The Business-Higher Education Forum Adds New Board Members and Leadership

Prominent higher education and business leaders bring momentum to the Forum’s work to develop inclusive, accelerated, and effective models that bridge education and employment.

August 13, 2024 -- The Business-Higher Education Forum announces new board leadership for 2024-25, with Laura Ipsen, President and CEO of Ellucian, serving as Chair, and Jeffrey D. Armstrong, President of California Polytechnic State University, serving as Vice Chair. Also joining the Board are Jae Lynn Akin, HR executive at State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company; Terrence Cheng, Chancellor of Connecticut State Colleges and Universities; and Christopher Reber, President of Hudson County Community College. 

“The Business-Higher Education Forum’s mission to forge partnerships between higher education and business is vital to advancing innovative models to power the future workforce,” said Laura Ipsen, Board Chair. "I'm honored to lead this board at a pivotal time where tighter collaboration will help us navigate new frontiers, with innovations like artificial intelligence reshaping the economic landscape."

“Our three new Board members will bring their expertise to our work to create inclusive pathways into the critical occupations and skills of the future, ensuring that innovative higher education and business leaders are key actors in achieving this vision, and catalyzing impactful collaboration,” said Kristen Fox, CEO of the Business-Higher Education Forum.  “With the diverse perspectives, strong leadership, and momentum we have across our network, we are poised more closely align higher education and the business sector for strong economic outcomes.”

Vice Chair Armstrong shared, “This is an important moment for higher education and business leaders to come together nationally, across sectors, to strengthen our society and economy by co-developing the talent and careers of tomorrow.”

As the skills development partner of choice for businesses nationwide, the organization has a renewed focus on bringing together its network of executive champions to define, activate, and sustain innovative models that elevate higher education while aligning and scaling talent solutions to meet emerging workforce needs. Following Kristen Fox’s appointment as CEO in 2024, the organization has successfully secured new funding from the Strada Foundation, national semiconductor business collaboratives, and corporate sponsors.

The Business-Higher Education Forum’s 2024-25 Board of Directors:

Jae Lynn Akin 
HR Executive, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company 

Joseph E. Aoun
President, Northeastern University 

Jeffrey D. Armstrong, Board Vice Chair
President, California Polytechnic State University 

Terrence Cheng 
Chancellor, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities 

John J. DeGioia 
President, Georgetown University 

Lisa Gevelber 
Chief Marketing Officer, Americas Region, Google and Founder, Grow with Google 

Laura K. Ipsen, Board Chair
President and Chief Executive Officer, Ellucian, Inc. 

Earl F. "Marty" Martin 
President, Drake University 

Ryan Oakes
Managing Director, Accenture 

Jay A. Perman, M.D. 
Chancellor, University System of Maryland 

Madeline Pumariega
President, Miami Dade College 

Chris Reber 
President, Hudson County Community College 

Timothy D. Sands, Immediate Past Chair
President, Virginia Tech