Executive Advisory Board

The Executive Advisory Board for the College of Arts and Letters guides and supports the dean and the college in philanthropic and outreach efforts. Board members serve as ambassadors for the college and help students by forging connections that can yield internships, job placements, on-campus programs, and arts sponsorships.

Fiona Alexander | Salt Point Strategies

Fiona M. Alexander is co-founder of Salt Point Strategies, a consulting group that provides public affairs advice, strategy, and advocacy to clients navigating the emerging high-tech economy.

She is also Distinguished Policy Strategist in Residence in the School of International Service at American University and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow with the Digital Innovation Initiative at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA).

For close to 20 years, Fiona served at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in the U.S. Department of Commerce where she was associate administrator for international affairs. Prior to joining NTIA, she was a Senior Consultant at Booz, Allen & Hamilton.

She earned her master's degree in international relations at American University, Washington, D.C., and a bachelor's degree in international studies at Old à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã University.

David Borges
David Borges | NASA Earth Science Division

David Borges is a physical scientist with the NASA Earth Science Division and serves as director, Systems Engineering Office, Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS).

After earning his bachelor’s degree in Geography, Geographic Information Science at Old à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã University, he spent 10 years supporting multiple federal agencies with Booz Allen Hamilton. His work enabling geospatial solutions in the disaster response sector brought him to the NASA Disasters Program where he served as associate program manager. On behalf of NASA, he now leads a team of satellite and geospatial professionals supporting CEOS.

Milton Brown | National Telecommunications & Information Administration (retired)

Born and raised in Staunton, Virginia, Milton Brown attended Old à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã University and in 1980 earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.

In 1989, he received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. After serving as a litigation attorney at a Washington, D.C., law firm, he became a telecommunications lawyer at the Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Mr. Brown retired as NTIA's deputy chief counsel in 2022. He is an active member of the District of Columbia's bar association.

Lisa Ellerbee
Lisa Ellerbee | Virginia Beach Public Schools & Columbia University (retired)

After graduating from Old à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã University with a bachelor's degree in secondary music education in 1990, Lisa Ellerbee taught music in Virginia Beach Public Schools.

After 17 years, she left the school system, moved to New York City, and took a job with the Research Center for Arts & Culture at Columbia University. Additionally, she earned a master's arts administration. Ellerbee also earned a certification in the psychology of leadership from Cornell University. For a short time, she worked at Lincoln Center for the Arts Music Education Projects, and, afterwards, worked with a small company producing arts experiences for schools, adult groups. Leaving the arts, she took a position as president for a small company and later retired.

William Giandoni | Strategic Executive Consulting

William Giandoni is an entrepreneur and philanthropist. After earning a bachelor's degree in history from Old à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã University in 2002, he relocated to Southern California, and found success as a private equity associate.

As AVP she serves as a senior team member, manages a principal gift portfolio, and works closely on projects with the vice president of development and alumni relations.

Lee graduated from Old à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She joined American University in 2007, beginning a 20-year career in higher education and non-profit fundraising. She has worked at The George Washington University, WETA Public Broadcasting, the University of Washington, and Penn State University.

Lee Holsopple | American University

Originally from Hershey, Pennsylvania, Lee Holsopple is assistant vice president, lifetime philanthropy and special campaign projects at American University in Washington, D.C.

After 17 years, she left the school system, moved to New York City, and took a job with the Research Center for Arts & Culture at Columbia University. Additionally, she earned a master's arts administration. Ellerbee also earned a certification in the psychology of leadership from Cornell University. For a short time, she worked at Lincoln Center for the Arts Music Education Projects, and, afterwards, worked with a small company producing arts experiences for schools, adult groups. Leaving the arts, she took a position as president for a small company and later retired.

Charlene Morring | Morring Law

Charlene Morring graduated from Old à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã University in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in political science.

During her time at ODU, the first-generation college student won the Kaufman Scholar Award. She later attended the University of Richmond as an E.W. Hudgins Scholar. Her law firm, Morring Law, focuses on injury, disability, and workers' compensation. She has served on the boards of both Young Life and ForKids.