Christopher T. Brett brings over 25 years of clinical research and development expertise to his current role, leading Global Trial Management for Hematology, Oncology, and Cell Therapy at Bristol Myers Squibb. In this senior leadership role, he oversees the operational planning, management and delivery of  more than 200 clinical trials across 40 assets in all phases of development. 

Brett’s career spans roles at the Medical Center of Delaware, Merck, Celgene and prestigious research institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. His initial introduction to clinical research was through the University of Delaware’s Medical Scholars Program via the mentorship of Raelene Maser and G. Stephen DeCherney. He holds a bachelor of arts in English from the University of Delaware.

Brett resides in coastal Monmouth County, New Jersey, with his wife (also a UD alumna, CEHD ‘95), daughter and son. He is an active community volunteer and serves on the board of directors/board of trustees for two local non-profit organizations. In his free time, Brett enjoys outdoor activities and life by the Jersey shore.

Jessica Intihar oversees a global team that manages all aspects of digital marketing for Disney Live Action, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Searchlight Pictures and 20th Century Studios theatrical and streaming titles. Her purview also includes Disney+ digital brand, as well as award campaigns.

Driven by a passion for creating comprehensive initiatives to connect with fans, Intihar has overseen the theatrical campaigns for several billion-dollar franchise films across the Disney catalog, including the recent live-action Lilo and Stich, Avatar: The Way of Water, Frozen 2, The Lion King (2019) Aladdin (2019), Avengers: Endgame, Black Panther and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Intihar has created, developed and programmed digital content to capture the zeitgeist for all social platforms, including YouTube and TikTok, culminating in innovative campaigns. Her Disney career began in 2010 when she joined as director, digital marketing. Her prior positions have included various digital strategy roles for both brand and direct campaigns at companies like Trailer Park, a global leader in entertainment and marketing production, along with 20th Century Fox and the advertising agency Grey San Francisco. 

Intihar is an alumna of the University of Delaware where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English.

Since 2015, Karen A. Stout has served as president and CEO of Achieving the Dream (ATD), leading a network of over 300 community colleges working to become profoundly accessible hubs of learning, credentialing and economic mobility that eliminate inequities in educational and workforce outcomes. ATD’s capacity building and coaching supports have reached more than 500 primarily open access institutions, including a large number of minority-serving institutions (MSIs) and tribal colleges and universities. Prior to joining ATD, Stout was president of Montgomery County Community College (PA) for nearly 15 years. 

Stout has received national recognition for her achievements and accomplishments in higher education innovation and leadership. In 2025 she was awarded the Diverse Champion Award by Diverse Issues in Higher Education. In 2022, she was awarded the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Leadership Award and entered the organization’s Hall of Fame.In 2023 she was recognized by the Harford County Historical Society as one of 50 most Notable Athletes in the 250-year history of the county. 

She currently serves as chair of the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research Advisory Board at North Carolina State University, as co-chair of the University of Maryland Global Campus Doctorate of Management in Community College Policy and Administration Advisory Board, and is a member of the Community College Research Center Advisory Board at Teacher’s College Columbia University. In 2022, Stout was confirmed by the Senate to serve a six-year term as a member of the National Council on the Humanities.

A double Blue Hen, Stout earned her bachelor’s degree in English in 1982 and her doctorate in educational leadership in 1995. She  was inducted to the University’s Alumni Wall of Fame in 2005 and received the University’s Presidential Citation for Outstanding Achievement in 2012.  While an undergraduate, Stout was a four-year starter in field hockey and softball, interned in the Sports Information Office and was a co-editor of the sports section of The Review.

A member of Goldey-Beacom College’s academic community since 2005, Joel Worden currently serves as provost and vice president for academic affairs. In this role, he oversees academic programs, faculty development, accreditation and student success initiatives.

Worden holds a bachelor of science from Houghton University, and he earned both an M.A. and Ph.D. in English from the University of Delaware. His career reflects a deep commitment to teaching and learning, having taught English and communication courses for many years before moving into academic leadership.

He also worked for several years as executive speech coach, writer and communication consultant for several entities, including a Chicago-based publishing company, Amtrak, the state of Delaware and an international snack food company.

His experiences, in and out of the classroom, helping learners discover the power of language remain central to his work today, as he continues that mission on a broader scale, supporting faculty, fostering innovation and ensuring students have the tools to thrive.

In his work, Worden promotes effective collaboration, honest communication and transformational education.