Stanford University Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

Stanford University has 10 executives leading key functions including administrative operations, financial management, strategic planning, technology infrastructure, and human resources.

Renowned for interdisciplinary research and entrepreneurial spirit, Stanford University advances global knowledge through rigorous academic inquiry and innovative problem-solving across diverse fields of study.

Leadership Roles at Stanford University

  • Chief Financial Officer & Administrator - Tracy McClain
  • Director, Venture Fund and Financial Analysis, Office of the Chief Financial Officer - Jiayan Zhao
  • Vice President, Ambulatory Services of Faculty Practices & Chief Operating Officer, Packard Children's Health Alliance - Kristina Gostic
  • Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Athletics Director - Tyler Jones
  • Chief of Staff - Amanda Leland
  • Director, Strategic Initiatives & Chief of Staff - Sarah Pokorny
  • Deputy Manager, Information Technology Departmental Services (Itds) & Chief Information Officer, Office of - Nicholas Arias
  • Office of Development Chief of Staff - Irene Ibidapo
  • Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer - Marcie Atchison
  • Chief Technology Officer & Co-Founder - Maruti Didwania
  • Tracy McClain - Chief Financial Officer & Administrator

    Tracy McClain, the Chief Financial Officer & Administrator at Stanford University, manages the fiscal health and administrative infrastructure of the institution. Overseeing long-term financial planning, the Chief Financial Officer & Administrator directs resource allocation to support interdisciplinary research initiatives. McClain evaluates budgetary requirements across various departments to ensure sustainable growth. This leadership role involves implementing rigorous financial controls to maintain institutional integrity. By analyzing economic trends, McClain optimizes funding strategies for academic programs. The Chief Financial Officer & Administrator collaborates with university leadership to align fiscal policies with the overarching mission of innovation. Through careful management of assets, McClain secures the resources needed for cutting-edge scientific and humanities projects. This position demands precise oversight of complex financial systems to support the university's global impact. Ultimately, McClain ensures the financial stability required for continued academic leadership.

    Jiayan Zhao - Director, Venture Fund and Financial Analysis, Office of the Chief Financial Officer

    Jiayan Zhao, the Director, Venture Fund and Financial Analysis, Office of the Chief Financial Officer at Stanford University, manages investment portfolios and conducts deep financial modeling to support institutional growth. Overseeing venture fund activities, the Director, Venture Fund and Financial Analysis, Office of the Chief Financial Officer evaluates high-impact opportunities that align with the university's entrepreneurial legacy. Zhao performs detailed quantitative analysis to assess the viability of new financial ventures. This role involves providing actionable insights to the Chief Financial Officer to guide capital allocation strategies. By monitoring market dynamics, Zhao identifies trends that influence the university's long-term financial health. The Director, Venture Fund and Financial Analysis, Office of the Chief Financial Officer collaborates with internal teams to ensure rigorous risk management. Through precise financial reporting, Zhao maintains transparency in investment performance. This position requires sophisticated analytical skills to navigate complex economic landscapes. Ultimately, Zhao drives financial innovation to support academic research.

    Kristina Gostic - Vice President, Ambulatory Services of Faculty Practices & Chief Operating Officer, Packard Children's Health Alliance

    Kristina Gostic, the Vice President, Ambulatory Services of Faculty Practices & Chief Operating Officer, Packard Children's Health Alliance at Stanford University, manages clinical operations and patient care delivery systems. Overseeing the expansion of ambulatory services, the Vice President, Ambulatory Services of Faculty Practices & Chief Operating Officer, Packard Children's Health Alliance ensures that faculty practices operate with maximum efficiency. Gostic coordinates with medical leadership to integrate research-driven care into clinical settings. This role involves optimizing patient workflows to improve health outcomes across the region. By implementing operational improvements, Gostic enhances the quality of service provided by the health alliance. The Vice President, Ambulatory Services of Faculty Practices & Chief Operating Officer, Packard Children's Health Alliance monitors performance metrics to ensure compliance with healthcare standards. Through strategic management, Gostic supports the clinical mission of the university. This position requires balancing complex medical requirements with administrative excellence. Ultimately, Gostic drives operational success in the healthcare sector.
    Kristina Gostic

    Tyler Jones - Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Athletics Director

    Tyler Jones, the Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Athletics Director at Stanford University, manages the operational logistics of the athletics department and broader campus facilities. Overseeing the integration of athletic programs with academic life, the Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Athletics Director ensures that student-athletes receive comprehensive support. Jones directs the maintenance and development of sports infrastructure to meet high performance standards. This role involves coordinating with university leadership to align athletic operations with institutional values. By optimizing facility usage, Jones enhances the experience for the entire campus community. The Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Athletics Director monitors budgetary performance to ensure fiscal responsibility within the department. Through strategic planning, Jones expands the reach and impact of athletic initiatives. This position requires balancing the demands of competitive sports with the university's academic mission. Ultimately, Jones drives operational excellence to support the success of student-athletes and the broader university.
    Tyler Jones

    Amanda Leland - Chief of Staff

    Amanda Leland, the Chief of Staff at Stanford University, coordinates high-level administrative workflows to support institutional objectives. Managing complex communication channels between departments, the Chief of Staff ensures alignment with the broader mission of academic excellence. Leland facilitates executive decision-making processes by synthesizing data from various research divisions. This role involves streamlining operational protocols to enhance efficiency across the university campus. By fostering collaboration among faculty and administrative leaders, the Chief of Staff maintains organizational cohesion. Leland monitors progress on key university projects, ensuring timely execution of strategic goals. Through meticulous oversight of internal operations, the Chief of Staff contributes to the stability of the institution. This position requires constant engagement with diverse stakeholders to address evolving needs within the academic community. Ultimately, Leland strengthens the administrative foundation necessary for world-class research and teaching.

