Ellucian Executive and Leadership Team

June, 2026

Leadership Overview

Ellucian has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, operations, technology, and staff support.

Driven by a commitment to higher education, Ellucian empowers institutions worldwide with purpose-built software and services, fostering innovation and student success through integrated, cloud-ready solutions.

Leadership Roles at Ellucian

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Laura Ipsen
  • Chief of Staff, President & Chief Executive Officer - Lisa Townsend
  • Chief Financial Officer - Harshan Bhangdia
  • Chief Operating Officer - Kelly Rogan
  • Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Chief Operating Officer - Cindy Martini
  • Chief Information Officer - Charita Johnson
  • Chief Information Officer (Brookdale Community College) - George Sotirion
  • Executive Director & Chief Information Officer - Ellucian - Rebecca Archer
  • Chief Information Officer & Executive Director - Jackie Barker-Dennis
  • Chief Technology Officer, Dot Com Startup - Paul Feighan
  • Laura Ipsen - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Laura Ipsen, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Ellucian, directs the company's overall strategy and operational execution, guiding Ellucian's mission to power innovation in higher education. Ipsen oversees the development and delivery of purpose-built software and services that enhance institutional effectiveness and student success across thousands of colleges and universities globally. This leadership involves driving the company's vision for cloud-ready solutions, encompassing the entire student lifecycle from recruitment through alumni engagement. By fostering deep partnerships with educational institutions, Ipsen ensures Ellucian's platform addresses unique sector needs, simplifying administrative processes and enabling data-driven decision-making. The focus remains on supporting institutions as they navigate evolving challenges and improve learner outcomes worldwide. Under Ipsen's guidance, the company maintains its commitment to continuous innovation, adapting its offerings to meet the dynamic demands of the global higher education landscape. Laura Ipsen champions a culture of collaboration and forward-thinking, positioning Ellucian as a critical technology partner for academic institutions.
    Laura Ipsen

    Lisa Townsend - Chief of Staff, President & Chief Executive Officer

    Lisa Townsend, the Chief of Staff, President & Chief Executive Officer at Ellucian, provides strategic support and operational coordination for the company's top executive leadership. Townsend manages key initiatives, facilitates communication across departments, and ensures the efficient execution of the President & CEO's strategic priorities. This role involves acting as a key liaison between the CEO and other executive team members, as well as external stakeholders, to drive alignment and progress on critical business objectives. The Chief of Staff's responsibilities include preparing for executive meetings, managing special projects, and ensuring that the CEO's time is optimized for maximum strategic impact. Lisa Townsend's contributions are vital in supporting Ellucian's mission to empower higher education institutions globally. Townsend ensures that the company's leadership operates cohesively and effectively, driving innovation and supporting student success.
    Lisa Townsend

    Harshan Bhangdia - Chief Financial Officer

    Harshan Bhangdia, the Chief Financial Officer at Ellucian, directs the company's financial strategy, planning, and management, ensuring fiscal health and sustainable growth. Bhangdia oversees all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and investor relations, providing critical insights to guide strategic decision-making. This leadership role involves managing financial risks, optimizing capital allocation, and driving profitability across Ellucian's global operations. By maintaining rigorous financial discipline, the Chief Financial Officer supports the company's mission to deliver innovative technology solutions to higher education institutions worldwide. Harshan Bhangdia's expertise is crucial in navigating the complex financial landscape of the technology sector and ensuring Ellucian's long-term viability. The CFO's responsibilities extend to enhancing shareholder value and ensuring compliance with all financial regulations. Bhangdia's strategic financial stewardship enables Ellucian to invest in research and development, expand its market reach, and continue its commitment to supporting student success.
    Harshan Bhangdia

    Kelly Rogan - Chief Operating Officer

    Kelly Rogan, the Chief Operating Officer at Ellucian, oversees the company's day-to-day operational functions, ensuring seamless execution of business strategies and service delivery. Rogan manages critical operational areas, including customer support, implementation services, and internal process optimization, driving efficiency and effectiveness across the organization. This leadership role focuses on enhancing the client experience and ensuring that Ellucian's purpose-built software and services are delivered with the highest standards of quality and reliability. By streamlining operations and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, the Chief Operating Officer supports Ellucian's commitment to empowering higher education institutions globally. Kelly Rogan's operational expertise is vital in managing the complexities of a global technology company serving the unique needs of the education sector. Rogan ensures that Ellucian's operational framework effectively supports its mission to drive innovation and student success through technology.
    Kelly Rogan

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

    Cindy Martini, the Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Chief Operating Officer at Ellucian, drives key strategic projects and oversees critical operational aspects of the company. Martini leads initiatives designed to foster innovation and enhance Ellucian's market position within the higher education technology sector. This dual role involves identifying new opportunities for growth and ensuring the efficient execution of strategic plans across various departments. By focusing on strategic development and operational excellence, Martini contributes significantly to Ellucian's mission of empowering institutions worldwide. The Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Chief Operating Officer works closely with other executive leaders to align strategic goals with operational capabilities. Cindy Martini's leadership ensures that Ellucian remains at the forefront of technological advancements, supporting student success and institutional effectiveness through carefully planned and executed initiatives.

