Nelnet Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Nelnet has 7 executives leading key functions including operations, technology, capital markets, finance, administration, insurance, and business services.

Focused on delivering diverse financial and educational solutions, Nelnet empowers institutions and residents through advanced payment technology, fiber connectivity, and comprehensive student loan support services.

Leadership Roles at Nelnet

  • Division Chief Financial Officer, Renewables Construction - Chad Hartnett
  • Chief Operating Officer - Terry Heimes
  • President, Nelnet Insurance Services - Tom Massey
  • President, Nelnet Business Services - DeeAnn Wenger
  • Chief Technology Officer, Nelnet Business Services - Danielle Egr
  • Capital Markets Chief of Staff - Liz Eberle
  • Managing Director, Chief of Staff - Natalie Artibee
  • Chad Hartnett - Division Chief Financial Officer, Renewables Construction

    Chad Hartnett, the Division Chief Financial Officer, Renewables Construction at Nelnet, oversees the financial health of renewable energy infrastructure projects. Managing budgetary controls and investment analysis, the Division Chief Financial Officer, Renewables Construction ensures the profitability of construction initiatives. This leadership role involves evaluating the financial viability of large-scale energy projects to support the company's diversification efforts. By monitoring project costs and revenue streams, Chad Hartnett maintains fiscal discipline across the division. The Division Chief Financial Officer, Renewables Construction collaborates with project managers to optimize resource utilization and project timelines. Through strategic financial planning, Hartnett supports the expansion of the company's footprint in the renewable sector. This position requires precise forecasting and risk assessment to ensure long-term project success. Ultimately, Hartnett drives the financial performance of the renewables division, contributing to the overall growth and sustainability of the company's diverse business portfolio.

    Terry Heimes - Chief Operating Officer

    Terry Heimes, the Chief Operating Officer at Nelnet, directs the internal infrastructure supporting student loan servicing and regional fiber internet operations. Overseeing cross-functional workflows, the Chief Operating Officer ensures operational efficiency across the Nebraska and Colorado markets. This leadership role involves scaling internal processes to accommodate the needs of over 1,300 higher education institutions. By optimizing resource allocation, Terry Heimes maintains the stability of core service delivery systems. The Chief Operating Officer collaborates with the executive team to align operational output with long-term corporate growth objectives. Through rigorous oversight of daily business activities, Heimes guarantees that service quality remains consistent for all educational partners. This position requires constant monitoring of performance metrics to drive continuous improvement in service delivery. Ultimately, Heimes secures the operational foundation necessary for the company to provide reliable payment technology and telecommunications services to a vast customer base.

    Tom Massey - President, Nelnet Insurance Services

    Tom Massey, the President, Nelnet Insurance Services at Nelnet, directs the growth and service delivery of insurance products tailored to educational and business clients. Overseeing the development of insurance solutions, the President, Nelnet Insurance Services ensures that offerings meet the evolving needs of the market. This leadership role involves expanding the reach of insurance services to complement the company's existing financial and technology platforms. By managing relationships with key partners, Tom Massey drives the performance of the insurance division. The President, Nelnet Insurance Services coordinates with other business leaders to integrate insurance products into the broader service ecosystem. Through the implementation of customer-focused strategies, Massey enhances the value proposition for clients seeking comprehensive financial protection. This position requires a focus on regulatory compliance and market expansion to ensure sustainable growth. Ultimately, Massey secures the success of the insurance division by delivering trusted expertise and reliable coverage solutions.

