Lisa Coleman

Lisa Coleman, Ph.D., serves as the seventh president of Adler University, a position she assumed on September 1, 2024. She is the first female and first Black leader of the institution, marking a historic milestone for Adler University, which was founded in 1952 as the Institute of Adlerian Psychology and gained university status in 2015.

• Doctorate in Social and Cultural Analysis, American Studies from NYU
• Master's degrees from Ohio State University
• Bachelor's degree in Sociology/Anthropology from Denison University

Dr. Coleman's expertise centers on global leadership, diversity and inclusion, and organizational transformation. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes empathy, courage, creativity, integrity, and adaptability. She has pioneered initiatives at the intersection of innovation, diversity, and social impact throughout her career, with recent work focusing on global leadership, generational literacy, and emerging technology.

She has received prestigious recognition including being named to Women We Admire's Top 50 Women Leaders in Education for 2025, celebrating her visionary contributions to shaping the future of education across North America.

President Coleman serves on multiple influential boards including the United Negro College Fund-NY Leadership Committee, American Repertory Theater Advisory Board, Sarah Lawrence College, ANA Educational Foundation, and Parity.Org. She actively cultivates leadership networks and incubation groups to address challenges and create innovation opportunities across sectors.