Ellucian Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Ellucian has 10 executives leading key functions including technology infrastructure, operational efficiency, digital transformation, strategic initiatives, and organizational growth.

Committed to advancing higher education through purpose-built software, Ellucian empowers global institutions to optimize student lifecycles and administrative workflows through integrated, cloud-ready technology solutions.

Leadership Roles at Ellucian

  • Chief of Staff, President & Chief Executive Officer - Lisa Townsend
  • Chief Operating Officer - Kelly Rogan
  • Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Chief Operating Officer - Cindy Martini
  • Chief Information Officer - Charita Matthews
  • Head of Digital Transformation & Chief Information Officer - Victor Valley College - Jared Wallace
  • Chief Information Officer & Executive Director - Jackie Barker-Dennis
  • Chief Information Officer Head of Digital Transformation - LaMica McMillon
  • Chief Information Officer (Brookdale Community College) - George Sotirion
  • Chief Legal Officer - Lisa Gilley
  • Chief People & Marketing Officer - Greg Giangrande
  • Lisa Townsend - Chief of Staff, President & Chief Executive Officer

    Lisa Townsend, the Chief of Staff, President & Chief Executive Officer at Ellucian, coordinates the executive agenda and drives the overarching mission of the organization. Townsend oversees the alignment of corporate strategy with the needs of higher education institutions, ensuring that all departments work toward the common goal of student success. By managing the interface between the leadership team and the board, the Chief of Staff, President & Chief Executive Officer facilitates clear communication and decisive action on critical business initiatives. This leadership role involves fostering a culture of continuous innovation, where software solutions are constantly refined to meet the challenges of a changing academic landscape. Lisa Townsend drives the execution of long-term growth plans, ensuring that the company remains a trusted partner for colleges and universities globally. Through the management of executive operations, the Chief of Staff, President & Chief Executive Officer secures the stability and strategic focus necessary for sustained impact in the education technology sector.
    Lisa Townsend

    Kelly Rogan - Chief Operating Officer

    Kelly Rogan, the Chief Operating Officer at Ellucian, manages the execution of business strategies designed to enhance operational efficiency for colleges and universities. Rogan oversees the delivery of professional services and software implementation, ensuring that institutional partners achieve maximum value from the platform. By aligning internal resources with the evolving needs of the higher education sector, the Chief Operating Officer streamlines administrative processes and improves service delivery models. This leadership role requires close coordination with product development teams to ensure that cloud-ready solutions meet the specific demands of diverse academic environments. Kelly Rogan drives the expansion of operational capabilities, focusing on sustainable growth and long-term institutional support. Through the refinement of service delivery frameworks, the Chief Operating Officer secures consistent performance across global markets, enabling institutions to adapt to modern challenges while maintaining a sharp focus on student outcomes and administrative excellence.
    Kelly Rogan

    Cindy Martini - Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Chief Operating Officer

    Cindy Martini, the Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Chief Operating Officer at Ellucian, leads the development of long-term growth plans and operational improvements for the organization. Martini oversees the execution of high-impact projects that expand the reach of software solutions into new academic markets. By coordinating with executive leadership, the Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Chief Operating Officer ensures that internal processes support the rapid deployment of cloud-ready tools for global partners. This leadership role involves identifying emerging trends in higher education and translating those insights into actionable business strategies. Cindy Martini drives the optimization of organizational workflows, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to support student lifecycle management and alumni engagement. Through the management of strategic initiatives, the Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Chief Operating Officer strengthens the company's market position, enabling institutions to leverage technology for improved outcomes and enhanced administrative performance across diverse geographic regions.

    Charita Matthews - Chief Information Officer

    Charita Matthews, the Chief Information Officer at Ellucian, directs the internal technology architecture and data security frameworks supporting thousands of higher education institutions. Matthews oversees the deployment of cloud-ready software environments, ensuring that administrative tools remain resilient and scalable for global university partners. By managing complex digital ecosystems, the Chief Information Officer facilitates seamless integration across student lifecycle platforms, from recruitment to alumni engagement. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with engineering teams to refine data-driven decision-making capabilities for faculty and staff. Charita Matthews maintains rigorous standards for information governance, protecting sensitive academic records while enabling innovation. Through the optimization of internal IT operations, the Chief Information Officer drives the technical agility required to support diverse learning environments, ultimately ensuring that the software infrastructure remains a reliable foundation for academic success across international markets.
    Charita Matthews

    Jared Wallace - Head of Digital Transformation & Chief Information Officer - Victor Valley College

    Jared Wallace, the Head of Digital Transformation & Chief Information Officer - Victor Valley College at Ellucian, architects comprehensive digital modernization strategies for community college partners. Wallace oversees the transition from legacy administrative systems to integrated, cloud-based platforms that simplify complex enrollment and financial workflows. By focusing on the unique requirements of community-based institutions, the Head of Digital Transformation & Chief Information Officer - Victor Valley College ensures that technology adoption directly improves student retention and faculty productivity. This leadership role involves guiding institutional stakeholders through the complexities of digital change, fostering environments where data-driven insights inform daily operations. Jared Wallace drives the implementation of scalable software tools, ensuring that regional colleges possess the technical capacity to support diverse learner populations. Through the application of advanced digital frameworks, the Head of Digital Transformation & Chief Information Officer - Victor Valley College strengthens the operational foundation of academic institutions, facilitating long-term success in competitive educational landscapes.

