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 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 Dominion University.
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 Dominion 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.
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.
After graduating from Old Dominion 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.
Born in Portsmouth and raised in Chesapeake, Tyrone S. Goodwyn earned twin bachelor’s degrees in marketing and management information systems from Old Dominion University.
He earned an MBA at The College of William & Mary next. He later attended George Mason University where he completed a master of science degree in management information systems.
From 1985 to 1998, he worked at AT&T as developer, systems engineer and system architect. After a period serving as senior systems architect for, successively, Iridium and Concert Communications Services, he returned to AT&T as senior technical director in 2003.
He retired in 2020 to pursue his passion – genealogy and history.
He has lived in Washington, D.C., since 1991, and in the Washington metropolitan area since 1985.
Maria L. Fornella-Oehninger is a representative of Soroptimist International at the United Nations in New York City.
Originally from Montevideo, Uruguay, Maria taught international politics and directed the Model United Nations program at Old Dominion University for 23 years.
She also worked in the local chapter of Virginia Organizing as a human rights and comprehensive immigration reform advocate and co-chaired the policy committee for the American Association of University Women, Virginia Beach branch, from 2017-18.
Maria holds degrees in English, French and international law from the University of the Republic of Uruguay, and a master’s in international politics from Old Dominion University.
She speaks fluent English, Spanish and French.
As SI UN representative, Maria focuses on social development and holds a position on the Council of Former Chairs of the NGO Committee on Social Development. She is also vice president of Soroptimist International Metro New York, a group that works locally to educate and empower women and girls to achieve their individual and collective potential.
Ryan Grizzle is a career Foreign Service officer with nearly two decades of distinguished service at the U.S. Department of State.
Currently serving as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Niamey, Niger, he has dedicated his career to advancing American interests and serving the American people both domestically and abroad.
Throughout his career, Ryan has served in diverse and challenging environments across multiple continents, including postings in Mexico, France, Mauritania, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, and Somalia. He has also served at the U.S. Mission to UNESCO.
A native of Newport News, Ryan earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Old Dominion University in 2004, followed by a Master of Arts in International Studies in 2006. He is fluent in Spanish and French.
Ryan is a proud member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. He remains committed to public service and strengthening America's relationships around the world.