Women To Watch Awards 2026 honors Monica Dillingham Pemberton

Monica Dillingham Pemberton is a nationally recognized technology executive, board leader, and thought leader in digital transformation, equity-centered leadership, and the future of work. She serves as Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the American Council on Education (ACE), where she leads enterprise-wide strategy for cybersecurity, data, artificial intelligence, enterprise systems, and digital modernization across one of the most influential organizations in U.S. higher education.

With more than 25 years of leadership across associations, government, and complex enterprise environments, Monica is known for driving results while centering people. Prior to ACE, she served as Chief Technology Officer of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), where she led large-scale modernization initiatives spanning finance, analytics, CRM, and cloud infrastructure.

Earlier in her career, she held senior consulting and federal leadership roles supporting the General Services Administration (GSA) Office of Citizen Engagement and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Threat Credentialing program, helping transform large public sector technology ecosystems.

At ACE, Monica has led the development of a multi-year IT and digital strategy, an enterprise AI governance model, and organization-wide adoption of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data platforms to better serve institutions, members, and

policymakers. She is a trusted advisor to CEOs, boards, and executive teams

navigating digital risk, innovation, and organizational change, particularly in mission-driven and nonprofit environments.

Monica is also a deeply engaged board and community leader. She is a board member of Nexxt One Academy, supporting workforce and leadership development for the next generation. She is a former board member of the Association of Women Technology Champions (AWTC) and currently serves as Chair of its Scholarship Committee, advancing access and opportunity for women entering technology careers. A former President of the Blacks in Technology (BIT) Alexandria, Virginia chapter and a former mentor with the Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF), Monica has long been committed to guiding and championing the next generation of technologists through mentorship, scholarships, and leadership development.

Her leadership and impact have been recognized nationally. Monica was named a 2025 Women to Watch by Black Leaders Worldwide, a 2025 Distinguished Alumna of the University of Maryland Global Campus, and a 2023 Diversity Women Media Elite 100 Award recipient.

Monica earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Maryland Global Campus and holds the Association AI Professional (AAiP) credential.

Beyond her executive role, Monica is a sought-after speaker, writer, and mentor. Through her ARC Leadership Framework™—centered on Authenticity, Resilience, and Connection—she helps leaders navigate change and lead with integrity. “Technology should elevate people, expand opportunity, and create lasting impact.”