    Jackie Barker-Dennis - Chief Information Officer & Executive Director

    Jackie Barker-Dennis, the Chief Information Officer & Executive Director at Ellucian, manages the strategic alignment of information technology with institutional mission objectives. Barker-Dennis oversees the development of specialized software modules that address the specific administrative hurdles faced by higher education leaders. By directing the integration of analytics and finance tools, the Chief Information Officer & Executive Director ensures that university staff possess the necessary data to make informed decisions regarding student success. This leadership role involves managing cross-functional teams to deliver robust, secure, and user-friendly technology experiences. Jackie Barker-Dennis drives the adoption of innovative software practices, focusing on the intersection of administrative efficiency and academic excellence. Through the oversight of critical digital initiatives, the Chief Information Officer & Executive Director supports the modernization of campus operations, ensuring that institutions remain responsive to the needs of students and faculty while maintaining high standards of operational integrity.

    LaMica McMillon - Chief Information Officer Head of Digital Transformation

    LaMica McMillon, the Chief Information Officer Head of Digital Transformation at Ellucian, directs the modernization of core software platforms to better serve the evolving needs of higher education. McMillon oversees the migration of administrative functions to cloud-native environments, ensuring that institutions benefit from increased flexibility and data accessibility. By focusing on the digital transformation of student recruitment and enrollment tools, the Chief Information Officer Head of Digital Transformation enables colleges to attract and retain learners more effectively. This leadership role involves managing the technical roadmap for software innovation, ensuring that all solutions remain at the forefront of educational technology. LaMica McMillon drives the integration of advanced analytics, providing institutions with the capability to track student progress and optimize financial performance. Through the leadership of digital transformation efforts, the Chief Information Officer Head of Digital Transformation ensures that the company provides the essential tools required for modern academic success.

    George Sotirion - Chief Information Officer (Brookdale Community College)

    George Sotirion, the Chief Information Officer (Brookdale Community College) at Ellucian, manages the technical implementation of software solutions tailored for community college environments. Sotirion oversees the deployment of administrative platforms that support student lifecycle management, from initial enrollment to graduation. By focusing on the specific operational requirements of community-based institutions, the Chief Information Officer (Brookdale Community College) ensures that technology tools are both accessible and effective for diverse student populations. This leadership role involves collaborating with campus stakeholders to optimize data-driven decision-making and administrative efficiency. George Sotirion drives the adoption of cloud-ready infrastructure, providing the technical foundation necessary for modern academic operations. Through the oversight of IT initiatives, the Chief Information Officer (Brookdale Community College) supports the mission of community colleges to provide quality education, ensuring that software solutions remain aligned with the goals of student retention and institutional growth in regional markets.
    Lisa Gilley, the Chief Legal Officer at Ellucian, manages the legal and regulatory frameworks governing the company's global software operations. Gilley oversees compliance with data privacy standards and intellectual property protections, ensuring that all technology solutions meet the rigorous requirements of higher education institutions. By providing legal guidance on strategic partnerships and international expansion, the Chief Legal Officer mitigates risk while enabling the company to pursue new growth opportunities. This leadership role involves collaborating with executive teams to navigate the complex regulatory landscape of the education technology sector. Lisa Gilley drives the development of robust governance policies, protecting the interests of both the organization and its university partners. Through the management of legal affairs, the Chief Legal Officer ensures that the company maintains the highest standards of integrity and accountability, providing a secure foundation for the delivery of innovative software services to colleges and universities worldwide.
    Lisa Gilley

    Greg Giangrande - Chief People & Marketing Officer

    Greg Giangrande, the Chief People & Marketing Officer at Ellucian, directs the human capital strategy and brand positioning for the organization. Giangrande oversees the recruitment and development of talent, ensuring that the company maintains the expertise required to innovate in the higher education technology space. By managing the marketing and communications functions, the Chief People & Marketing Officer promotes the value of cloud-ready software solutions to institutions globally. This leadership role involves aligning internal culture with the company's mission of supporting student success and administrative excellence. Greg Giangrande drives the development of brand narratives that resonate with academic leaders, highlighting the impact of integrated technology on institutional outcomes. Through the management of people and marketing initiatives, the Chief People & Marketing Officer strengthens the company's reputation as a leader in the education sector, ensuring that the organization attracts the best talent and maintains strong relationships with its diverse client base.
    Greg Giangrande

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Ellucian Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Ellucian?
    Ellucian is led by Lisa Townsend (Chief of Staff, President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Kelly Rogan (Chief Operating Officer) and Cindy Martini (Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Ellucian’s executive team?
    The executive team of Ellucian includes leaders such as Lisa Townsend (Chief of Staff, President & Chief Executive Officer), Kelly Rogan (Chief Operating Officer), Cindy Martini (Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Ellucian have?
    Ellucian has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Ellucian’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Ellucian includes roles such as Chief of Staff, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Chief Operating Officer, Chief Information Officer, Head of Digital Transformation & Chief Information Officer - Victor Valley College.