Leadership Team
The leadership team, consisting of executive members overseeing their respective divisions, works closely with the Academic Board to guide the organization’s development. Beyond their individual roles, team members collaborate to advise the President on strategic and operational matters that affect IAEBM’s mission and growth. They also serve as a sounding board for new ideas and initiatives, promoting a culture of informed decision-making, transparency, and continuous feedback.
Executive Members

James E. Sinclair, Ph.D.
President
Bio
Dr. James Everett Sinclair serves as President of IAEBM, where he oversees the institution’s overall strategic vision, organizational leadership, and global partnerships. With a distinguished career spanning three decades in higher education, Dr. Sinclair brings deep experience in academic administration, program innovation, and business school leadership. He earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Iowa and spent his academic career at several respected public and private universities. His work focused on expanding access to business education, fostering community-industry partnerships, and leading cross-disciplinary initiatives in entrepreneurship and executive education. After retiring from university service, Dr. Sinclair joined IAEBM in 2021 and has been instrumental in shaping its academic integrity, global reach, and student-centered mission. Under his leadership, IAEBM has grown into a respected institution for professional education, certification, and applied research. Outside of work, he enjoys classical jazz, gardening, and mentoring first-generation college students in business leadership.

Danielle E. Moreau, MBA
Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer
Bio
Danielle Elise Moreau serves as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of IAEBM, where she leads institutional operations, program implementation, and internal systems management. She is responsible for aligning IAEBM’s day-to-day operations with its long-term strategic goals and ensuring the seamless delivery of academic and certification programs across global platforms. Ms. Moreau holds an MBA from McGill University and brings over 25 years of experience in the private consulting sector, having worked with firms in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. She specialized in organizational development, strategic execution, and performance optimization for clients in education, finance, and public health. In parallel, she served as an adjunct lecturer at several Canadian business schools, teaching courses in operations strategy, project management, and business communication. At IAEBM, she oversees operations across departments, manages accreditation and quality assurance processes, and supports the expansion of international partnerships. Known for her practical leadership style and collaborative spirit, she plays a key role in fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

Gabriela Lucía Navarro
Chief People Officer
Bio
Gabriela Lucía Navarro serves as Chief People Officer (CPO) at IAEBM, where she leads the institution’s human capital strategy, faculty and staff development, and organizational culture. Her work focuses on aligning IAEBM’s mission with a dynamic, people-centered workplace that fosters collaboration, innovation, and professional growth. Born in Monterrey, Mexico, Ms. Navarro moved to the United States for higher education, earning her M.A. in Organizational Psychology from California State University, Long Beach. She brings over 15 years of experience in HR leadership across educational nonprofits and midsize corporate learning organizations, with a specialization in talent development, leadership coaching, and inclusive hiring practices. At IAEBM, she oversees HR operations, manages institutional wellness and employee engagement programs, and advises executive leadership on change management and workforce strategy. She is also a strong advocate for international staff integration and faculty mentorship pipelines. Outside of work, Gabriela enjoys modern dance, community theater, and volunteering with bilingual youth leadership programs.

Jonathan Leong, Ph.D., CFA
Chief Financial Officer,
Coordinator of Asian Pacific Programs
Bio
Dr. Jonathan Leong serves as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Coordinator of Asian Pacific Programs at IAEBM. In these dual roles, he oversees the institution’s global financial strategy and leads regional program development, partnerships, and student outreach across Asia-Pacific countries. Born in South China, Dr. Leong earned his Ph.D. in Applied Economics from Pennsylvania State University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). He specializes in corporate finance, AI applications in business, and the use of big data in financial modeling. At IAEBM, Dr. Leong manages operational budgeting, investment oversight, and financial risk management, while also expanding IAEBM’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region through academic collaborations, certification partnerships, and student recruitment initiatives.

Alicia Renée Chapman, JD
Chief Legal Officer
Bio
Alicia Renée Chapman serves as Chief Legal Officer at IAEBM, where she leads all legal strategy, compliance, and risk management activities. Her work ensures that IAEBM’s global programs, partnerships, and digital platforms meet the highest standards of legal integrity and regulatory compliance. Ms. Chapman holds a J.D. from Howard University School of Law and has over 20 years of experience practicing and teaching in the areas of business law, intellectual property, and educational compliance. She began her career in boutique technology law firms and later served as legal counsel for a mid-sized software company, where she specialized in IT licensing, patent strategies, and IP protection. She continues to serve as an adjunct instructor in business and technology law at local community colleges in Oregon and Northern California, focusing on access to legal education for underrepresented students.

Matthew Reid Ellison, Ph.D.
Managing Director of Education and Research Programs,
Coordinator of North American Programs
Bio
Dr. Matthew Reid Ellison serves as Managing Director of Education and Research Programs, where he leads the strategic design and integration of academic programs, research initiatives, and interdisciplinary learning frameworks. He oversees curriculum alignment, faculty collaboration, and the expansion of applied research across IAEBM’s global divisions. He also serves as the Coordinator of North American Programs at IAEBM. Dr. Ellison holds two doctoral degrees — a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, Davis. His academic and professional background bridges algorithmic modeling, AI-based policy simulation, and the economic implications of emerging technologies. Prior to joining IAEBM, Dr. Ellison worked in university innovation labs and public-private research consortia, where he directed projects on smart markets, data-driven education, and computational public policy. At IAEBM, he spearheads initiatives that integrate data science, economics, and management education into cohesive, accessible programs. Known for his analytical precision and cross-disciplinary thinking, he also mentors faculty research teams and graduate fellows. Outside work, he enjoys rock climbing, sci-fi writing, and building open-source educational tools.

Rika Sayama, MBA
Managing Director of Global Partnership,
Coordinator of ROW Programs
Bio
Rika Sayama serves as Managing Director of Global Partnership at the Institute for Advancing Education in Business and Management (IAEBM), where she leads the institution’s global collaboration strategy, cross-border academic agreements, and international stakeholder relations. She also serves as the Coordinator of ROW (rest of the world) Programs at IAEBM. Born in Nara, Japan, Ms. Sayama earned her Bachelor of Science in Management from Tohoku University and later completed her MBA at the University of Oregon. She joined IAEBM shortly after graduation and has since built a decade-long career within the institution, serving successively as Teaching Associate, Senior Lecturer, Assistant for Global Programs, and Chief Secretary of the Academic Board. At IAEBM, she is responsible for expanding international partnerships, managing dual-degree programs, and coordinating institutional cooperation with universities, corporations, and NGOs across Asia, Europe, and North America. Known for her poise, cross-cultural fluency, and strategic focus, she has become one of IAEBM’s most trusted leaders in global affairs. Outside of work, Rika enjoys ink drawing, hiking historical trails, and preparing seasonal wagashi (traditional Japanese confections) for friends and colleagues.