Biographical information

Mary Carter Warren Franke, Director since April 2014

Board Chair, Sallie Mae
Former Managing Director, Head of Corporate Marketing, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

 

Professional Highlights:

  • Managing Director, Head of Corporate Marketing, JPMorgan Chase & Co. -  2007 to 2013
  • Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Chase Card Services - 1995 to 2007

Other Professional and Leadership Experience:

  • Director, Sallie Mae Bank - 2014 to present
  • Director, Investors Management Corporation – 2021 to present
  • Director, The Warfield Fund - 2007 to present
  • Director, Saint Mary's School - 2014 to 2020
  • Director, Hobe Sound Community Chest - 2017 to present
  • Director, Paul's Place - 2014 to 2017

Ms. Franke's leadership roles and experience in marketing and the banking industry enable her to contribute to the Board of Directors experience in the areas of marketing, business development, and financial services.


Janaki Akella, Director since January 2024

Former Digital Transformation Leader, Google LLC

 

Professional Highlights:

  • Chief of Business Operations, Director, Ads Privacy and Safety, Google LLC –2020 to 2023; Head of Digital Transformation, Director, Cloud–2018 to 2020; Chief of Staff for Search–2017 to 2018
  • Partner, McKinsey & Company–2007 to 2016; Associate Principal–2003 to 2006; Engagement Manager–2001 to 2003; Associate/Senior Associate–1999 to 2001
  • Engineer Scientist and Technical Contributor, Hewlett-Packard–1993 to 1998

Other Professional and Leadership Experience:

  • Director, Sallie Mae Bank–2024 to present
  • Director, averQ, Inc.–2023 to present

Directorship of other public companies:

  • Director, Southern Company–2019 to present

Dr. Akella’s decades of experience holding leadership roles in technology and growth strategy and advising clients in multiple industries regarding various information technology and data strategy matters, enables her to provide valuable insight to the Board of Directors in the areas of technology, business strategy, and operations.


R. Scott Blackley, Director since November 2022

Chief Financial Officer, Oscar Health, Inc.

 

Professional Highlights:

  • Chief Financial Officer, Oscar Health, Inc. – 2023 to Present; Chief Transformation Officer – 2022 to 2023; Chief Financial Officer – 2021 to 2022 
  • Chief Financial Officer, Capital One Financial Corporation – 2016 to 2021; Controller and Principal Accounting Officer – 2011 to 2017
  • Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Capital Markets business, Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) – 2007 to 2011; Senior Vice President, Accounting Policy – 2005 to 2007
  • Vice President, Assistant Controller, America Online, Inc. – 2003 to 2005
  • Partner, KPMG, LLP – 2002 to 2003;
  • Professional Accounting Fellow, United States Securities and Exchange Commission – 2000 to 2002

Other Professional and Leadership Experience:

  • Director, Sallie Mae Bank – 2022 to present
  • Director and Budget Chair, Trout Unlimited – 2019 to present
  • Director, Hexamer Therapeutics – 2019 to present

Mr. Blackley brings decades of experience in financial services, risk management, strategy, and operations to the Board.


Paul G. Child, Director since April 2014

Former Office Managing Partner, Salt Lake City, Deloitte LLP

 

Professional Highlights:

  • Office Managing Partner, Salt Lake City, Deloitte LLP - 1995 to 2008; Professional Practice Director, Salt Lake City - 1989 to 1995; Audit Partner - 1983 to 2008; various positions - 1971 to 1983

Other Professional and Leadership Experience:

  • Director, Sallie Mae Bank - 2009 to present
  • Member, Board of Governors, Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce - 2002 to 2008
  • Director, Mountainwest Capital Network - 2002 to 2008
  • Director, United Way of Greater Salt Lake - 2001 to 2008
  • Director, Ballet West – 2000 to 2008
  • Director, Pioneer Theater – 2000 to 2006

Mr. Child's leadership roles and experience in the accounting field enable him to bring to the Board of Directors experience in the areas of finance, accounting, financial services, and capital markets.


Marianne M. Keler, Director since April 2014

Attorney, Keler & Kershow PLLC

 

Professional Highlights:

  • Attorney, Keler & Kershow PLLC - 2006 to present
  • Executive Vice President, Consumer Finance, Corporate Strategy & Administration, Sallie Mae - 2004 to 2006
  • Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Sallie Mae; President, Student Loan Marketing Association-  1997 to 2004
  • Vice President & Associate General Counsel, Student Loan Marketing Association 1990 to 1997; various other positions - 1985 to 1997

Other Professional and Leadership Experience:

  • Director, Sallie Mae Bank — 2010 to present
  • Board Chair, Building Hope (charter school lender) — 2004 to 2020
  • Board Chair, American College of the Mediterranean — 2018 to present; trustee since 2007
  • Board Chair, American University in Bulgaria — 2008 to 2014; trustee since 2001
  • Finance Committee Chair, EL Haynes Charter School Board of Directors — 2006 to 2012
  • Member, Georgetown University Board of Regents — 2009 to 2015
  • Founding Director, National Student Clearinghouse — 1993 to 2009

Directorship of other public companies:

  • CubeSmart (NYSE: CUBE) - 2007 to 2022; Board Chair - 2018 to 2022

Ms. Keler's legal background and experience in the student loan industry and with Sallie Mae bring valuable perspective to the Board of Directors in the areas of student and consumer lending, legal and corporate governance, and higher education.