    DeeAnn Wenger - President, Nelnet Business Services

    DeeAnn Wenger, the President, Nelnet Business Services at Nelnet, leads the delivery of payment technology and administrative solutions for higher education and K-12 institutions. Managing the strategic direction of the business services division, the President, Nelnet Business Services drives the adoption of cutting-edge technology across the education sector. This leadership role involves overseeing the expansion of services that help institutions boost their operational performance. By fostering innovation in payment processing, DeeAnn Wenger ensures that the company remains a trusted partner for thousands of schools. The President, Nelnet Business Services collaborates with technology and sales teams to deliver solutions that simplify complex administrative tasks. Through a focus on customer success, Wenger maintains high levels of satisfaction among institutional clients. This position requires a deep understanding of the educational landscape to anticipate and address the changing needs of schools. Ultimately, Wenger secures the company's position as a leader in educational business services.

    Danielle Egr - Chief Technology Officer, Nelnet Business Services

    Danielle Egr, the Chief Technology Officer, Nelnet Business Services at Nelnet, architects the digital platforms powering payment solutions for 11,500 K-12 schools. Managing the software development lifecycle, the Chief Technology Officer, Nelnet Business Services drives innovation in financial technology products. This leadership role involves integrating secure payment gateways into existing institutional frameworks to boost business performance. By overseeing technical teams, Danielle Egr ensures the reliability and scalability of digital infrastructure across diverse educational environments. The Chief Technology Officer, Nelnet Business Services coordinates with product managers to translate market needs into functional technical requirements. Through the implementation of cutting-edge technology, Egr enhances the user experience for schools and families alike. This role demands a focus on cybersecurity and data integrity to protect sensitive financial information. Ultimately, Egr maintains the technological edge required to support the company's mission of simplifying complex financial transactions for educational institutions.

    Liz Eberle - Capital Markets Chief of Staff

    Liz Eberle, the Capital Markets Chief of Staff at Nelnet, manages strategic financial initiatives related to private student loan and refinance solutions. Coordinating between the capital markets division and executive leadership, the Capital Markets Chief of Staff ensures alignment with broader corporate financial goals. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends to optimize funding strategies for educational lending products. By facilitating communication across departments, Liz Eberle streamlines the execution of complex financial projects. The Capital Markets Chief of Staff supports the development of long-term capital structures that enable the company to help borrowers achieve educational goals. Through rigorous data analysis and project management, Eberle drives the efficiency of financial operations. This position requires a deep understanding of the lending landscape to mitigate risks and identify growth opportunities. Ultimately, Eberle secures the financial agility needed to sustain the company's competitive position in the student loan market.

    Natalie Artibee - Managing Director, Chief of Staff

    Natalie Artibee, the Managing Director, Chief of Staff at Nelnet, facilitates executive decision-making and organizational alignment across all business units. Coordinating strategic priorities, the Managing Director, Chief of Staff ensures that departmental goals support the company's mission of providing world-class services. This leadership role involves managing high-level projects that impact the entire organization, from fiber internet services to student loan solutions. By streamlining communication between the C-suite and operational teams, Natalie Artibee enhances organizational agility. The Managing Director, Chief of Staff monitors progress on key initiatives to ensure timely execution of corporate objectives. Through the synthesis of complex information, Artibee provides the executive team with actionable insights for strategic planning. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of the company's diverse operations to effectively manage cross-functional dependencies. Ultimately, Artibee secures the operational cohesion necessary for the company to maintain its market leadership in education and technology.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Nelnet Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Nelnet?
    Nelnet is led by Chad Hartnett (Division Chief Financial Officer, Renewables Construction), along with executives such as Terry Heimes (Chief Operating Officer) and Tom Massey (President, Nelnet Insurance Services).
    Who is part of Nelnet’s executive team?
    The executive team of Nelnet includes leaders such as Chad Hartnett (Division Chief Financial Officer, Renewables Construction), Terry Heimes (Chief Operating Officer), Tom Massey (President, Nelnet Insurance Services) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Nelnet have?
    Nelnet has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Nelnet’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Nelnet includes roles such as Division Chief Financial Officer, Renewables Construction, Chief Operating Officer, President, Nelnet Insurance Services, President, Nelnet Business Services, Chief Technology Officer, Nelnet Business Services.