Howard Teibel is the thought leader and founder of Teibel Education Consulting, renowned for his transformative work with higher education institutions, corporations, independent schools, and organizations across the nation. For over three decades, Howard has partnered with universities and colleges to address the most pressing challenges in education, advocating for collaboration between academics, administrators, and boards.

A dynamic keynote speaker, Howard captivates audiences with his insights on the evolving landscape of education, focusing on themes such as navigating change, fostering resilient leadership, and promoting innovative strategies. His keynote presentations have inspired numerous organizations, including the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education-AACTE, the Association of Governing Boards-AGB and National Association of College and University Business Officers - NACUBO.

Howard also hosts the acclaimed podcast, Navigating Change, where he unpacks the complexities of organizational transformation with industry experts. His work includes contributing to the book Redesigning Higher Education: Systemic Integration and Cluster Based Learning, emphasizing systemic approaches to educational reform.

With a background in organizational and personal growth, Howard continues to drive impactful change not only through his consulting work but also as a co-founder of Fathers Forever, supporting those who have experienced the loss of a child.

Howard is a graduate of University of Binghamton and long-time student of many modalities of organizational and professional growth, including the speech act theories of Fernando Flores, the pioneering culture work of Edgar Schein and the transformational programs of the Hoffman Institute.

His extensive experience, coupled with his ability to connect with diverse audiences, positions him as a sought-after speaker and consultant committed to shaping the future of education.

Chris Abayasinghe was appointed Associate Vice President for Finance and Business Operations in July 2024. In this capacity, he has oversight of the planning and execution of financial and business operations functions that support Northeastern’s growing global university system. He is a key financial trajectory strategist, cultivator of business partnerships and operations executive providing leadership to Northeastern Dining, Corporate Sponsorships, Bookstore, Parking, Transportation, Retail Real Estate, Mail, Print, and Auxiliary Enterprises. Further, Abayasinghe engages the University’s lifelong learning and research enterprises in solving challenges for a variety of business partners. He joined in June 2021 as AVP for Business Services.

Prior to Northeastern, Abayasinghe served as Senior Director of Campus Dining and Auxiliary Programs at the University of Notre Dame, where he led the largest staff organization at the university with a budget responsibility in excess of $70 million annually, supported by a team of senior leaders and over 800 staff. In that role, he was challenged to redevelop the business services model, including building a new brand, investing in new facilities, improving financial performance, and positioning the program for service excellence. As a thought partner with Fighting Irish Athletics, Abayasinghe led a series of commercialization activities that built key strategic industry partnerships and enhanced revenue streams. Previously, he held a similar position at Williams College and worked in consulting with Sodexo Services.

He is a Northeastern alum (MBA’13) and along with his wife, Tiranthi, are proud parents of three children. 

As Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services at Boston College, Pat Bando is responsible for the university's enterprise operations that include dining services, catering, athletic concessions, event management, retreat and conference centers, bookstores, vending, campus debit card services, print services, and transportation & parking services. 

The Auxiliary departments have earned local and national recognition for achievements that include: numerous NACUFS awards for Catering, Menu Concept, Wellness & Nutrition, Sustainability and listing amongst Top Dining Halls in the nation; plus a Henry P. Kendall Foundation grant for Local & Sustainable Food Systems. Parking & Transportation Pinnacle Award from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation; and Event Management's Outstanding Institutional Achievement Award from the Association of Collegiate Conference and Event Directors.

Under Pat's leadership of Auxiliary Service (2004-present) and as Dining Services Director of Boston College (1995-2004), she has been recognized with over a dozen prestigious restaurant industry awards including inductee in the Massachusetts Restaurant Association Hall of Fame, Foodservice Operator of the Year, Women of Influence in New England, Ivy Award, National Restaurant Association Spirit Award, IFMA Silver Plate Operator of the Year Award for Colleges and Universities, Leader in Innovation Award, the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation Employer of Choice Award, and the Multicultural Food Service Hospitality Alliance's Strategic Example of Excellence in Diversity Award. 

Pat further contributes to the hospitality and educational sectors via her work on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, MRA Education Foundation Board of Directors, IFMA Advisory Council, and a former trustee of the International Gold and Silver Plate Society. She has served on The Menus of Change University Research Collaborative Board, Non-Commercial Summit Advisory Board, IFMA College & University Council, Pine Manor College Board of Trustees, and frequently called upon to assist as a judge for culinary and operational restaurant competitions.

