Foundation Leadership
Dr. Colin M. Coyne, Ed.D., M.M.
Director, President, and Chairman of the Board
Colin Coyne is the Vice President for Finance and Business Affairs at Samford University where he oversees all facets of the University’s financial, accounting, investment, asset management, human resources, information technology, internal audit, institutional compliance, business affairs, campus planning, construction, facilities management, public safety and business affairs functions. Dr. Coyne serves on the university’s Executive Leadership Team, the President’s Cabinet, the University Council (past Chair) and represents university administration on the Business & Financial Affairs, Operations & Planning, Audit and Investment Committees of the Board of Trustees. With work spanning 19 countries, 35 years and multiple industry sectors, Dr. Coyne most recently served as Chief Strategy Officer at Samford for nine years prior to his current appointment. Dr. Coyne’s career includes extensive experience at the executive level for and within private and publicly organizations in the areas of corporate strategy, internationalization, finance, marketing, investment structuring, capital formation, operations, real estate, sustainability and turnarounds.
Dr. Coyne earned his doctorate in higher education leadership and policy from Vanderbilt University; his MBA degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University with concentrations in Marketing, Finance and International Business; and his bachelor of science in Economics and Business Administration from Vanderbilt University.
Christopher J. McCaghren, Ed.D.
Director
Dr. Chris McCaghren served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs, Office of Postsecondary Education from 2023 to 2025. Prior to rejoining the Department of Education, he most recently served as the CEO of Higher Education Solutions, a full-service higher education consulting firm. During the first Trump Administration, Dr. McCaghren served as Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs where he oversaw the distribution of more than $36 billion in pandemic relief funding to more than 5,100 institutions of higher education. Dr. McCaghren previously served as the Executive Vice President and Provost at the University of Mobile, Dean of the College of Education at Anderson University, and as Assistant to the President for External Programs and Division Head for the Division of Career and Continuing Studies at Samford University.
Dr. McCaghren holds a doctorate from Vanderbilt University in higher education leadership and policy, a master of theological studies from Beeson Divinity School, and a double major undergraduate degree in communication studies and classics from Samford University.
Mary-Suzanne Powell
Director
Mary-Suzanne Powell served as Chief Commercial Officer at Johnson Controls with direct responsibility for more than $16 billion in annual global revenue. Ms. Powell led a team of global experts who provide customers with a complete set of operating solutions comprised of a collection of data platforms, digital solutions, applications and building systems.
Ms. Powell’s past experience includes leading business activities specialized in energy, construction, and smart technology for the higher education, K-12, state and local government, healthcare, hospitality, and commercial buildings industries. She has held leadership positions in multiple not-for-profit, community, and charitable organizations including Junior League; the Spirit of 67 Foundation, Home Safe and Place of Hope, the School District of Palm Beach County Independent Referendum Oversight Committee, The Education Foundation, and the Economic Council of Palm Beach County.
Ms. Powell earned her bachelor’s degree in economics and international relations from The University of Virginia.
Lisa Sharp, J.D.
Director and Secretary of the Board
Lisa Sharp joined PulteGroup in January 2024 to oversee key compliance initiatives, help ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulatory requirements, and company policies, and assist with standardizing human resources processes and procedures. Ms. Sharp joined PulteGroup from Southern Company, where she held roles as Senior Counsel – Employee Relations and most recently as Shared Services Compliance Director. Prior to joining Southern Company, Ms. Sharp was a partner with Balch & Bingham LLP where she practiced from 1999-2015. Ms. Sharp is an inaugural recipient of the Audrey Gaston Howard Award at the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and served on the board of overseers at Samford University.
Ms. Sharp earned her BS from Auburn University – Montgomery in Justice & Public Safety and her law degree from the Cumberland School of Law, Samford University.