Dr. Lisa Coleman

Dr. Lisa M. Coleman is New York University’s (NYU) inaugural Senior VP for Global Inclusion and
Strategic Innovation, and Chief Diversity Officer. Reporting to the President, Dr. Coleman works
with the Office of the Provost, Deans, other senior leaders, internal stakeholders, external
partners, and constituents to advance, promote and build capacity for strategic global inclusion,
diversity, equity, belonging and innovation initiatives across NYU globally. Prior to NYU, Dr.
Coleman served as the first Special Assistant to the President at Harvard University and Chief
Diversity Officer. During her tenure, she and her team developed some of the first initiatives
focused on the intersections of technology and disability. Prior to NYU and Harvard, she
directed the Africana program at Tufts University, and was later appointed to serve as that
institution’s first senior GID executive reporting to the President. Dr. Coleman earned her
doctorate in Social and Cultural Analysis, American Studies from NYU and three master’s
degrees from the Ohio State University in African and African American Studies; Women’s,
Gender, and Sexuality Studies; and Communication Studies. Her undergraduate foci included
sociology/anthropology and computer science.