Strategic Education Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Strategic Education has 10 executives leading key functions including educational strategy, operational management, enterprise marketing, human resources, and legal compliance.

Focused on empowering working professionals through flexible degree programs, Strategic Education delivers high-impact academic credentials that directly translate into career advancement and professional growth across diverse industries.

Leadership Roles at Strategic Education

  • Chief Executive Officer, Sophia Learning - Hunter Davis
  • Senior Executive Assistant To the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer - Abby Rice
  • Chief Operating Officer - Shawna Thayer
  • Partnerships Vice President, Enterprise & Chief Operating Officer - Jonathan Rydberg
  • Chief of Staff To the Chief Marketing Officer. Driving Enterprise Marketing Strategy - Cole Ranzau
  • Executive Assistant To Chief Human Resources Officer - Denise Sousa
  • Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, Enterprise Partnerships and Workforce Edge - Christine Neff
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Christa Hokenson
  • Vice President, Chief of Staff - Sowa Imoisili
  • Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel - Lizette Herraiz
  • Hunter Davis - Chief Executive Officer, Sophia Learning

    Hunter Davis, the Chief Executive Officer, Sophia Learning at Strategic Education, directs the expansion of accessible, low-cost college credit pathways for working adults. Davis oversees the development of self-paced learning modules that integrate seamlessly into the broader educational ecosystem. By aligning curriculum with workforce demands, the Chief Executive Officer, Sophia Learning ensures that students gain practical skills applicable to modern business environments. Hunter Davis manages cross-functional teams to optimize student engagement and completion rates across North American markets. This leadership role involves constant iteration of digital delivery mechanisms to maintain competitive advantages in the education services sector. Through strategic oversight of academic partnerships, Davis drives the mission of removing barriers to higher education. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer, Sophia Learning secures the long-term viability of the platform by prioritizing student outcomes and career-relevant learning experiences.

    Abby Rice - Senior Executive Assistant To the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer

    Abby Rice, the Senior Executive Assistant To the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer at Strategic Education, directs the administrative coordination and operational support for the finance and human resources divisions. Rice oversees the scheduling, communication flow, and project tracking for these critical departments to ensure executive focus remains on strategic priorities. By managing complex workflows, the Senior Executive Assistant To the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer facilitates seamless collaboration between financial planning and talent management teams. Abby Rice organizes high-level meetings and prepares essential documentation that informs corporate decision-making processes. This leadership role involves maintaining strict confidentiality and operational precision to support the company's fiscal and human capital goals. Through proactive management of executive time and resources, Rice drives organizational efficiency. Ultimately, the Senior Executive Assistant To the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that leadership functions operate without disruption.

    Shawna Thayer - Chief Operating Officer

    Shawna Thayer, the Chief Operating Officer at Strategic Education, directs the internal scaling and operational efficiency of the entire education services portfolio. Thayer oversees the integration of academic delivery systems with administrative support functions to ensure a cohesive experience for working students. By streamlining processes across undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the Chief Operating Officer maintains high standards of service quality. Shawna Thayer manages the logistical framework supporting diverse disciplines including accounting, business administration, and information technology. This leadership role involves close collaboration with the executive team to align operational capacity with market demand. Through rigorous performance monitoring and resource allocation, Thayer drives organizational productivity and supports the company's commitment to professional advancement. Ultimately, the Chief Operating Officer optimizes the infrastructure necessary to sustain growth and deliver consistent educational value to a global student base.

    Jonathan Rydberg - Partnerships Vice President, Enterprise & Chief Operating Officer

    Jonathan Rydberg, the Partnerships Vice President, Enterprise & Chief Operating Officer at Strategic Education, directs the expansion of corporate partnerships and the logistical execution of enterprise-level educational programs. Rydberg oversees the development of strategic alliances that connect the company's degree offerings with the workforce needs of large organizations. By managing the operational delivery of these partnerships, the Partnerships Vice President, Enterprise & Chief Operating Officer ensures that educational content meets the specific skill requirements of modern employers. Jonathan Rydberg coordinates with internal teams to scale service delivery across diverse regional markets. This leadership role involves negotiating complex agreements and overseeing the implementation of customized learning solutions. Through a focus on high-demand fields like information technology and business administration, Rydberg drives the company's market impact. Ultimately, the Partnerships Vice President, Enterprise & Chief Operating Officer secures long-term growth by embedding the company's educational services into the professional development strategies of major enterprises.

    Cole Ranzau - Chief of Staff To the Chief Marketing Officer. Driving Enterprise Marketing Strategy

    Cole Ranzau, the Chief of Staff To the Chief Marketing Officer. Driving Enterprise Marketing Strategy at Strategic Education, directs the execution of high-level marketing initiatives and enterprise-wide communication campaigns. Ranzau oversees the alignment of marketing objectives with the broader corporate mission of serving working adults. By coordinating complex projects across the marketing department, the Chief of Staff To the Chief Marketing Officer. Driving Enterprise Marketing Strategy ensures that messaging remains consistent and impactful. Cole Ranzau manages the flow of information between leadership tiers to facilitate rapid decision-making regarding brand positioning and market penetration. This leadership role involves analyzing competitive landscapes to refine outreach strategies for degree programs. Through meticulous project management and strategic planning, Ranzau drives the visibility of educational offerings in high-demand fields. Ultimately, the Chief of Staff To the Chief Marketing Officer. Driving Enterprise Marketing Strategy supports the company's growth by optimizing the effectiveness of enterprise marketing efforts.

