Excelsior University Welcomes Jessica Hinkle to Board of Trustees
ALBANY, N.Y. — The Excelsior University Board of Trustees has named Jessica Hinkle, senior vice president of strategic investments for Strada Education Foundation and a resident of Hermosa Beach, California, among its 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.
As the senior vice president of strategic investments at Strada Education Foundation, Jessica evaluates potential mission-aligned investments and manages Strada’s portfolio of direct minority investments and early-stage fund investments.
“I am thrilled to join the board of trustees for Excelsior University, an institution that provides crucial educational opportunities for learners around the globe,” she said. “As Excelsior continues to expand its programming and reach, it is truly an exciting time to join this remarkable group of trustees.”
Previously, Jessica advised and supported Strada’s mission-aligned affiliates, leading product strategy and innovation for Strada’s commercial and products division. Jessica joined Strada in March 2018.
Prior to joining Strada, Jessica was a principal with Silverstrand Strategy + Innovation, providing strategic advisory services. She also held a variety of roles with Laureate Education Inc., including as chief product officer for Walden University, for which she led the team of product managers at Laureate’s flagship online university. She also co-led an innovation team that incubated a new model for competency-based education.
Jessica began at Laureate in 2002 as senior market analyst in the research and analysis department, and progressed to her other roles: vice president, product management; and co-head, emerging strategies and products group. She began her career in investment banking at Morgan Stanley and WR Hambrecht + Co.
Kent A.D. Clark, president and chairman of the board for the Clark Advisory Group LLC and CAG Federal, was appointed chair of the Excelsior University Board of Trustees. Other trustees appointed to the board include Diane Adams, chief learning officer of Mount Sinai Health System; Todd Greene, vice president of Work, Education, and Labor Division and executive director of WorkRise Urban Institute; Ruth Lown Turman, senior sales operations manager at Optum Serve of UnitedHealth Group; Jeff Metzler, partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP; and Tony Spearman-Leach, director of development and philanthropy at the National Academy of Public Administration.
For more information on the Excelsior University Board of Trustees and full biographies of each member, visit excelsior.edu/about/leadership/trustees.
Media contact Excelsior University:
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446
About Excelsior University
Excelsior University is an accredited, not-for-profit higher education institution focused on helping learners complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior 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, Excelsior 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.
Excelsior is a not-for-profit university with a main campus in Albany, New York, and an educational site in St. Petersburg, Florida. Excelsior University’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.
