Lisa W. Wardell

Lisa W. Wardell is the Chairman of Adtalem Global Education Inc.

Adtalem Global Education is a prominent global education provider and the parent organization of several institutions, including Adtalem Educacional do Brasil (IBMEC, Damásio, and Wyden institutions), American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, Becker Professional Education, Chamberlain University, EduPristine, Ross University School of Medicine, and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Adtalem is a member of the S&P MidCap 400 Index.

Having served as President and CEO from 2016 until her recent role transition to Chairman, Wardell continues to influence the strategic direction of the company. She is recognized for having been the only African-American female CEO in the S&P MidCap 400 Index during her tenure. Under her leadership, Adtalem made significant strides in promoting diversity and inclusion, increasing the gender and ethnic diversity on its board to 67%.

Before her leadership at Adtalem, Wardell was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for The RLJ Companies—a diversified holding company with interests in various sectors. Here, she was instrumental in managing the portfolio and leading major initiatives, including strategic partnerships and mergers and acquisitions. Notably, she played a key role at RLJ McLarty Landers Automotive, which became the largest minority automotive dealership in the U.S.

Wardell's extensive experience extends beyond corporate leadership. She is a respected voice in discussions on female leadership, CEO insights, and empowerment through education, having spoken at events like the Bloomberg Breakaway CEO Summit, WSJ Women in the Workplace Forum, and the Arizona State University + Global Silicon Valley Summit. Moreover, she has been featured in a variety of high-profile publications, including "The Wall Street Journal," "Washington Post," and on networks like CNBC.

In addition to her executive roles, Wardell serves as a board member for American Express and GIII Apparel Group, Ltd., and holds the position of Vice Chair on the executive committee of The Business Council and the Kennedy Center Corporate Fund. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Lowe’s Home Improvement and is a member of several influential groups, including the Executive Leadership Council, CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion, and the Fortune CEO Initiative.

Educationally, Wardell is well-prepared; she earned her bachelor’s degree from Vassar College, her law degree from Stanford Law School, and her master’s degree in finance and entrepreneurial management from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Among several accolades, she has been recognized as one of the “300 Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America” by Black Enterprise magazine and has appeared on Savoy Magazine’s Power 300: Most Influential Black Corporate Directors list.