Announcement from President-Elect Christopher L. Augostini

As I see our students start to arrive for the new academic year, I appreciate their enthusiasm for new beginnings and the promise that comes with them.

I want to share how excited I am, as I prepare to serve as Emory’s president. I’m looking forward to working alongside you as we build on the university’s strengths and advance its mission.

Today I write to share the leadership structure for the Office of the President and provide some context for how it has been designed.

I’ll start with a notable change to the structure. My current position, executive vice president and enterprise chief operating officer, will not be refilled. I believe the enterprise—Emory University and Emory Healthcare—will be best served by empowering and elevating three outstanding senior leaders known for their expertise, collaboration, and experience.

Effective September 1, Pim Thukral will be appointed senior vice president and enterprise chief financial officer; Debby Morey will be appointed senior vice president for enterprise operations; and Robin Morey will serve as senior vice president for enterprise capital planning, real estate, and facilities.

This approach reflects my confidence in the exceptional leadership already in place at Emory and positions us to respond effectively to opportunities and challenges.

With the appointments above, the following individuals will report directly to me and comprise the President’s Cabinet:

• Badia Ahad, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Joon Lee, Executive Vice President for Woodruff Health Sciences and Chief Executive Officer of Emory Healthcare
• Pim Thukral, Senior Vice President and Enterprise Chief Financial Officer
• Debby Morey, Senior Vice President for Enterprise Operations
• Brad Slutsky, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
• Robin Morey, Senior Vice President for Enterprise Capital Planning, Real Estate, and Facilities
• Josh Newton, Senior Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement
• Allison Dykes, Vice President and Secretary of the University
• Cameron Taylor, Vice President for Government and Community Affairs
• Khalia Williams, Interim University Chaplain and Dean of Religious Life

Each of these executive leaders brings deep institutional knowledge, excellent judgment, and a steadfast commitment to Emory’s mission. Together, they will form a collaborative team that will guide work on strategic priorities and support our faculty, staff, students, patients, alumni, and broader community. I have the utmost confidence in them, and I will be relying on them to provide leadership at the highest level.

Additionally, we are beginning a search for a new senior leader for Communications who will serve alongside this team. A formal search announcement will be published in the coming weeks.

Importantly, Lynell Cadray will continue serving as university ombuds and senior adviser to the president, and I have also appointed Justice Leah Ward Sears to serve as a senior adviser.

I am committed to communicating openly as we move forward together. I will be in touch on September 1 to share more about key areas that each of us will engage in to help shape Emory’s future. I am eager to begin that work with you.

Thank you for the warm welcome I have received. It will be a privilege to lead this remarkable institution, and I look forward to all we will accomplish together.

With appreciation,

Christopher L. Augostini
President-Elect, Emory University