Maeesha Merchant is an experienced C-level executive, an angel and real estate investor, and a startup and venture board advisor. She has over 18 years of strategy, financial and operational management experience and currently serves as the EVP, Chief Financial Officer and VP of Business Development at the Colburn School, a leading performing arts educational institution. In addition to managing School’s finances and operations, she is also responsible for the development of Colburn School’s historic Frank-Gehry-designed performance hall and dance school in Downtown Los Angeles, and the management of the School’s investment pool and endowment funds.

Prior to Colburn, Maeesha was the SVP of Finance and Operations, CFO and Chief Innovation Officer at California Institute of the Arts, CalArts. In her role as CFO|SVP she oversaw global initiatives, finance and accounting, analytics and IT, operations, facilities and HR. In addition, she was responsible for strategic planning and innovating new business models.

Prior to CalArts, Maeesha was a management consultant and innovator. She has experience across multiple states, countries, and industries. At Deloitte, she led successful business transformation efforts for higher education and state governments. Through Deloitte’s innovation arm, Maeesha worked on the future of multiple industries including automotive, professional services, and fintech, including working with the startup ecosystem. Prior to Deloitte, Maeesha worked for (Mercer) Oliver Wyman as a financial services strategy consultant across Asia, Europe, and America.

Maeesha is passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship and founded her own education technology startup and served clients in Asia. She has also worked with the XPRIZE Foundation.

Maeesha graduated Magna Cum Laude from the prestigious Jerome Fisher Management and Technology Program at the University of Pennsylvania with three degrees in Finance, Biomedical Science & International Relations.