Rebecca Barrett Email Address

Vice President, Business Operations and Strategy

Ellucian, the new company formed by the combination of Datatel and SunGard Higher Education, delivers a broad portfolio of technology solutions, developed in collaboration with a global education community, and provides strategic guidance to help education institutions of all kinds navigate change, achieve greater transparency, and drive efficiencies.

I am a versatile, high-energy executive with 20+ years’ experience in software & technology. I bring deep expertise in operations, strategy, financial planning & analysis, and business transformation. Regardless of role, I am energized by solving complex, cross-disciplinary problems, translating strategic vision into action, and making a material impact on the business. As I execute, I believe in continually 'raising the bar', with an iterative cycle of transformation as the foundation: innovate the business model, execute for success, and optimize for results. Then repeat. As a leader, I strive to live by the following tenets to drive success: * Build a strong team, surround myself with smart, highly-motivated people, and set the bar high. They will usually jump over it. * Create a team culture where we function as a group of adults working towards a common goal: develop & empower people to make an impact; encourage risk-taking, transparency, and candor; and exercise my positional authority only as a last resort. * Reward success and make team members' contributions visible to top leaders. * Be a great storyteller. Compelling narratives persuade, inspire, and motivate -- and make me a more influential leader. * Wherever possible, make data-driven decisions; but don't be so entrenched in spreadsheets that I don't factor in the realities of day-to-day execution. * Actively network and cultivate a 'tribe' at work: a group of like-minded partners-in-crime with whom I closely collaborate to solve the toughest problems and drive innovation and change. * Be authentic, approachable, and trustworthy. And above all, have a sense of humor.