EAB Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

EAB has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, technology, marketing, operations, and recruitment.

Driven by a commitment to educational advancement, EAB partners with institutions to implement evidence-based strategies that measurably improve student outcomes and institutional effectiveness, thereby shaping the future of learning across K-12 and higher education.

Leadership Roles at EAB

  • Chief Executive Officer - David Felsenthal
  • Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder - Kate Volzer
  • Chief Executive Officer and Publisher and Photographer - Gary Spencer
  • Chief Financial Officer - Michael Kirshbaum
  • Managing Director, Chief of Staff & President, Enrollment Services - Lauren Richter
  • Chief Technology Officer - James Mathews
  • Chief Marketing Officer - Lia Davidson
  • Senior Director and Chief of Staff for Adult Learner Recruitment - Patricia Hege
  • David Felsenthal - Chief Executive Officer

    David Felsenthal, the Chief Executive Officer at EAB, directs the overarching strategy and operational execution for the organization's partnerships with educational institutions. Felsenthal guides the company's mission to address critical challenges across K-12 and higher education systems by implementing evidence-based strategies that measurably improve student outcomes and institutional effectiveness. This leadership involves translating rigorous research into practical, actionable solutions tailored to the unique contexts of schools and universities. Overseeing the development of comprehensive toolkits and frameworks, Felsenthal ensures EAB's work spans foundational literacy, college preparation, workforce readiness, educator recruitment, organizational communications, and campus safety. The Chief Executive Officer's role emphasizes collaborative partnership, providing institutions with customized research and implementation support to foster informed decision-making regarding resource allocation and program design. David Felsenthal's strategic direction ensures EAB's continued impact on educational success nationwide.
    David Felsenthal

    Kate Volzer - Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder

    Kate Volzer, the Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder at EAB, drives the foundational vision and strategic direction for the company's engagement with educational institutions. Volzer's leadership is central to EAB's mission of addressing critical challenges within K-12 and higher education by fostering evidence-based strategies that enhance student outcomes and institutional effectiveness. This role involves pioneering new approaches to educational improvement, combining deep research insights with practical implementation support for educators. The Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder oversees the development of critical resources and frameworks that target key areas such as literacy, college readiness, and workforce development. Volzer's commitment to collaborative partnership ensures that institutions receive tailored guidance, enabling them to make informed decisions about program design and resource allocation. Kate Volzer's co-founding influence continues to shape EAB's impact across the educational landscape.

    Gary Spencer - Chief Executive Officer and Publisher and Photographer

    Gary Spencer, the Chief Executive Officer and Publisher and Photographer at EAB, directs the strategic vision and operational execution across multiple facets of the organization. Spencer's leadership encompasses the publishing arm, ensuring the dissemination of EAB's research and frameworks to educational institutions. This role involves overseeing the creation and distribution of evidence-based strategies designed to improve student outcomes and institutional effectiveness in K-12 and higher education. As Publisher, Gary Spencer guides the content strategy, ensuring practical implementation support is integrated with rigorous research. The Photographer aspect of the title suggests a unique contribution to visual storytelling and documentation of EAB's work and impact. Spencer's multifaceted leadership ensures EAB's comprehensive approach to educational challenges is effectively communicated and implemented across diverse educational environments. Gary Spencer's unique combination of skills drives EAB's mission forward.

    Michael Kirshbaum - Chief Financial Officer

    Michael Kirshbaum, the Chief Financial Officer at EAB, manages the organization's financial strategy and fiscal operations, ensuring robust resource allocation to support EAB's mission. Kirshbaum oversees all financial planning, budgeting, and reporting, providing critical insights that enable evidence-based decision-making across K-12 and higher education initiatives. This leadership role is integral to translating research and implementation support into measurable improvements in student outcomes and institutional effectiveness. The Chief Financial Officer ensures financial health and sustainability, enabling EAB to develop comprehensive toolkits and frameworks for areas like literacy, college preparation, and workforce readiness. Kirshbaum's financial oversight supports EAB's collaborative partnership model, ensuring institutions receive customized research and guidance effectively. Michael Kirshbaum's fiscal management underpins EAB's capacity to deliver impactful solutions.

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

    Lauren Richter, the Managing Director, Chief of Staff & President, Enrollment Services at EAB, provides critical operational leadership and strategic support across key organizational functions. Richter oversees the Chief of Staff responsibilities, ensuring seamless coordination and execution of initiatives that advance EAB's mission to improve student outcomes and institutional effectiveness in K-12 and higher education. As President of Enrollment Services, this leader drives strategies focused on enhancing student recruitment and retention through evidence-based approaches. The role integrates rigorous research with practical implementation support, particularly within enrollment management contexts. Richter's leadership ensures the effective deployment of EAB's toolkits and frameworks, supporting institutions in making data-driven decisions. Lauren Richter's dual focus on operational efficiency and enrollment strategy significantly contributes to EAB's impact.

    James Mathews - Chief Technology Officer

    James Mathews, the Chief Technology Officer at EAB, architects and oversees the technological infrastructure and innovation strategy that underpins the organization's service delivery. Mathews ensures that EAB's digital platforms and tools effectively support the implementation of evidence-based strategies aimed at improving student outcomes and institutional effectiveness across K-12 and higher education. This leadership role is crucial for translating rigorous research into actionable solutions, leveraging technology to enhance the delivery of comprehensive toolkits and frameworks. The Chief Technology Officer guides the development and integration of systems that facilitate data-driven insights and practical implementation support for educators. Mathews's technological vision enables EAB to provide customized research and ongoing support, ensuring institutions can make informed decisions about program design and resource allocation. James Mathews's expertise drives EAB's technological advancement and operational efficiency.
    James Mathews

    Lia Davidson - Chief Marketing Officer

    Lia Davidson, the Chief Marketing Officer at EAB, directs the strategic development and execution of marketing initiatives that communicate the value of EAB's partnerships with educational institutions. Davidson oversees the branding, messaging, and outreach efforts designed to highlight how EAB's evidence-based strategies measurably improve student outcomes and institutional effectiveness across K-12 and higher education. This leadership role is critical in translating the organization's rigorous research and practical implementation support into compelling narratives for educators. The Chief Marketing Officer guides the promotion of comprehensive toolkits and frameworks targeting key areas such as literacy, college preparation, and workforce readiness. Davidson's marketing strategies reinforce EAB's collaborative partnership model, ensuring institutions understand the benefits of customized research and guidance. Lia Davidson's efforts amplify EAB's impact and reach within the educational sector.

    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, spearheads initiatives focused on expanding educational access and success for adult learners. Hege directs recruitment strategies that leverage evidence-based approaches to improve outcomes and institutional effectiveness within higher education. This leadership role integrates rigorous research with practical implementation support, specifically targeting the unique needs of adult students. The Chief of Staff function ensures alignment and efficient execution of recruitment programs, contributing to EAB's broader mission. Hege's work involves developing and deploying specialized toolkits and frameworks designed to enhance adult learner engagement and completion rates. Patricia Hege's dedicated focus on adult learner recruitment significantly strengthens EAB's comprehensive support for educational institutions.

    Explore Leadership Teams in Business Services

    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 Kate Volzer (Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder) and Gary Spencer (Chief Executive Officer and Publisher and Photographer).
    Who is part of EAB’s executive team?
    The executive team of EAB includes leaders such as David Felsenthal (Chief Executive Officer), Kate Volzer (Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder), Gary Spencer (Chief Executive Officer and Publisher and Photographer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does EAB have?
    EAB has 8 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 Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Publisher and Photographer, Chief Financial Officer, Managing Director, Chief of Staff & President, Enrollment Services.