Jennifer Brant-Gargan
Chief Information Officer
Vice President of Information Technology
Marc Dencker (he/him)
Enterprise Architect
With over 25 years of experience in the technology industry, Marc Dencker joined Northeastern University and the IT Leadership Team in 2024. As the lead enterprise architect, he’s responsible for the blueprint and roadmap for technology and EA foundational capabilities, aligning business and technology strategy while improving the speed, cost, and quality of data, technology, and engineering solution delivery. Marc helps the institution reduce risk and focus investment on high-value business outcomes. His background includes previous experience as the executive cloud architect at Microsoft and a proven track record of driving digital transformation for Fortune 500 companies across various sectors, including healthcare and life sciences, consumer goods, manufacturing, automotive, and financial services.
Karen McCarthy
Deputy Chief Information Officer
Associate Vice President, IT Operations
Karen McCarthy brings over 20 years of experience managing operations and strategic initiatives into her role at Northeastern University. She’s been a member of the ITS Leadership Team since 2015, working to create and deliver services that enhance learning spaces, student experiences, and operational excellence for the university community. As deputy CIO and associate vice president of information technology and IT operations, she oversees numerous operational and innovative functions, including IT service management, learning and collaboration space technology, IT program and project management, human resources, finance and administration, and D.Studio. Before coming to Northeastern, she held leadership positions at Orion Health and John Hancock Life Insurance Company.
Marcus P. Robinson (he/him)
Deputy Chief Information Officer
Associate Vice President, Experience and Engagement
Marcus Robinson has more than 20 years of experience in private and public higher education. He’s been a member of Northeastern’s ITS Leadership Team since 2019, first as associate vice president of engagement and experience and more recently as deputy CIO. In these roles, he counsels the CIO, IT leaders, and other university stakeholders in key decisions for advancing the university’s goals, priorities, strategic direction, and mission. His portfolio at Northeastern includes web strategy and governance, IT communication, IT customer experience, and digital university solutions. He has extensive experience at other world-class institutions of higher education, including the University of Chicago, Penn State University, and the University of Dayton.
Lisa Soto
Associate Vice President, Infrastructure
Lisa Soto joined Northeastern University as associate vice president for infrastructure in January 2024, bringing over 35 years of experience in technology and operations. In her current role, she’s responsible for delivering value to the global university and its community through reliable and efficient infrastructure solutions, including identity and access management, network and communications infrastructure, and cloud and server infrastructure. Working collaboratively with the rest of the IT Leadership Team, Lisa helps drive digital transformation, streamline processes, and enhance efficiency. She’s led teams and initiatives with leading companies, including John Hancock, Eversource, and IBM, and has a proven track record of designing and managing large-scale hybrid technology environments, transforming operations, and aligning IT strategies with business goals.