Dr. Lola Brown is a transformative leader dedicated to fostering innovation, collaboration, and success across multiple disciplines. Known for her ability to solve complex problems and inspire growth, she brings a holistic approach to leadership that integrates her diverse experiences in higher education, STEM advocacy, and cultural awareness.

With a career spanning decades, Dr. Brown has led organizations through times of transformational change, advancing STEM initiatives, and conducting impactful research. She is currently the Senior Vice President and Vice Dean for Strategic Initiatives at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, which serves as the academic core of Advocate Health. Dr. Brown is also Chief of Staff to the Dean and Chief Academic Officer. She has head previous senior leadership roles at Weill Cornell Medicine and The City College of New York.

Dr. Brown has interdisciplinary training, including a bachelor’s degree in biology (Brown University), a master’s degree in biomedical engineering (Georgia Tech and Emory University), and a PhD in biochemistry (HHMI at UMBC and NSF Graduate Research Fellow). She completed her training as a postdoctoral fellow at Yale University. These experiences have shaped Lola’s dynamic and effective approach to leadership and building successful teams.

An engaging speaker, Dr. Brown has delivered talks at prestigious institutions such as Yale University, Harvard University, and Becton Dickinson. She serves on the Board of Trustees at Englewood Health and the Advisory Committee for the College at Brown University.