Mark L. Lavelle, Director since April 2019

Chief Executive Officer, Maergo

 

Professional Highlights:

  • Chief Executive Officer, Maergo (formerly known as X Delivery) – 2021 to present
  • Chairman and CEO, Deep Lake Capital — 2021 to present
  • Senior Vice President, Commerce Cloud, Adobe Inc. — 2018 to 2019
  • Chief Executive Officer, Magento Commerce — 2015 to 2018
  • Senior Vice President, Product, eBay Enterprise — 2013 to 2015
  • Senior Vice President, Strategy and Partnerships, eBay, Inc. — 2012 to 2013
  • Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, PayPal, Inc. — 2009 to 2012
  • Co-Founder and Vice President, Corporate Development, Bill Me Later, Inc. — 2001 to 2009

Other Professional and Leadership Experience:

  • Director, Sallie Mae Bank — 2019 to present
  • Director, Armada Inc — 2018 to present
  • Director, Second Chance — 2008 to present

Mr. Lavelle’s extensive experience developing and scaling businesses encompassing financial services, commerce, and information technology allows him to provide valuable insight to the Board of Directors in the areas of risk management, strategy, acquisitions and business operations.


Christopher Leech, Director since January 2024

Former Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company

 

Professional Highlights:

  • Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company–2000 to 2023; Partner–1995 to 2000; Associate–1990 to 1995

Other Professional and Leadership Experience:

  • Director, Sallie Mae Bank–2024 to present
  • Board Member, McKinsey & Company–2020 to 2023; Chair of Risk, Audit and Governance Committee–2021 to 2023
  • Board Member, Higher Achievement–2013 to 2021; National Board Chair–2017 to 2021
  • Board Member, Shady Side Academy–2003 to 2012

Mr. Leech’s extensive consulting experience, including advising financial services clients regarding strategy and financial, regulatory, and operational risk management, allows him to provide valuable insight to the Board of Directors on business strategy, operations, and regulatory matters.


Ted Manvitz, Director since March 2021

Managing Director, Grain Management

 

Professional Highlights:

  • Managing Director, Grain Management – 2022 to present
  • Interim Chief Financial Officer, Optimus Ride - 2021
  • Senior Advisor, IHS Holding Limited — 2019 to 2021; Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer — 2018 to 2019; Chief Financial Officer — 2016 to 2018; Chief Investment Officer — 2013 to 2016; Chief Operating Officer — 2011 to 2013; Executive Director, Corporate Finance and M&A — 2010 to 2011
  • Managing Director, Arm Capital Partners — 2009 to 2010
  • Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc. — 2006 to 2009; Vice President — 2004 to 2006; Associate Vice President — 2002 to 2004

Other Professional and Leadership Experience:

  • Director, Sallie Mae Bank — 2021 to present
  • Director, Alares — 2022 to present
  • Senior Advisor, Africell – 2021 to present
  • Adjunct Faculty, American University — 2020 to present

Mr. Manvitz’s extensive experience in the areas of strategic planning and investments, capital allocation, senior executive management, operations, finance, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets allows him to provide valuable insight to the Board of Directors in driving growth, building partnerships, and creating value.


Jim Matheson, Director since March 2015

Chief Executive Officer, NRECA

 

Professional Highlights:

  • Chief Executive Officer, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association - 2016 to present
  • Principal in the Public Policy Practice, Squire Patton Boggs - 2015 to 2016
  • Member of the United States House of Representatives - 2001 to 2015
  • Founder of The Matheson Group - 1999 to 2000
  • Consultant, Energy Strategies, Inc. - 1991 to 1998

Other Professional and Leadership Experience:

  • Director, Sallie Mae Bank - 2015 to present
  • Service on the United States House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee - 2007 to 2015; Science Committee - 2001 to 2011; Financial Services Committee - 2003 to 2007; and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee -  2001 to 2007
  • Chief Deputy Whip for the Democratic Caucus of the United States House of Representatives - 2011 to 2015
  • Board Member, United States Association of Former Members of Congress - 2015 to 2022

Mr. Matheson's extensive experience in public policy and financial services enables him to bring to the Board of Directors a valuable perspective in development of business strategies and on public policy and regulatory matters.


Samuel T. Ramsey, Director since November 2021

Former Chief Risk Officer for Chase, the consumer and small business organization within JP Morgan Chase & Co.