    Sarah Pokorny - Director, Strategic Initiatives & Chief of Staff

    Sarah Pokorny, the Director, Strategic Initiatives & Chief of Staff at Stanford University, architects long-term planning frameworks to advance institutional goals. Driving cross-functional collaboration, the Director, Strategic Initiatives & Chief of Staff aligns departmental efforts with the university's core mission of research excellence. Pokorny monitors the implementation of key projects, ensuring measurable progress toward strategic milestones. This role involves synthesizing complex information to guide executive leadership in making informed decisions. By identifying emerging opportunities for interdisciplinary growth, Pokorny enhances the university's competitive position. The Director, Strategic Initiatives & Chief of Staff manages internal communications to maintain transparency and focus across the organization. Through rigorous analysis of operational performance, Pokorny optimizes resource utilization. This position requires deep engagement with academic and administrative units to foster a culture of innovation. Ultimately, Pokorny secures the strategic alignment necessary for sustained institutional success.

    Nicholas Arias - Deputy Manager, Information Technology Departmental Services (Itds) & Chief Information Officer, Office of

    Nicholas Arias, the Deputy Manager, Information Technology Departmental Services (Itds) & Chief Information Officer, Office of at Stanford University, directs the digital infrastructure and technological strategy of the institution. Overseeing the deployment of advanced computing resources, the Deputy Manager, Information Technology Departmental Services (Itds) & Chief Information Officer, Office of ensures that research teams have access to robust data systems. Arias manages the integration of new technologies to support interdisciplinary collaboration across campus. This role involves securing the university's digital assets against evolving cyber threats. By optimizing IT service delivery, Arias enhances the efficiency of administrative and academic operations. The Deputy Manager, Information Technology Departmental Services (Itds) & Chief Information Officer, Office of leads initiatives to modernize legacy systems, fostering a culture of digital innovation. Through strategic planning, Arias aligns technology investments with the university's mission. This position requires constant vigilance to maintain high-performance computing environments. Ultimately, Arias provides the technological foundation for global research leadership.
    Nicholas Arias

    Irene Ibidapo - Office of Development Chief of Staff

    Irene Ibidapo, the Office of Development Chief of Staff at Stanford University, coordinates fundraising strategies and donor relations to support the university's mission. Overseeing the operational activities of the development office, the Office of Development Chief of Staff ensures that philanthropic efforts align with institutional priorities. Ibidapo facilitates communication between development teams and university leadership to maximize engagement. This role involves managing complex projects that expand the university's resource base. By analyzing donor data, Ibidapo identifies opportunities for sustainable financial support. The Office of Development Chief of Staff streamlines internal processes to improve the efficiency of outreach campaigns. Through strategic planning, Ibidapo fosters strong relationships with alumni and partners. This position requires a deep understanding of the university's academic goals to effectively communicate the value of research and teaching. Ultimately, Ibidapo secures the necessary funding to drive innovation and maintain the university's status as a leading research institution.

    Marcie Atchison - Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer

    Marcie Atchison, the Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer at Stanford University, directs talent acquisition, employee development, and organizational culture initiatives. Overseeing the human capital strategy, the Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the university attracts and retains world-class faculty and staff. Atchison implements policies that foster an inclusive and productive work environment. This role involves managing complex labor relations and compensation structures to support institutional goals. By designing professional development programs, Atchison enhances the capabilities of the workforce. The Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer collaborates with leadership to align human resources practices with the university's mission of academic excellence. Through strategic workforce planning, Atchison addresses the evolving needs of the campus community. This position requires a deep commitment to supporting the diverse talent that drives research and teaching. Ultimately, Atchison builds the organizational strength necessary for long-term success.
    Marcie Atchison

    Maruti Didwania - Chief Technology Officer & Co-Founder

    Maruti Didwania, the Chief Technology Officer & Co-Founder at Stanford University, architects the technological vision and innovation roadmap for the institution. Driving the development of cutting-edge digital tools, the Chief Technology Officer & Co-Founder ensures that research initiatives leverage the latest advancements in computing. Didwania oversees the creation of scalable software solutions to support interdisciplinary problem-solving. This role involves collaborating with faculty to translate research concepts into functional technology. By fostering an environment of technical experimentation, Didwania accelerates the pace of discovery. The Chief Technology Officer & Co-Founder manages the implementation of complex systems that enhance academic productivity. Through strategic partnerships, Didwania integrates external technological advancements into the university's ecosystem. This position requires a deep understanding of both academic needs and emerging tech trends. Ultimately, Didwania provides the technical leadership necessary to maintain the university's position at the forefront of global innovation.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Stanford University Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Stanford University?
    Stanford University is led by Tracy McClain (Chief Financial Officer & Administrator), along with executives such as Jiayan Zhao (Director, Venture Fund and Financial Analysis, Office of the Chief Financial Officer) and Kristina Gostic (Vice President, Ambulatory Services of Faculty Practices & Chief Operating Officer, Packard Children's Health Alliance).
    Who is part of Stanford University’s executive team?
    The executive team of Stanford University includes leaders such as Tracy McClain (Chief Financial Officer & Administrator), Jiayan Zhao (Director, Venture Fund and Financial Analysis, Office of the Chief Financial Officer), Kristina Gostic (Vice President, Ambulatory Services of Faculty Practices & Chief Operating Officer, Packard Children's Health Alliance) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Stanford University have?
    Stanford University has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Stanford University’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Stanford University includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer & Administrator, Director, Venture Fund and Financial Analysis, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Ambulatory Services of Faculty Practices & Chief Operating Officer, Packard Children's Health Alliance, Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Athletics Director, Chief of Staff.