Director, Project Management Office Mes Engineering & Chief of Staff oversees the successful delivery of complex projects, applying evidence-based methodologies to enhance institutional effectiveness. This leadership involves translating research insights into tangible technological solutions and operational improvements for K-12 and higher education partners. Rob Long's responsibilities include managing project lifecycles, resource allocation, and risk mitigation to ensure projects meet defined objectives and timelines. By championing robust project management and engineering practices, Rob Long ensures EAB's initiatives are implemented efficiently and effectively, supporting the organization's commitment to data-driven solutions.

    Patricia Hege - Senior Director and Chief of Staff for Adult Learner Recruitment

    Patricia Hege, the Senior Director and Chief of Staff for Adult Learner Recruitment at EAB, directs specialized strategies to enhance recruitment and engagement of adult learners in higher education. Hege oversees the development and implementation of evidence-based approaches tailored to the unique needs and pathways of adult students. The Senior Director and Chief of Staff for Adult Learner Recruitment ensures that EAB's initiatives effectively address critical challenges in attracting and retaining this vital student demographic, thereby improving institutional effectiveness. This leadership involves translating research into practical, actionable recruitment solutions that resonate with adult learners' life circumstances and educational goals. Patricia Hege's role is instrumental in guiding institutions to leverage data-driven insights for optimizing adult learner recruitment pipelines. By focusing on this critical segment, Hege supports EAB's broader mission to improve student outcomes across diverse educational environments.

    Joseph DiVirgilio - Community & Technical Colleges Chief of Staff

    Joseph DiVirgilio, the Community & Technical Colleges Chief of Staff at EAB, provides strategic leadership and operational support focused on the unique needs of community and technical colleges. DiVirgilio directs initiatives aimed at addressing critical challenges within these institutions, ensuring the effective implementation of evidence-based strategies. The Community & Technical Colleges Chief of Staff oversees the translation of research into practical solutions that measurably improve student outcomes and institutional effectiveness for this sector. This leadership involves close collaboration with college leaders to understand their specific contexts and capacity for change. Joseph DiVirgilio's responsibilities include ensuring that EAB's programs and toolkits are relevant and impactful for community and technical college environments, covering areas such as workforce readiness and student support. By championing the specific needs of this sector, DiVirgilio reinforces EAB's commitment to delivering customized guidance and fostering informed decision-making.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding EAB Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads EAB?
    EAB is led by David Felsenthal (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Michael Kirshbaum (Chief Financial Officer) and Maritza Gomez Acosta (Senior Chief Operating Officer, Facilities & 38 Real Estate).
    Who is part of EAB’s executive team?
    The executive team of EAB includes leaders such as David Felsenthal (Chief Executive Officer), Michael Kirshbaum (Chief Financial Officer), Maritza Gomez Acosta (Senior Chief Operating Officer, Facilities & 38 Real Estate) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does EAB have?
    EAB has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in EAB’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of EAB includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Senior Chief Operating Officer, Facilities & 38 Real Estate, Managing Director, Chief of Staff & President, Enrollment Services, Chief Technology Officer.