EAB Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

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

Committed to advancing educational equity and institutional performance, EAB delivers evidence-based research and implementation support to schools and universities globally, fostering sustainable improvements in student outcomes and operational effectiveness.

Leadership Roles at EAB

  • Chief Executive Officer - David Felsenthal
  • 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
  • Community & Technical Colleges Chief of Staff - Joseph DiVirgilio
  • Senior Director and Chief of Staff for Adult Learner Recruitment - Patricia Hege
  • Senior Director, Project Management Office Mes Engineering & Chief of Staff - Robert Long
  • Managing Director and Chief of Staff, Enroll360 - Ashley Huffman
  • Senior Director and Chief of Staff - Meredith Schatz
  • David Felsenthal - Chief Executive Officer

    David Felsenthal, the Chief Executive Officer at EAB, directs the overarching strategic vision and organizational growth of the firm. Felsenthal oversees the alignment of research-backed solutions with the evolving needs of K-12 and higher education institutions across North America. By prioritizing collaborative partnerships, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that every initiative translates complex data into actionable institutional frameworks. This leadership role involves constant engagement with the Board to refine long-term goals regarding student success and campus safety. David Felsenthal maintains a focus on scaling the impact of evidence-based strategies to address systemic challenges in education. Through rigorous oversight of resource allocation and program design, the Chief Executive Officer drives the company toward sustainable market leadership. Ultimately, Felsenthal secures the operational integrity required to support diverse educational environments in achieving measurable improvements in student outcomes and institutional effectiveness.
    David Felsenthal

    Michael Kirshbaum - Chief Financial Officer

    Michael Kirshbaum, the Chief Financial Officer at EAB, directs the financial planning, analysis, and fiscal health of the organization. Kirshbaum oversees the allocation of capital to support research initiatives and the development of comprehensive toolkits for educational institutions. By monitoring economic trends within the education sector, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that the firm maintains the resources necessary to provide ongoing implementation support to partners. This leadership role involves collaborating with the executive team to evaluate the financial viability of new programs and service expansions. Michael Kirshbaum drives the fiscal discipline required to sustain long-term growth while maintaining the company's commitment to academic rigor. Through the management of financial reporting and risk assessment, the Chief Financial Officer supports the strategic objectives of the entire organization. Ultimately, Kirshbaum ensures that the company remains financially positioned to address the critical challenges facing K-12 and higher education systems.

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

    Lauren Richter, the Managing Director, Chief of Staff & President, Enrollment Services at EAB, directs the strategic operations of the enrollment division. Richter oversees the development and execution of recruitment frameworks that assist universities in meeting their enrollment goals. By integrating research-driven insights into the enrollment process, the Managing Director, Chief of Staff & President, Enrollment Services ensures that institutions can effectively attract and retain students. This leadership role involves managing the operational scale of enrollment services to support diverse campus environments. Lauren Richter drives the implementation of comprehensive toolkits designed to optimize the student journey from initial inquiry to graduation. Through the coordination of internal teams and external partners, the Managing Director, Chief of Staff & President, Enrollment Services maintains a focus on achieving measurable growth for client institutions. Ultimately, Richter secures the success of enrollment initiatives by aligning service delivery with the specific needs of each university.

    James Mathews - Chief Technology Officer

    James Mathews, the Chief Technology Officer at EAB, architects the digital infrastructure and software toolkits that power educational research delivery. Mathews oversees the development of scalable platforms designed to assist universities in managing student data and workforce readiness programs. By integrating advanced analytics into the company's service offerings, the Chief Technology Officer ensures that educators receive precise, data-driven insights for their specific institutional contexts. This leadership role involves coordinating with product teams to maintain high standards of security and usability across all digital assets. James Mathews drives the technological innovation necessary to support complex campus safety protocols and recruitment frameworks. Through the continuous optimization of software architecture, the Chief Technology Officer enables the firm to provide seamless implementation support to partners. Ultimately, Mathews ensures that the technological foundation remains robust enough to facilitate meaningful change within the global education sector.
    James Mathews

    Lia Davidson - Chief Marketing Officer

    Lia Davidson, the Chief Marketing Officer at EAB, directs the brand strategy and market positioning for the organization's research-based educational solutions. Davidson oversees the communication of complex institutional frameworks to diverse stakeholders across the higher education landscape. By crafting targeted messaging that highlights the value of evidence-based strategies, the Chief Marketing Officer ensures that schools and universities understand the practical feasibility of the company's offerings. This leadership role involves managing outreach initiatives that promote literacy development and college preparation pathways to a broad audience. Lia Davidson drives the expansion of the firm's market presence by articulating the benefits of collaborative partnership over prescriptive consulting. Through the strategic deployment of content and digital campaigns, the Chief Marketing Officer strengthens the connection between the company and its institutional partners. Ultimately, Davidson secures the brand's reputation as a trusted advisor in the pursuit of improved student outcomes.