    Charita Johnson - Chief Information Officer

    Charita Johnson, the Chief Information Officer at Ellucian, manages the company's internal technology infrastructure and information systems, ensuring robust and secure operations. Johnson oversees the strategic planning and implementation of IT solutions that support Ellucian's global business objectives and enhance operational efficiency. This role involves safeguarding sensitive data, optimizing system performance, and driving technological advancements across the organization. By aligning IT initiatives with the company's broader goals, Johnson ensures that Ellucian's technological backbone effectively supports its mission of empowering higher education institutions. The Chief Information Officer's responsibilities include managing IT budgets, leading the IT department, and fostering innovation within the technology function. Johnson's leadership ensures that Ellucian's internal systems are scalable, reliable, and capable of supporting the company's growth and its commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions to clients worldwide. This critical function underpins Ellucian's ability to deliver on its promises to the higher education sector.

    George Sotirion - Chief Information Officer (Brookdale Community College)

    George Sotirion, the Chief Information Officer (Brookdale Community College) at Ellucian, provides specialized expertise in information technology leadership within the higher education context. Sotirion focuses on leveraging technology to enhance institutional operations and student outcomes, drawing on extensive experience in academic IT environments. This role involves understanding the specific challenges and opportunities faced by community colleges, ensuring that technology solutions are tailored to meet these unique needs. Sotirion's contributions support Ellucian's broader mission by offering insights into the practical application of its software and services within educational settings. The Chief Information Officer's perspective is invaluable in refining Ellucian's offerings to better serve institutions like Brookdale Community College. George Sotirion's leadership ensures that technology serves as a catalyst for educational advancement and operational excellence within the institutions Ellucian partners with.

    Rebecca Archer - Executive Director & Chief Information Officer - Ellucian

    Rebecca Archer, the Executive Director & Chief Information Officer - Ellucian at Ellucian, leads the company's internal technology strategy and execution, ensuring robust IT infrastructure and systems. Archer oversees the management of information resources, driving digital transformation initiatives that support Ellucian's global operations and its commitment to higher education innovation. This role involves ensuring the security, reliability, and scalability of Ellucian's technology platforms, which are critical for delivering purpose-built software and services to thousands of institutions worldwide. The Chief Information Officer's responsibilities include aligning IT capabilities with business objectives, fostering a culture of technological excellence, and managing the IT department's budget and resources. Rebecca Archer's leadership ensures that Ellucian's internal technology environment effectively supports its mission to enhance student success and institutional effectiveness. Archer's focus is on leveraging technology to streamline processes and enable data-driven decision-making across the organization.
    Rebecca Archer

    Jackie Barker-Dennis - Chief Information Officer & Executive Director

    Jackie Barker-Dennis, the Chief Information Officer & Executive Director at Ellucian, directs the company's information technology strategy and oversees key operational functions. Barker-Dennis is responsible for managing Ellucian's technology infrastructure, ensuring the security and integrity of its systems, and driving the implementation of innovative IT solutions. This leadership position involves aligning technology initiatives with the company's overarching goals of supporting higher education institutions and enhancing student success. The Chief Information Officer & Executive Director plays a crucial role in optimizing internal processes and supporting the delivery of Ellucian's purpose-built software and services. Jackie Barker-Dennis's expertise ensures that Ellucian's technological capabilities remain robust and responsive to the evolving needs of the education sector. Barker-Dennis focuses on leveraging technology to drive efficiency and foster a culture of continuous improvement within the organization.

    Paul Feighan - Chief Technology Officer, Dot Com Startup

    Paul Feighan, the Chief Technology Officer, Dot Com Startup at Ellucian, leads the technological vision and development for new digital ventures within the company. Feighan oversees the architecture, engineering, and deployment of innovative technology solutions for emerging online platforms, focusing on scalability and user experience. This role involves driving the technical strategy for startup initiatives, ensuring they align with Ellucian's broader mission to support higher education through cutting-edge technology. The Chief Technology Officer's responsibilities include managing development teams, evaluating new technologies, and ensuring the successful launch and growth of digital products. Paul Feighan's leadership is critical in fostering innovation and exploring new avenues for Ellucian to serve the global education community. Feighan's focus is on building robust, future-ready technology that enhances learning and institutional operations.

    Explore Leadership Teams in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Ellucian Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Ellucian?
    Ellucian is led by Laura Ipsen (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Lisa Townsend (Chief of Staff, President & Chief Executive Officer) and Harshan Bhangdia (Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Ellucian’s executive team?
    The executive team of Ellucian includes leaders such as Laura Ipsen (President & Chief Executive Officer), Lisa Townsend (Chief of Staff, President & Chief Executive Officer), Harshan Bhangdia (Chief Financial 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 President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief of Staff, President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Chief Operating Officer.