Wendelin Colby

Wendy Colby is a global education executive specializing in strategy, academic innovation, program development and innovative uses of technology to expand and foster greater access and opportunities to learning for all. She leads Boston University’s online unit known as BU Virtual, as well as the Institute for Excellence in Teaching and Learning – two units that are working in partnership with academic leaders, faculty, staff and students across the university to catalyze innovation and steer new opportunities for driving transformation and growth. Wendy has over 25 years of experience in higher education, working in both the public and private sector as well as edtech, new ventures, global campuses, workforce learning and K12 organizations. Previously, she held senior level positions in the University System of Maryland where she was CEO of a Ventures unit, and at Carnegie Mellon University where she was part of an innovation unit charged with new growth through venture startup and global expansion. She also served as an SVP at Laureate Education, where she lead the development of digital teaching and learning programs and initiatives across a network of over 80 universities around the globe. In addition, she has held executive roles at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Thomson Reuters and DigitalThink, one of the early online education Silicon Valley startups. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University and a Master’s degree from University of San Francisco.