    Denise Sousa - Executive Assistant To Chief Human Resources Officer

    Denise Sousa, the Executive Assistant To Chief Human Resources Officer at Strategic Education, directs the administrative operations and project support for the human resources department. Sousa oversees the coordination of talent initiatives and internal communications that foster a productive work environment. By managing the daily requirements of the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Executive Assistant To Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that HR leadership remains focused on strategic workforce development and organizational culture. Denise Sousa organizes departmental workflows and facilitates communication across various internal teams to support the company's mission of professional education. This leadership role involves handling sensitive data and coordinating complex scheduling needs to maintain operational continuity. Through diligent support and process management, Sousa drives the effectiveness of human resources functions. Ultimately, the Executive Assistant To Chief Human Resources Officer enables the HR team to execute initiatives that attract and retain top talent.

    Christine Neff - Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, Enterprise Partnerships and Workforce Edge

    Christine Neff, the Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, Enterprise Partnerships and Workforce Edge at Strategic Education, directs the brand strategy and market positioning for enterprise-focused educational solutions. Neff oversees the development of marketing campaigns that highlight the value of degree programs for working professionals. By leading the Workforce Edge initiative, the Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, Enterprise Partnerships and Workforce Edge ensures that educational offerings remain aligned with the evolving needs of corporate partners. Christine Neff manages the integration of marketing efforts with partnership development to maximize reach and student enrollment. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends to refine the company's value proposition in the competitive education services sector. Through strategic communication and brand management, Neff drives the visibility of programs in accounting, public administration, and technology. Ultimately, the Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, Enterprise Partnerships and Workforce Edge supports the company's growth by effectively connecting professionals with career-advancing credentials.

    Christa Hokenson - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Christa Hokenson, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Strategic Education, directs the talent strategy, organizational development, and human capital management for the entire company. Hokenson oversees the recruitment, retention, and professional growth of the workforce that supports the delivery of degree programs. By aligning HR policies with the company's mission of serving working adults, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the organization maintains a culture of excellence and innovation. Christa Hokenson manages compensation, benefits, and performance management systems to drive employee engagement and productivity. This leadership role involves collaborating with other C-suite executives to ensure that human capital initiatives support the company's long-term strategic goals. Through a focus on building a high-performing team, Hokenson drives the operational success of the education services holding company. Ultimately, the Chief Human Resources Officer secures the organizational foundation necessary to deliver high-quality educational experiences to students.

    Sowa Imoisili - Vice President, Chief of Staff

    Sowa Imoisili, the Vice President, Chief of Staff at Strategic Education, directs the strategic coordination of executive operations and cross-departmental initiatives. Imoisili oversees the implementation of corporate priorities by facilitating communication and alignment between the leadership team and various business units. By managing the flow of critical information, the Vice President, Chief of Staff ensures that the executive office remains focused on high-impact projects that advance the company's mission. Sowa Imoisili coordinates complex organizational processes to streamline decision-making and improve operational agility. This leadership role involves analyzing business performance metrics to provide actionable insights to the executive team. Through proactive management of strategic initiatives, Imoisili drives the execution of the company's long-term vision. Ultimately, the Vice President, Chief of Staff supports the overall effectiveness of the leadership team by ensuring that resources are allocated to the most significant growth opportunities within the education services sector.
    Lizette Herraiz, the Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel at Strategic Education, directs the legal strategy, regulatory compliance, and risk management for the entire organization. Herraiz oversees the legal framework governing the delivery of undergraduate and graduate degree programs to ensure adherence to educational standards and corporate regulations. By managing complex legal matters, the Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel protects the company's interests while supporting its mission of serving working adults. Lizette Herraiz provides guidance on partnership agreements, intellectual property, and governance issues to facilitate smooth business operations. This leadership role involves collaborating with the Board and executive team to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape in the education industry. Through rigorous legal oversight, Herraiz drives the company's commitment to integrity and operational excellence. Ultimately, the Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel secures the legal foundation necessary for the company to continue providing high-demand educational credentials to professionals.
    Lizette Herraiz

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Strategic Education Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Strategic Education?
    Strategic Education is led by Hunter Davis (Chief Executive Officer, Sophia Learning), along with executives such as Abby Rice (Senior Executive Assistant To the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer) and Shawna Thayer (Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Strategic Education’s executive team?
    The executive team of Strategic Education includes leaders such as Hunter Davis (Chief Executive Officer, Sophia Learning), Abby Rice (Senior Executive Assistant To the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer), Shawna Thayer (Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Strategic Education have?
    Strategic Education has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Strategic Education’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Strategic Education includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Sophia Learning, Senior Executive Assistant To the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Partnerships Vice President, Enterprise & Chief Operating Officer, Chief of Staff To the Chief Marketing Officer. Driving Enterprise Marketing Strategy.