Lisa Coleman, PhD, is a distinguished academic leader and scholar with a proven record of organizational stewardship, transformational leadership, and creativity, as well as of expanding opportunities and partnerships. She joined Adler University on Sept. 1, 2024, bringing a deep-rooted and long-standing commitment to higher education, public health, co-creation, and innovation. Since her arrival, she has collaborated with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners to build on the University’s strong Adlerian foundation and principles, implementing a refreshed institutional brand and expanding partnerships locally and globally.
Her appointment comes at a critical moment. As gaps in mental health care continue to widen globally, the demand for systems that are more responsive, effective, and collaborative has never been more relevant. Dr. Coleman’s early work with health clinics and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) continues to inform her approach to developing cross-sector partnerships that drive innovation and social impact.
Along with her experience working across academic medical institutions, she has worked closely with health centers, hospitals, and clinics, as well as with art and educational programs, to develop and expand impactful, action-oriented research and scholarship that foster and sustain engagement with social service and community-based institutions. Under Dr. Coleman’s leadership, Adler is expanding its institutional impact by strengthening its ability to educate leaders who can anticipate emerging societal needs and address urgent challenges. All of these efforts are intended to advance the Adlerian mission of educating breakaway action-driven leaders and practitioners who will transform complex systems of public health and well-being.
Now, in her second year as president, Dr. Coleman is leading a period of institutional transformation rooted in an Adlerian ethos. Adler’s enduring focus on community, partnership, and social interest aligns with Dr. Coleman’s record of uniting collaborators around shared goals. Under her leadership, the Office of Academic Affairs has been elevated, and she is spearheading efforts to reimagine program offerings, reinforcing collaboration and multi-sector partnerships across the institution.
With leaders and partners across Adler, Dr. Coleman is strengthening institutional alignment, transparency, and communication. Her proven approach of bridging scholarship and practice, focused on transformative leadership and partnership, is helping to shape the next chapter of Adler University’s growth and impact. This commitment is reflected in recently announced formal collaborations with organizations such as Fulbright Canada, the First Nations Health Authority, YWCA Metro Vancouver, Capilano University, and Vancouver Community College, new military-focused certification programs, and other efforts to expand community-based learning and services. She has also guided the process of reimagining shared governance models and updating institutional policies and procedures to support collective success.
Before joining Adler, Dr. Coleman held several senior leadership positions, including serving as New York University’s inaugural senior vice president for global inclusion and strategic innovation, Harvard University’s special assistant to the president and chief diversity officer, grants officer with Merrill Lynch Inc., and senior researcher with the AAMC. Through her work, she and her teams have been recognized for pioneering contributions at the intersection of technology and art, access and disability, climate research, and global partnership development.