    Joseph DiVirgilio - Community & Technical Colleges Chief of Staff

    Joseph DiVirgilio, the Community & Technical Colleges Chief of Staff at EAB, directs the operational focus on the unique needs of two-year institutions. DiVirgilio oversees the implementation of workforce readiness programs and student retention strategies tailored specifically for community and technical college environments. By coordinating cross-functional teams, the Community & Technical Colleges Chief of Staff ensures that research-backed insights are effectively translated into actionable solutions for these specific educational contexts. This leadership role involves managing the day-to-day execution of initiatives that improve student outcomes and institutional effectiveness within the community college sector. Joseph DiVirgilio drives the alignment of internal resources to support the distinct challenges faced by these institutions. Through the oversight of project workflows and stakeholder communication, the Community & Technical Colleges Chief of Staff facilitates the delivery of customized support. Ultimately, DiVirgilio ensures that the firm's expertise directly benefits the diverse student populations served by these colleges.

    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 the specialized efforts to engage non-traditional students. Hege oversees the creation of recruitment strategies that address the unique barriers faced by adult learners in higher education. By leveraging research on workforce readiness and flexible learning pathways, the Senior Director and Chief of Staff for Adult Learner Recruitment ensures that institutions can effectively serve this growing demographic. This leadership role involves coordinating with internal departments to refine the messaging and support structures necessary for adult learner success. Patricia Hege drives the implementation of targeted programs that improve enrollment outcomes for institutions focusing on adult education. Through the analysis of market data and student behavior, the Senior Director and Chief of Staff for Adult Learner Recruitment optimizes the delivery of recruitment services. Ultimately, Hege ensures that the firm's expertise facilitates broader access to educational opportunities for adult learners.

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

    Robert Long, the Senior Director, Project Management Office Mes Engineering & Chief of Staff at EAB, directs the operational efficiency of engineering projects. Long oversees the project management frameworks that support the development of technical solutions for educational partners. By streamlining workflows and ensuring cross-departmental collaboration, the Senior Director, Project Management Office Mes Engineering & Chief of Staff ensures that engineering initiatives remain aligned with the company's broader research goals. This leadership role involves managing the technical resources required to build and maintain complex educational toolkits. Robert Long drives the execution of engineering projects that enhance the firm's ability to deliver actionable insights to schools and universities. Through the rigorous application of project management methodologies, the Senior Director, Project Management Office Mes Engineering & Chief of Staff maintains high standards of quality and delivery. Ultimately, Long ensures that the engineering team effectively supports the organization's mission of improving institutional effectiveness.

    Ashley Huffman - Managing Director and Chief of Staff, Enroll360

    Ashley Huffman, the Managing Director and Chief of Staff, Enroll360 at EAB, directs the operational strategy for the Enroll360 platform. Huffman oversees the delivery of comprehensive enrollment services that help institutions manage their student pipelines. By integrating data-driven research into the Enroll360 framework, the Managing Director and Chief of Staff, Enroll360 ensures that partners receive actionable guidance for their recruitment efforts. This leadership role involves coordinating with internal teams to refine the service offerings and improve the overall effectiveness of the platform. Ashley Huffman drives the implementation of strategies that support student recruitment and retention across diverse educational environments. Through the management of operational workflows and client support, the Managing Director and Chief of Staff, Enroll360 maintains a focus on achieving measurable enrollment outcomes. Ultimately, Huffman ensures that the Enroll360 platform remains a vital tool for institutions seeking to optimize their enrollment processes and student success.

    Meredith Schatz - Senior Director and Chief of Staff

    Meredith Schatz, the Senior Director and Chief of Staff at EAB, directs the internal operations and strategic coordination of the executive office. Schatz oversees the alignment of organizational priorities with the firm's mission to improve educational outcomes. By facilitating communication across departments, the Senior Director and Chief of Staff ensures that research-backed initiatives are executed with precision and consistency. This leadership role involves managing the operational cadence of the executive team to support the company's collaborative partnership model. Meredith Schatz drives the implementation of internal processes that enhance the firm's ability to provide customized support to schools and universities. Through the oversight of key projects and stakeholder engagement, the Senior Director and Chief of Staff maintains a focus on institutional effectiveness. Ultimately, Schatz ensures that the organization remains agile and responsive to the evolving challenges within the K-12 and higher education sectors.

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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 Lauren Richter (Managing Director, Chief of Staff & President, Enrollment Services).
    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), Lauren Richter (Managing Director, Chief of Staff & President, Enrollment Services) 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, Managing Director, Chief of Staff & President, Enrollment Services, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Marketing Officer.