Monica Dillingham Pemberton is the Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the American Council on Education (ACE), where she leads enterprise technology strategy, cybersecurity, data and analytics, AI governance, and digital transformation initiatives in support of ACE’s mission and member community. Before joining ACE, Monica served as Chief Technology Officer at the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), where she led significant modernization efforts and strengthened technology governance and service delivery.

With more than 25 years of experience in technology leadership across associations and the federal consulting space, Monica is known for aligning technology with organizational strategy, strengthening operational resilience, and guiding organizations through complex change. Her work spans infrastructure modernization, cloud transformation, CRM and data governance, and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Monica is an active leader and contributor within the technology and association communities. She serves as Chair of the Association of Women Technology Champions (AWTC) Scholarship Committee and is a former AWTC Board member. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to developing talent, expanding access, and strengthening pathways into technology careers.

Monica’s commitment to equity and leadership in technology has been widely recognized. She was named a 2025 Top Women to Watch by Black Leaders Worldwide and a 2023 recipient of the Diversity Women Media Elite 100 award. Beyond recognition, she is a dedicated mentor to Black and Brown students and early-career professionals, investing in the next generation of leaders. Her passion for leveraging technology for impact and inclusion continues to shape the intersection of information technology, higher education, and associations.