Stephanie Akunvabey

About Stephanie Akunvabey

I am an equity-minded executive with a profound dedication to service, gratitude, and lifelong learning. Currently serving as Associate Vice President of Opportunity & Institutional Excellence at Pace University, I am passionate about driving transformative change and fostering environments where people and organizations can thrive. With over 15 years of experience leading large-scale initiatives across complex, mission-driven organizations, my work focuses on translating strategy into execution. I partner with senior leaders to align priorities, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and build the systems that enable teams to deliver meaningful, measurable results. I bring a systems-oriented approach to leadership, with experience guiding cross-functional teams, managing multi-year initiatives, and navigating moments of complexity that require clarity, adaptability, and disciplined decision-making. My background includes securing and stewarding multimillion-dollar investments, launching new organizational structures, and embedding data-informed practices that support long-term impact. I am often called upon to step into evolving environments where alignment and execution are critical—helping organizations move from intention to impact while staying grounded in their mission and values.If you’re interested in discussing how my background and vision align with your organizational goals, I’d love to connect. Feel free to reach out to me here on LinkedIn or email me directly at s••••••••@sakysolutions.com. Let’s explore how we can collaborate to make a lasting impact.

Experience

1. Associate Vice President for Opportunity & Institutional Excellence

   Pace University

   Aug 2025 — Present

   Leverage expertise in change management, organizational theory, and crisis recovery to build support and drive momentum for the university\'s strategic goal of supporting socially, culturally and economically diverse populations.

Education

• New York University

  M.A., Higher Education Administration

  2007 — 2009

• Agnes Scott College

  B.A., Sociology/Anthropology

  2003 — 2007

• New York University

  Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Higher Education

  2015 — 2018