Prior to her work at Boston College, Pat was Director of Dining at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Her foodservice and hospitality career experience also include Trump Plaza Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey and The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in New York City. A registered dietitian nutritionist, Pat received her Bachelor of Science degree in dietetics from Michigan State University and her Master of Arts degree in food service administration from New York University.

Kristian Klinger, Vice President of Auxiliary Services, joined Boston University in October 2022, bringing over 30 years of servant-leadership experience in hospitality and auxiliary services. Previously, he served as Senior Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services at Syracuse University, overseeing various operations including Dining Services, Housing, Meal Plan, I.D. Card Services, Parking and Transportation Services, Real Estate, Lodging and more.

Prior to Syracuse, Kris spent 11 years as Assistant Vice President of Auxiliary Services at the University of Southern California (USC). He also taught an introduction to foodservice class as part of a Master’s in Dietetics program at the USC Davis School of Gerontology. Kris holds an EdD from USC Rossier School of Education, an MBA from USC Marshall School of Business, and a bachelor’s degree in German and International Relations from USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Science. Additionally, he is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps where he proudly served our country as an air traffic controller.

As Vice President for Auxiliary Services at BU, Kris and his team oversee Food Services and Convenience Stores, Housing, Parking and Transportation, Events & Conferences, Agganis Arena, Fitness & Recreation Center, Barnes & Noble @ BU, Vending Services, and Trademark and Licensing. As Auxiliary Services touches nearly every aspect of university life, Kris and his team collaborate with other campus and community leaders to advance a number of key initiatives in an effort to enhance the living and learning experience for the University’s diverse student population.

Jonathan serves in a dual role as the Director of Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Finance and Business/Treasurer. In this capacity, he coordinates training, development, engagement events, DEIB programs, special projects, strategic planning, and communication for the 7,300 employees in Finance and Business. In addition, he also serves as the Senior Director of Regional Campus Relations in the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses, providing operational support to Penn State Berks, DuBois, Hazleton, Schuylkill, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre. In this role, he collaborates with the chancellors on strategic and master campus planning, administration, space management, facility planning, and government and community relations.

Before this role, Jonathan served as the Director of Business Services and Operations at Penn State Schuylkill, where he was responsible for facilities, operations, information technology, telecommunications, risk management, sustainability, emergency management, conference services, real estate, events, community outreach, local government relations, and acted as the liaison to University Police and Public Safety (UPPS), Housing and Food Services (HFS), and Barnes & Noble.

Jonathan joined Penn State in 2002 as Assistant Director at Penn State Berks. In 2007, he became the Director of Housing and Food Services for Penn State Hazleton, Schuylkill, Wilkes-Barre, and Scranton. In 2017, he assumed the Director of Housing and Food Services position at Penn State Berks, Schuylkill, and Lehigh Valley. In 2021, he was appointed Director of Business Services and Operations at Penn State Schuylkill.

Jonathan has also served as an adjunct faculty member since 2008, teaching courses in Human Resources, Marketing, and Hospitality Facility Operations and Design. He has also served as a guest writer for On-Campus Hospitality Magazine.

Kukta holds a Master of Business Administration from Alvernia University and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Penn State University. He is also a Certified Auxiliary Service Professional (CASP).

Jonathan has been involved with the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) for twenty years and currently serves as the President of the East Region on the Board of Directors. In 2020, he was awarded the association's Rising Star Award, which represents 250 colleges and universities across thirteen U.S. states and Canada. At Penn State, Kukta has received several accolades, including the 2011 Finance and Business Quality Service/Quality People Leadership Award, the 2013 Finance and Business Quality Service/Quality People Coaching and Mentoring Award, the 2015 Penn State Hazleton Student Government Association Service to Student Award, the 2017 HFS William H. Reiber Outstanding Management Award, and the 2017 Penn State Schuylkill Outstanding Alum Award.

In his community, Kukta serves on the Orwigsburg Planning and Zoning Board, the Greater Schuylkill Haven Area Business Association, Schuylkill Haven Unified, and volunteers at the Orwigsburg Public Library.