Jess Evans, a veteran technology executive with extensive experience in institutional and operational strategy, has been named chief information officer for Vanderbilt University, Brett Sweet, vice chancellor for finance, information technology and chief financial officer, announced today. Evans will begin in the role on Nov. 7.
Evans joins the Vanderbilt community from Arizona State University, where she has served as chief operating officer for information technology and deputy chief information officer since July 2018. Prior to that she was executive director for IT at Case Western Reserve University from 2009 to 2018.
Vanderbilt’s chief information officer is the senior leader responsible for the coordination of the information technology function across the university. The CIO is charged with providing strategic and operational leadership throughout the enterprise in all aspects of information technology planning that advance the Vanderbilt mission and facilitate the operation of the university.
“Jess Evans’ proven track record of collaborating with university leaders to optimize IT practices with an eye toward continuous improvement will greatly strengthen our ongoing efforts to build the best team in higher education,” Sweet said. “Jess is a creative thinker and champion of inclusive culture whose ability to develop and inspire teams will help us meet our goals of delivering high-value, cost-effective technology solutions for all departments and units across Vanderbilt.
“I’d also like to thank Rich Germano for serving as interim CIO since April 2021,” Sweet said. “Rich is a trusted colleague whose capable leadership across many roles in VUIT and Administration over his long tenure at Vanderbilt has been invaluable to the university.”
Evans holds a Ph.D. in management in designing sustainable systems from Case Western Reserve University and was named a Design and Innovation Fellow at Case’s Weatherhead School of Management. She has a bachelor of business administration in computer information systems from Kent State University.
She was named among the Most Influential Women in Tech for 2022 by World’s Leaders magazine and to the Top 100 Women in Technology for 2021 by Technology magazine. Evans previously held IT management positions at Ohio Savings Bank in Cleveland, Ohio, and leadership roles at IBM in Research Triangle, North Carolina.
“I’m thrilled to join the Vanderbilt community and share my vision for the university’s IT programs, priorities and investments,” Evans said. “Together we will advance innovation and transform digital initiatives across the university.”