University of Phoenix President and President Emeritus Featured Speakers at “Leading with Transparency: C-Suite Insights” Educational Equity Webinar 

President Chris Lynne and President Emeritus Peter Cohen to discuss the role of transparency in fostering inclusive environments

University of Phoenix is pleased to announce its upcoming webinar, "Leading with Transparency: C-Suite Insights," featuring University of Phoenix President Chris Lynne and President Emeritus Peter Cohen, scheduled for July 19, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM MST. The event is part of a public series intended for educators, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) practitioners, higher education leaders and administrators, employers, nonprofit organizations, government affiliates, and University of Phoenix faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

"We are pleased to welcome President Lynne and President Emeritus Cohen for this very special webinar focused on the longstanding commitment to DEIB at the University," shares Saray Lopez, MBA, director of Student Diversity & Inclusion at University of Phoenix. "Their deep understanding that diversity is our strength and inclusion is the key to excellence sets a powerful example. We anticipate a rich discussion on how they have successfully navigated significant challenges, including the pandemic, while fostering transparency and inclusion.”

The webinar follows the third annual Inclusive Leadership Summit, which focused on the pivotal role of transparency in fostering a sense of belonging within organizations. During the webinar, Cohen and Lynne will share their experiences, strategies, and personal journeys toward transparent, inclusive leadership. The discussion will highlight how both leaders approach cultivating environments where everyone feels respected and valued. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how Cohen and Lynne embraced vulnerability and effectively navigated the challenges – including those posed by the pandemic – on higher education, students, faculty, and staff.

Lynne was named President of University of Phoenix in December 2022 after serving as interim president since June 2022 and working under President Emeritus Peter Cohen as Chief Financial Officer. Lynne works collaboratively with the Senior Leadership Team to further accelerate the University-wide vision to be recognized as the most-trusted provider of career-relevant higher education for working adults.

A seasoned executive in higher education, Lynne previously served as the University's chief financial officer from 2018 to 2022. Before joining the University, Lynne's professional background included, most recently, serving as the chief financial officer of Cadence Education, a holding company with more than 200 preschools across the U.S. He also founded Transcend Education Group and served as president and chief operating officer of Hot Chalk, an online program management company. Before that, Lynne served at Northcentral University in a dual chief financial officer and chief operating officer role. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration from the Booth School of Business at University of Chicago.

Cohen served as President of University of Phoenix from 2017 - 2022, and as Group President for North America at McGraw-Hill Education from 2013 - 2017. He was previously the CEO for Pearson’s K-12 curriculum and charter school business from 2008 to 2013, where he led the expansion of digital curriculum and services. Cohen began his education career at Sylvan Learning, the leading tutoring business in the USA, where he was the President and CEO for Sylvan and Educate Inc. from 1996 to 2008. He now serves as a board member to five PreK-12 grade education companies, and as a Senior Advisor for Boston Consulting Group. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Redlands, Johnston College.

The discussion will be hosted by Tondra Richardson, MBA, director of Student Diversity & Inclusion and Saray Lopez, MBA, director, Student Diversity & Inclusion, both with the Office of Educational Equity (OEE) at University of Phoenix. The Educational Equity Webinar Series is part of a series of events with which the OEE engages aiming to foster cultural awareness, thought leadership and community alliances to promote and sustain educational equity and diversity initiatives. The OEE supports students and faculty year-round with programs like the Inclusive Leadership Summit and an internal offering for staff and faculty, The Inclusive Café. 

Register for the webinar here.

Previous webinars can be accessed here.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit  phoenix.edu.