 

Professional Highlights:

  • Chief Risk Officer, Chase, the consumer and small business organization within JP Morgan Chase & Co. – 2011 to 2014
  • Chief Risk Officer, Ally Financial Inc. – 2007 to 2010
  • Chief Financial Officer, Global Corporate and Investment Banking, Bank of America – 2006 to 2007
  • Enterprise Credit and Market Risk Executive, Chief Risk Executive for Global Consumer and Small Business Banking, Enterprise Operational and Market Risk Executive, Bank of America – 2004 to 2006

Other Professional and Leadership Experience:

  • Director, Sallie Mae Bank – 2021 to present
  • Director, Chair of Audit Committee, member of the Compliance and Finance Committees, Ditech Holding Corporation – 2018 to 2019

Mr. Ramsey brings more than 30 years of experience in consumer and commercial banking, with expertise in risk management, finance, treasury, and the capital markets to the Board.


Vivian C. Schneck-Last, Director since March 2015

Former Managing Director, Global Head of Technology Governance, Goldman Sachs & Company

 

Professional Highlights:

  • Managing Director, Global Head of Technology Governance, Goldman Sachs & Company - 2009 to 2014; Managing Director, Global Head of Technology Business Development - 2000 to 2014; Managing Director, Global Head of Technology Vendor Management - 2003 to 2014

Other Professional and Leadership Experience:

  • Director, Sallie Mae Bank - 2015 to present
  • Advisor/Director, Portrait Capital Systems, LLC -  2015 to 2019
  • Advisor Director, Coronet - 2015 to present
  • Director, Bikur Cholim of Manhattan -  2014 to present

Directorships of other public companies:

  • SCVX - 2020 to 2022

Ms. Schneck-Last's strategic technology experience and background in technology governance in the financial services field bring valuable perspective to the Board of Directors in risk management and on a broad range of enterprise technology matters.


Robert S. Strong, Director since April 2014

Former Managing Director, Chairman, Capital Commitments Committee, Bank of America Securities

 

Professional Highlights:

  • Managing Director, Chairman, Capital Commitments Committee, Bank of America Securities - 2006 to 2007; Managing Director, Portfolio Management - 2001 to 2006
  • Executive Vice President, Chief Credit Officer, JP Morgan Chase Bank - 1996 to 2001

Other Professional and Leadership Experience:

  • Director, Sallie Mae Bank - 2014 to present
  • Director, Syncora Guaranty, Inc. - 2018 to 2020
  • Director, Syncora Capital Assurance, Inc. - 2009 to 2017
  • Member, Financial Policy Review Board for the State of New Jersey - 2013 to 2016
  • Director, CamberLink Inc. - 2013 to 2016

Mr. Strong's extensive experience in the banking and financial services industries allows him to provide valuable insight to the Board of Directors in the areas of finance, risk management, portfolio management, and business operations


Jonathan W. Witter, Director Since April 2020

Chief Executive Officer, Sallie Mae

 

Professional Highlights:

  • Chief Executive Officer and Director, Sallie Mae — April 2020 to present
  • Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, Hilton Worldwide Holdings — April 2017 to April 2020
  • President — Retail and Direct Banking, Capital One Financial Corporation — February 2012 to March 2017; President — Retail and Small Business Banking — September 2011 to February 2012; Executive Vice President — Retail Banking — December 2010 to September 2011
  • Chief Operating Officer — Retail Banking Group and President, Morgan Stanley Private Bank — 2009 to December 2010
  • Executive Vice President and Head of General Bank Distribution, Wachovia (now Wells Fargo & Company) — 2004 to 2009

Other Professional and Leadership Experience:

  • Director, Sallie Mae Bank - April 2020 to present

Mr. Witter's extensive background and significant leadership experience in the banking industry and his customer experience expertise allow him to provide business and leadership insight to the Board of Directors in the areas of banking, financial services, capital markets, business operations, and customer service.


Kirsten O. Wolberg, Director since November 2016

Former Chief Technology and Operations Officer, DocuSign

 

Professional Highlights:

  • Chief Technology and Operations Officer, DocuSign - 2017 to 2021
  • Vice President, PayPal Separation Executive, PayPal, Inc. - 2014 to 2017
  • Vice President, Technology, PayPal, Inc. - 2012 to 2014
  • Chief Information Officer, Salesforce.com - 2008 to 2011

Other Professional and Leadership Experience:

  • Director, Sallie Mae Bank - 2016 to present
  • Director, Atlas —2023 to present
  • Director, Epidemic Sound – 2021 to present
  • Director, Pryon – 2021 to present
  • Director, Pie Insurance – 2021 to present
  • Director, Duco Technology Limited — 2020 to 2021
  • Vice President, Corporate Technology, Charles Schwab & Co. - 2001 to 2008
  • Director, Year Up - 2008 to 2021
  • Director, Jewish Vocational Services - 2014 to present

Directorships of other public companies:

  • Silicon Graphics International Corp. - 2016
  • CalAmp Corp — 2020 to present
  • Dynatrace, Inc. — 2021 to present

Ms. Wolberg's extensive experience in information technology for the financial services industry allows her to provide valuable insight to the Board of Directors in the areas of finance, information technology risks, and business operations.