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Internet2 Welcomes New Leaders to Its Board of Trustees

On November 20, 2025, Internet2, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing technology in higher education, announced significant changes to its Board of Trustees. These developments include the election of a new trustee, the re-election of its board vice chair, and the appointment of five additional trustees, all aimed at providing enhanced leadership and strategic direction for the organization.

Key Appointments and Re-elections

During the annual election held this fall, Bret Blackman, the Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at the University of Nebraska System, was elected as a new trustee. Alongside him, Cynthia Larive, Chancellor of the University of California, Santa Cruz, was re-elected as vice chair for an additional term. Both will commence three-year terms starting November 1, 2025.

The board also reappointed three trustees who will continue their service from November 1, 2025, to October 31, 2028. These individuals include:

• - Elias Eldayrie, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at the University of Florida.
• - Mary Lou D. Ortiz, Chief Financial Officer and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at the University of California, Irvine.
• - Dan Reed, Presidential Professor in Computational Science (Emeritus) at the University of Utah.

Moreover, to fill mid-term vacancies earlier this year, M. Brian Blake, President of Georgia State University, was appointed as a representative starting from July 30, 2025, while Aimee Heeter, Senior Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, will represent for a term beginning August 1, 2025.

Tripti Sinha has transitioned into the ex officio seat of Internet2 President and CEO after previously holding an elected network representative seat. This movement marks a continued emphasis on strong leadership and governance within the board, reinforcing Internet2's commitment to its mission and the community it serves.

Acknowledging Outgoing Trustees' Contributions

Internet2 also took the opportunity to recognize the service of its outgoing trustees, whose leadership has been pivotal to the organization's growth and success. The departing trustees include:

• - Santa Ono, former President of the University of Michigan.
• - Howard Pfeffer, former President and CEO of Internet2.
• - Steve Relyea, Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer Emeritus for the California State University.
• - Sean Reynolds, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at Northwestern University.
• - Satish Tripathi, President of the University at Buffalo.

The outgoing members have significantly contributed to strengthening Internet2's mission, allowing it to continue advancing the higher education landscape and its technology initiatives.

About Internet2

Founded in 1996 by a consortium of the nation’s leading higher education institutions, Internet2 has grown into a member-driven organization that supports over 336 universities, along with government agencies and regional education networks. With more than 80,000 community anchor institutions and numerous corporate partners, Internet2 is at the forefront of technology solutions that enhance educational and research efforts across the globe. Its infrastructure includes the nation's largest and fastest research and education network, facilitating custom services and programs that benefit its community.

For further details about the Internet2 Board of Trustees and its initiatives, please visit Internet2's official site.