Rochester Institute of Technology announces the appointment of three accomplished professionals to its Board of Trustees

Rochester, New York – Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Trustees, each bringing a unique blend of professional experience, personal connection to the university, and deep commitment to RIT’s future. Jane Elliott, Brenda Haynes, and Chance Wright will serve four-year terms on the board, helping guide strategic decisions and shaping the university’s long-term vision.

The three new trustees come from varied professional backgrounds, including human resources, medicine, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. Their appointments reflect RIT’s continued focus on innovation, leadership, and community impact.

Jane Elliott: A Strategic Leader with Roots in Business and Philanthropy

Jane Elliott ’88, who earned her degree in accounting from RIT, currently serves as executive vice president and chief human resources officer at NCR Voyix. With extensive experience in accounting, finance, investor relations, and corporate strategy, Elliott has built a career leading people-first initiatives at major companies. Her current role centers on executing people strategy to support business growth—a priority increasingly relevant in higher education leadership.

Beyond her corporate role, Elliott has been an active and generous RIT alumna. She has served on the RIT President’s Roundtable since 2019 and helped launch the Saunders College of Business National Council in 2022. Her support for RIT also includes philanthropy: in 2017, she established the Jane M. Wentworth ’88 Endowed Scholarship at Saunders College and contributed to the college’s expansion project in 2020.

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Elliott’s service extends into community organizations as well. She has served on the boards of Junior Achievement of Georgia and Cool Girls, a nonprofit empowering young girls in underserved Atlanta neighborhoods.

Dr. Brenda Haynes: A Medical Professional and Dedicated RIT Parent

Dr. Brenda Haynes brings decades of experience in oncology and hematology to the board. She trained at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed her residency, internship, and fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. While she has retired from active practice, she still holds affiliations with Harvard Medical School and Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

Dr. Haynes is also closely tied to the RIT community as the parent of a second-year civil engineering technology student. Together with her husband, Dr. Adam Koppel, she is a member of RIT’s Sentinel Society and has been a steady supporter of several university programs, particularly in the College of Engineering Technology and the College of Health Sciences and Technology. Her involvement also extends to student project teams.

In addition to her support for RIT, Haynes volunteers with several nonprofit organizations, underscoring her passion for service and community impact.

Chance Wright: Entrepreneur and Advocate for Tech Equity

Chance Wright, a 2018 graduate in photographic and imaging arts and 2019 MBA graduate, brings energy and entrepreneurial insight to the board. As a serial entrepreneur, Wright has founded or co-founded a number of ventures, including Wright Productions and Entertainment, ATL/WYO Productions, and Skull Diamond and Heart Capital. He is also the founder of The Shore Foundation, a Rochester-based nonprofit focused on bridging the digital divide by increasing access to technology while promoting environmental sustainability.

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Wright has remained closely connected to RIT since graduation. He joined the President’s Roundtable in 2020 and has served on the College of Art and Design’s National Council since 2021. He and his mother, Pamela Mars-Wright, made a generous gift to the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences in 2019. In 2021, Wright also supported the renovation and expansion of the Saunders College of Business, reinforcing his commitment to the university’s future.

Guiding RIT’s Next Chapter

With the addition of Elliott, Haynes, and Wright, RIT continues to strengthen its leadership base with individuals who not only excel in their fields but also share a personal commitment to the university’s mission. Their combined expertise across industries and their ties to RIT—whether as alumni, parents, or partners—are expected to bring valuable perspectives to the Board of Trustees.

“Elliott, Haynes, and Wright will each serve four-year terms on the board.”

As RIT advances its goals in research, technology, and student success, the university’s leadership remains focused on bringing in voices that represent its diverse and forward-thinking community. These new trustees reflect that vision and will play a key role in helping RIT shape its next era of growth and impact.