91¿ì²¥ welcomes new chair and members to Board of TrusteesÌý
91¿ì²¥ Board of Trustees chair Kent A.D. Clark
Albany, N.Y.Ìý —ÌýThe 91¿ì²¥ÌýBoard ofÌýTrusteesÌýhas namedÌýKent A.D. Clark as its chair and appointed six new trustees. The University’s governing body, the board consists of individuals from across the country who are leaders in the fields of business, education, and government.Ìý
Clark, ofÌýValrico,ÌýFlorida,ÌýisÌýpresident andÌýchairmanÌýof the board for the Clark Advisory GroupÌýLLC and CAG Federal, aÌýmilitaryÌýveteran, and an 91¿ì²¥Ìýalumnus.ÌýClark is an experienced chief executive officer certified in board and advisory work across the spectrums of cybersecurity, governance, finance, audit, strategic planning, and development for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations.ÌýHe has been a member of the 91¿ì²¥ Board of Trustees since 2020,Ìýmost recently serving as treasurer.Ìý
“As a board member and alumnus,ÌýKent Clark’s expertise, leadership, andÌýcommitmentÌýtoÌý91¿ì²¥â€™s mission of educational accessÌýhaveÌýhad aÌýprofoundÌýimpactÌýonÌýourÌýuniversity,â€� said David Schejbal, president of 91¿ì²¥. “IÌýlook forward to working with Chair Clark and this remarkable group of trusteesÌýas weÌýcontinueÌýour growth as aÌýcomprehensive educational institution dedicated toÌýcreating opportunities for learnersÌýeverywhere.â€�ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
As a veteran of the U.S. Army, Clark held progressively senior ranks, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.ÌýDuring his service, heÌýadvisedÌýU.S. Armed Forces leaders across multiple geographical locations, both domestic and abroad, on strategy,Ìýlogistics, and resource planning. He also specialized in the deployment of large overseas logistical operations during combat, working with allies, foreign militaries, governments, and inter-agency partners.Ìý
He most recently held the position of CEO at AMVETS National Service Foundation in Lanham, Maryland, where he spearheaded the major transformation of theÌýone of the country’sÌýlargest veterans service organizationsÌýwith a complex organizational structure, providing clear direction and governance while upholding the highest levels of ethics and fiduciary care. Previously, he held the position of chief appropriations advisor/national security director in the office of U.S. Rep. C. W. Bill Young.Ìý
“As a military student in need of flexible education,Ìý91¿ì²¥ÌýhelpedÌýset me on a path to successÌýin bothÌýmyÌýArmy and civilian careers,â€�Ìýsaid Clark. “It has been an honor to give back to the UniversityÌýasÌýaÌýtrustee, and I amÌýthrilledÌýtoÌýstep into the role of chair at this exciting time in 91¿ì²¥â€™s history.â€�Ìý
New trustees appointed to the board includeÌýDiane Adams, chief learning officer of Mount Sinai Health System;ÌýTodd Greene, vice president of Work, Education, and Labor Division and executive director ofÌýWorkRiseÌýUrban Institute;ÌýJessica Hinkle, senior vice president of Strada;ÌýRuth Lown Turman, senior sales operations manager at Optum Serve of UnitedHealth Group;ÌýJeff Metzler, partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw PittmanÌýLLP;Ìýand Tony Spearman-Leach, director of development and philanthropy at the National Academy of Public Administration.ÌýÌý
For the past ten years,ÌýDianeÌýAdams has served a workforce of 50,000 people at the Mount Sinai Health System as chief learning officer. In this role,ÌýAdamsÌýcreates and drives the organizational learning strategy, leading a team of talent development professionals implementing programs focused on areas such as leadership development, workforce capacity building, engagement, and patient experience.ÌýÌý
ToddÌýGreene is a vice president of the Work, Education, and Labor Division (WELD) at the Urban Institute. He leads a team of K-12, higher education, workforce development, apprenticeship, and labor market experts who shape education and training that leads to lifelong success. He also serves as the executive director ofÌýWorkRise,Ìýa research-to-action network focused on jobs, workers, and mobility hosted by the Urban Institute.ÌýÌý
As senior vice president of strategic investments for StradaÌýEducation Foundation,ÌýJessicaÌýHinkleÌýevaluates potential mission-aligned investments and manages Strada’s portfolio of direct minority investments and early-stage fund investments.ÌýPreviously, Hinkle advised and supported Strada’s mission-aligned affiliates, leading productÌýstrategyÌýand innovation for Strada’s commercial and products division.Ìý
An active and engaged 91¿ì²¥ alumna, Ruth Lown Turman was recently appointed president ofÌýthe 91¿ì²¥ Alumni Leadership CouncilÌýand will serve as an ex officio board member.ÌýTurman currently serves as senior sales operations manager at Optum Serve (UnitedHealth Group). Her experience spans health care, technology, and financial services, with a focus on proposal management, process design, and cross-functional leadership supporting complex federal and commercial programs.ÌýÌý
JeffÌýMetzler is co-leader ofÌýPillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP’sÌýeducation group and is ranked by Chambers for Higher Education law. He has extensive experience handling complex civil litigation, investigations, and appeals for a diversity of clients.ÌýHe also has significant appellate experience in New York state and federal courts and has served as trusted counsel to boards and senior leaders in government and nonprofits.Ìý
AsÌýseniorÌýdirector ofÌýinstitutionalÌýadvancement at the U.S.ÌýCongressionally charteredÌýNational Academy of Public Administration,ÌýTonyÌýSpearman-LeachÌýengages major philanthropists, corporations, and foundations, securing commitments that ensure long-term sustainability while expanding programs in good government and governance.ÌýAn 91¿ì²¥Ìýalumnus, Spearman-Leach recently concluded his term as 91¿ì²¥ Alumni Leadership Council president.ÌýÌý
For more information on the 91¿ì²¥ Board of Trustees and full biographies of each member, visit excelsior.edu/about/leadership/trustees.Ìý
Media contact 91¿ì²¥:
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446
91¿ì²¥ 91¿ì²¥
91¿ì²¥ is an accredited, not-for-profit higher education institution focused on helping learners complete their degrees and advance their careers. 91¿ì²¥ contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971 in Albany, New York, 91¿ì²¥ meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.
91¿ì²¥ is a not-for-profit university with a main campus in Albany, New York, and an educational site in St. Petersburg, Florida. 91¿ì²¥â€™s academic programs are registered by the New York State Education Department, with additional licensing for Florida-based programs.
Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education (License No. 12928). Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 323099-0400, toll-free number: (888)-224-6684.