Dr. Lisa Biagas

Dr. Lisa Biagas is the Chief Operating Officer at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), where she provides strategic and operational leadership for one of the nation’s most storied art schools and museums. A strategic and hands-on leader, Dr. Biagas is recognized for her expertise in organizational effectiveness, institutional transformation, and building inclusive workplace cultures that align people, policies, and mission.

With more than two decades of leadership in higher education and cultural institutions, Dr. Biagas has successfully guided organizations through leadership transitions, new strategic plans, accreditation processes, and complex operational shifts. Her work enlivens a culture of transparency, equity, and continuous learning, ensuring that institutions adapt and thrive in times of change.

Prior to joining PAFA, Dr. Biagas served in senior leadership roles at the Roosevelt Institute and FDR Presidential Library and Museum, Georgian Court University, New York University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Princeton University. In these positions, she oversaw strategic planning, human resources, institutional effectiveness, advancement, finance and administration, and other critical operations. She has also advised boards and search committees during presidential transitions, ensuring seamless leadership and executive onboarding.

Dr. Biagas earned her doctorate in Higher Education Management, an MBA, and an MS in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a BA in Psychology from Temple University. She also holds certifications in human resources, leadership, executive coaching, and project management. Her doctoral research applied positive psychology principles to presidential leadership, reflecting her commitment to cultivating resilient, values-driven organizations.