Pratt Institute Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

Pratt Institute has 6 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, information technology, academic leadership, virtual reality design, academic governance, and community engagement.

Committed to fostering creative excellence, Pratt Institute empowers students through rigorous academic programs in architecture, design, and technology to drive meaningful global impact.

Leadership Roles at Pratt Institute

  • Chief Financial Officer - Edmund Rutkowski
  • President - Frances Bronet
  • President, Virtual Reality Design Society - Gurmani Kaur
  • Academic Senate Co-President - Zachary Slanger
  • President, Community Engagement Board - Lorraine Yang
  • Vice President, Technology & Chief Information Officer - Joseph Hemway
  • Edmund Rutkowski - Chief Financial Officer

    Edmund Rutkowski, the Chief Financial Officer at Pratt Institute, directs all fiscal operations and long-term budgetary planning. Overseeing the allocation of institutional resources, the Chief Financial Officer ensures financial sustainability across all academic departments. This leadership role involves managing complex endowment portfolios and optimizing operational expenditures to support the growth of creative programs. By implementing robust financial controls, Edmund Rutkowski directly impacts the ability of the institution to provide high-quality education in architecture and design. Rutkowski maintains rigorous oversight of capital projects, ensuring alignment with the broader mission of the institute. Through strategic financial modeling, the Chief Financial Officer secures the necessary funding to advance research initiatives and infrastructure improvements. Ultimately, Rutkowski stabilizes the economic foundation required for students and faculty to thrive within the competitive landscape of higher education.

    Frances Bronet - President

    Frances Bronet, the President at Pratt Institute, drives the overarching academic vision and institutional strategy. Overseeing the alignment of undergraduate and graduate programs with industry standards, the President ensures the delivery of a world-class education in architecture, design, and fine arts. This leadership role involves fostering partnerships with global creative organizations and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across the campus community. By championing innovative pedagogical approaches, Frances Bronet directly impacts the success of students entering the professional world. Bronet coordinates with the Board of Trustees to advance the long-term mission of the institute. Through the promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration, the President cultivates an environment where technology and art intersect to solve complex problems. Ultimately, Bronet secures the reputation of the institution as a leader in creative education and professional development.

    Gurmani Kaur - President, Virtual Reality Design Society

    Gurmani Kaur, the President, Virtual Reality Design Society at Pratt Institute, directs the integration of immersive technologies into the creative curriculum. Overseeing the development of virtual reality workshops and collaborative design projects, the President, Virtual Reality Design Society ensures students gain proficiency in cutting-edge digital tools. This leadership role involves bridging the gap between traditional fine arts and emerging technological platforms. By facilitating cross-departmental research, Gurmani Kaur directly impacts the adoption of new media within the academic community. Kaur manages the society's outreach efforts to connect students with industry leaders in the virtual reality space. Through the promotion of experimental design, the President, Virtual Reality Design Society expands the creative boundaries of the institute. Ultimately, Kaur drives the advancement of digital storytelling and interactive design, preparing graduates for the future of the creative industry.

    Zachary Slanger - Academic Senate Co-President

    Zachary Slanger, the Academic Senate Co-President at Pratt Institute, directs the governance processes that shape academic policy and faculty standards. Overseeing the collaborative efforts between faculty and administration, the Academic Senate Co-President ensures that educational quality remains the primary focus of institutional decision-making. This leadership role involves reviewing curriculum proposals and advocating for the professional needs of the teaching staff. By facilitating open dialogue within the senate, Zachary Slanger directly impacts the academic culture and policy framework of the institute. Slanger manages the coordination of committee activities to address evolving challenges in higher education. Through the promotion of shared governance, the Academic Senate Co-President maintains the integrity of the academic mission. Ultimately, Slanger supports the development of a robust learning environment where faculty can effectively mentor the next generation of creative leaders.

    Lorraine Yang - President, Community Engagement Board

    Lorraine Yang, the President, Community Engagement Board at Pratt Institute, directs initiatives that connect the institution with the broader public and local neighborhoods. Overseeing outreach programs and community-based design projects, the President, Community Engagement Board ensures that the creative work produced on campus provides tangible benefits to the surrounding region. This leadership role involves building partnerships with local organizations to foster social impact and civic responsibility. By coordinating volunteer efforts and public exhibitions, Lorraine Yang directly impacts the relationship between the institute and the community. Yang manages the board's strategic planning to ensure that diversity and inclusion remain central to all engagement activities. Through the promotion of collaborative projects, the President, Community Engagement Board enhances the visibility and social relevance of the institute. Ultimately, Yang drives the mission of using creative knowledge to make a positive impact in the world.

    Joseph Hemway - Vice President, Technology & Chief Information Officer

    Joseph Hemway, the Vice President, Technology & Chief Information Officer at Pratt Institute, architects the digital infrastructure supporting modern creative education. Overseeing campus-wide network security and academic software integration, the Vice President, Technology & Chief Information Officer ensures seamless access to advanced design tools. This leadership role involves modernizing classroom technology to facilitate innovation in fine arts and technology disciplines. By deploying scalable cloud solutions, Joseph Hemway directly impacts the efficiency of administrative and academic workflows. Hemway manages the implementation of data-driven systems that enhance student engagement and faculty research capabilities. Through the oversight of digital transformation projects, the Vice President, Technology & Chief Information Officer maintains the technological edge necessary for a premier creative institution. Ultimately, Hemway drives the digital evolution of the campus environment to meet the demands of a globalized creative economy.
    Joseph Hemway

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Pratt Institute Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Pratt Institute?
    Pratt Institute is led by Edmund Rutkowski (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Frances Bronet (President) and Gurmani Kaur (President, Virtual Reality Design Society).
    Who is part of Pratt Institute’s executive team?
    The executive team of Pratt Institute includes leaders such as Edmund Rutkowski (Chief Financial Officer), Frances Bronet (President), Gurmani Kaur (President, Virtual Reality Design Society) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Pratt Institute have?
    Pratt Institute has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Pratt Institute’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Pratt Institute includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, President, President, Virtual Reality Design Society, Academic Senate Co-President, President, Community Engagement Board.