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 Dominion University.
Milton Brown |
National Telecommunications & Information Administration (retired)
Born and raised in Staunton, Virginia, Milton Brown attended Old Dominion University and in 1980 earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.
n 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 |
Virginia Beach Public Schools & Columbia University (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.
William Giandoni |
Strategic Executive Consulting
William Giandoni is an entrepreneur and philanthropist. After earning a bachelor's degree in history from Old Dominion University in 2002, he relocated to Southern California, and found success as a private equity associate.
Next, he returned to his native region of Northern Virginia to work as a financial analyst at a small technology startup.
In November 2008, Giandoni transitioned to the role of independent consultant, eventually co-founding GovernmentCIO, a development consultancy tailored for government agencies. With Giandoni serving in various roles — including senior vice president, chief operations officer, chief strategy officer, and senior advisor to the CEO — the company grew to over 500 employees and launched its own publication, "GovernmentCIO Media & Research," offering in-depth analyses of federal IT innovation. It was sold in 2020 to a private equity firm.
In May 2021, Giandoni co-founded Skintap, a dermatology telehealth platform that connects patients with dermatologists. In July 2023, Giandoni started Strategic Executive Consulting, which gives executives insights on growth and exit strategies.
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.
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 Dominion 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.
Charlene Morring |
Morring Law
Charlene Morring graduated from Old Dominion 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.
Daniel Pennant |
Pence Financial Group
The founder and principal of Mapportunity™️, Gary White previously co-founded a government innovation arm executing advanced technology investment for small businesses and start-up companies.
He is an experienced non-profit board director, chief of staff, and consultant to C-suite executives. He joined the General Services Administration in 2018 after many years as an officer in the Air Force. He spent his final Air Force active assignment as deputy director and director of innovation for the Office of Energy Assurance.
White earned a bachelor's degree in human services counseling at Old Dominion University before studying management at Troy University, global hospitality leadership at Georgetown University and earning a graduate degree in international relations from Harvard University. He is an alumnus of the Senior Executive Fellows program at the Harvard Kennedy School's John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Gary White |
Founder of Mapportunity™️
The founder and principal of Mapportunity™️, Gary White previously co-founded a government innovation arm executing advanced technology investment for small businesses and start-up companies.
He is an experienced non-profit board director, chief of staff, and consultant to C-suite executives. He joined the General Services Administration in 2018 after many years as an officer in the Air Force. He spent his final Air Force active assignment as deputy director and director of innovation for the Office of Energy Assurance.
White earned a bachelor's degree in human services counseling at Old Dominion University before studying management at Troy University, global hospitality leadership at Georgetown University and earning a graduate degree in international relations from Harvard University. He is an alumnus of the Senior Executive Fellows program at the Harvard Kennedy School's John F. Kennedy School of Government.