Our Team
Founder & CEO
Jeff Dillon has more than two decades of experience in higher education technology leadership. As founder of EdTech Connect, the premier US resource for technology in higher education, he has transformed how institutions discover and engage with the complex technology ecosystem.
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His visionary leadership has garnered several awards, notably for leveraging mobile technology to advance higher education. His expertise spans a diverse range of subjects, including search engines, artificial intelligence, digital experience platforms, personalization strategies, and effective communication tools. Jeff continues to shape the future of education by bridging the gap between academia and technology.
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Jeff is an expert in connecting higher educational institutions with the latest technology. He founded EdTech Connect to help colleges and universities find the right tech solutions for their work and in the classroom.
Chief Growth Officer
As the CGO, Lisa Loeffler brings over 20 years of experience leading and developing digital and growth marketing strategies in higher education, the public sector, and EdTech.
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During her tenure at Northern Arizona University, Yavapai College and Maricopa Community Colleges, Lisa implemented innovative marketing campaigns that increased enrollment and brand awareness. She has also provided marketing strategies to over 20 US-based institutions, including the University of Southern California, University of Washington, University of Arizona and Vanderbilt University.
In her role at EdTech Connect, Lisa helps expand the platform's reach and impact within the educational technology landscape. She develops and executes growth-oriented initiatives that enhance platform visibility, boost user engagement and connect educational institutions with cutting-edge technological solutions.
Chief Technology Officer
Lucero has continuously immersed himself in various facets of technology, ranging from early web development to the intricate optimization of large language models (LLMs).
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As his career progressed, Lucero pursued specialized education in computing, particularly focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), through courses at prestigious institutions such as Rice, Stanford, and Caltech. He fortified his knowledge base with rigorous studies in statistics and multivariable calculus at Duke University and UC Berkeley.
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Lucero's expertise and commitment to his craft are evident in his contributions to the tech community, showcased through his technical articles and tutorials featured on reputable platforms such as SitePointCompose.io (later MongoHQ) and DigitalOcean.
Principal Research Consultant
Dr. Haley Myers Dillon is a seasoned higher education leader and researcher with over 13 years of experience driving equity-centered initiatives, student success, and institutional transformation. Most recently serving as Assistant Vice President of Retention Programs and Affinity Centers at California State University, Sacramento, she oversaw identity-based resource centers serving more than 22,000 students, managed multimillion-dollar budgets and federal grants, and advised senior leadership on policy and strategic priorities.
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Her background spans program design, grant acquisition, and cross-sector collaboration with community organizations and government agencies. Beyond her administrative leadership, she has contributed to the education policy landscape through her legislative work at the California State Assembly and her academic research in educational leadership.
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Sponsorship Coordinator
Graham Littell is a skilled sales and marketing professional with a strong track record in business development, client acquisition, and strategic growth. He currently serves as Sponsorship Manager at EdTech Connect, where he helps higher education institutions and technology providers connect in meaningful ways.
At EdTech Connect, Graham has played a key role in expanding the platform’s reach to more than 440 colleges and universities, 700 higher ed experts, and 800 software vendors across North America.
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With experience spanning sales management, account development, and digital marketing, Graham has worked with organizations ranging from startups to established firms. His background includes roles as an Account Executive at Supliful, where he converted more than 50 prospects into recurring customers, and as a co-founder of FunnelProfit, a B2B marketing and CRM automation firm.
Graham holds a BA in Studio Arts from Principia College and is pursuing an MFA in Photography at Pratt Institute
Advisors
CEO, Mackey Strategies
Since founding the national communications, marketing, and public-relations firm Mackey Strategies in 2016, Pete has worked with top colleges, universities, and educational foundations across the U.S., applying his expertise in institutional planning, executive counsel, communications strategies, campaign communications, admissions marketing, teambuilding, and crisis management.
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He developed his expertise across 30 years in institutional leadership, including as the top communications executive at Amherst College, Bucknell University, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Science Foundation Ireland, and the University of South Carolina. Pete and his team develop transformative communications operations and, through comprehensive strategies, define and re-shape how institutions connect with their audiences.
CIO, Chapman University
Helen Norris is a nationally recognized leader in Information Technology, Data Analytics, and Cybersecurity, with a career spanning more than three decades. Most recently, she served as Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at Chapman University, where she guided the university’s IT strategy, data governance, cybersecurity, academic technology, and oversaw the University Library.
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Before Chapman, Helen held senior IT leadership roles at CSU Sacramento and UC Berkeley, where she directed enterprise systems, infrastructure, and client services for large and diverse campus communities. She began her career as a programmer with the U.S. Army and went on to lead IT in both higher education and private sector organizations, giving her a uniquely broad perspective on technology strategy.
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Now retired, Helen continues to contribute as a board member, advisor, and speaker. Her expertise, vision, and commitment to innovation have left a lasting mark on higher education and beyond.
CEO, Tensor Systems
Saugata, with a PhD in theoretical physics and astrophysics, has transitioned from academia to emerge as a distinguished innovator in the tech industry, specializing in machine learning architecture. His work at tech giants like Apple, Walgreens, and Cisco has honed his skills in developing data and ML pipelines and designing industrial-grade data warehousing solutions, tailored for both large-cap enterprises and higher education institutions. Saugata's unique ability to meld theoretical knowledge with practical tech applications enables him to deliver scalable, efficient solutions that drive tangible business outcomes.
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Beyond his professional endeavors, Saugata is passionate about making machine learning and AI accessible to a broader audience, which led him to start the "Machine Learning Made Simple" podcast. This platform serves as a resource for business leaders and tech enthusiasts to demystify the complexities of AI and explore its potential to transform business operations. Saugata stands out as a strategic partner for organizations aiming to leverage technology for growth and efficiency.
Daniela Axinte merges over two decades in AI with a knack for making tech talk accessible. Leading the Terra3.0: Rewrite Future History Podcast, she strips back the hype to focus on tech's true impact. Beyond the mic, Daniela works with diverse organizations to develop bespoke trend analyses, future-proofing strategies, and actionable plans to build antifragile businesses.
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She's also ready to share her vision at your next event. With Daniela, it's all about shaping a practical, hype-free future.
AI Researcher & Strategist