The CCBO Leadership Academy is more than a pre-conference program. It’s an immersive leadership experience designed to prepare current and aspiring community college business officers for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Held September 21–22, 2026, at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, the Academy features two full days of interactive education focused on developing the leadership knowledge and practical skills needed to thrive in today’s community college business and operations environment.
The CCBO Leadership Academy is guided by Dean Paige Childs and Assistant Dean Chris Murphy, two accomplished higher education business leaders who bring decades of experience and a shared commitment to developing future leaders in the community college sector.
Paige Childs serves as Vice President of Business, Finance, and Facilities Management at Piedmont Technical College, where she oversees finance, financial aid, facilities, information technology, grants, procurement, and campus security. A Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant, she brings leadership experience across higher education and industry and currently serves as Dean of the CCBO Leadership Academy.
Chris Murphy serves as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Northeast Mississippi Community College, where he leads the college’s finance, accounting, and budgeting operations. A licensed Certified Public Accountant with nearly 25 years of experience, including 18 years in public accounting focused on governmental and nonprofit organizations, Chris serves as Assistant Dean of the CCBO Leadership Academy.
In addition to engaging educational sessions, participants will enjoy valuable networking opportunities with peers and experienced leaders, along with two breakfasts, two lunches, and a networking reception.
First-year enrollment includes registration for both the 2026 and 2027 Leadership Academy and Annual Conference, making it an investment in your long-term professional growth. Member registration is $1,815, non-member registration is $2,065, and second-year participants may attend at no cost with registration.
Take a closer look at the dynamic sessions and accomplished leaders who will guide this year’s Leadership Academy experience.
Leading Change: The Human Side of Transformation
Successful transformation requires more than managing change, it requires leading it. Join executive technology leader Bernice Green for a practical session that explores the shift from change management to change leadership, providing a framework for guiding strategic, tactical, and operational transformation.
Participants will gain actionable strategies for building support, communicating effectively, measuring adoption, and connecting organizational change to meaningful business outcomes.
With more than 25 years of experience in higher education and professional services, Bernice serves as a Director at Ferrilli and is a former Chief Information Officer. She is a trusted advisor to executive leaders, helping institutions align strategy with execution, navigate complex change, and maximize the value of their technology investments through sustainable, people-centered solutions.
What is Leadership? Leadership is a Choice Before it is a Position
Is leadership defined by a title, or is it something we choose every day? In this engaging and thought-provoking session, Dr. Carmelitia Coleman challenges participants to rethink what it means to lead, exploring how influence, character, and purpose inspire others to follow. Through leadership insights, real-world examples, and interactive discussion, attendees will leave with a renewed perspective on leadership as a daily practice and the confidence to make a greater impact, regardless of their role.
With more than 25 years of experience in higher education and the corporate sector, Dr. Coleman serves as Director of Culture, Engagement, and Talent Development for Illumia, where she leads initiatives focused on client experience, employee engagement, talent development, and organizational effectiveness. She has guided large-scale operational and organizational initiatives throughout her career and also serves her community as Mayor Pro Tem and Town Commissioner, bringing a unique perspective on leadership in both professional and public service.
Build Your Leadership Foundation: Fundamentals of the Chief Business Officer Role
Stepping into a Chief Business Officer role requires far more than financial expertise. Today’s CBOs are strategic leaders who help shape their institutions’ direction by overseeing critical operations, building strong executive partnerships, and supporting student success through sound decision-making.
The Fundamentals of the Chief Business Officer Role session at the CCBO Leadership Academy provides attendees with a comprehensive introduction to the breadth and complexity of this essential leadership position. Tailored for those preparing for their first leadership role or looking to expand their understanding of college administration, this session offers valuable insights into what it takes to lead with confidence.
Participants will gain a clearer understanding of the CBO’s diverse responsibilities and explore how the role intersects with every area of campus operations. From finance and financial aid to facilities, human resources, information technology, campus police, and departmental compliance, attendees will learn how these functions work together to support institutional success. The session will also highlight the importance of cultivating strong relationships with executive leadership and collaborating across departments to achieve strategic goals.
Leading the session is Dianne Duron, Associate Vice Chancellor of Finance at San Jacinto College and CCBO Region 4 Representative on the Board of Directors. Throughout her career, Dianne has built extensive experience across higher education and K-12 finance, serving in leadership positions that include Director of Financial Planning, Analysis and Budget at San Jacinto College, Chief Financial Officer for Cedar Hill ISD, and Business Manager at La Marque ISD.
Earlier in her career, Dianne spent more than a decade at College of the Mainland, where she served as the payroll lead and played a key role in the institution’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) migration and implementation. Her broad operational experience and practical leadership perspective make her uniquely qualified to guide attendees through the realities of today’s Chief Business Officer role.
This foundational session offers more than an overview of responsibilities. It provides attendees with the leadership perspective needed to understand how successful CBOs influence institutional strategy, foster collaboration across campus, and navigate the complex operational landscape of community colleges. Whether you’re aspiring to become a CBO or seeking a broader understanding of college leadership, you’ll leave with a stronger appreciation for the role and the skills needed to excel.
College Operations: What a CBO Needs to Know about Other Departments
As the current President of the CCBO, Maderia Ellison understands that an institution’s greatest successes happen when every department works toward a common purpose. In this insightful session, she will examine the interconnected roles of Academic Affairs, Student Services, and Workforce Development, highlighting how stronger collaboration can improve institutional effectiveness and better support student success.
Attendees will gain practical strategies for breaking down organizational silos, fostering cross-functional leadership, and aligning priorities to meet the evolving needs of students, employers, and their communities.
Maderia serves as Vice President of Administrative Services and CFO at Northland Pioneer College, where she oversees finance, budget, procurement, facilities, and administrative operations. A Certified Public Accountant, U.S. Navy veteran, and former Fortune 500 executive, she is recognized for her expertise in financial leadership, organizational improvement, and process management. Her contributions to higher education earned her CCBO’s Chief Business Officer of the Year award in 2018, and today she continues to champion innovation and collaboration as President of the association.
Challenges and Best Practices of a CBO
Join two accomplished higher education leaders, CCBO Past President John Pitcher and CCBO Vice President of Regional Services Michael McCarthy, for a candid discussion on the realities of serving as a Chief Business Officer.
Designed for current and aspiring leaders, this session explores the critical responsibilities of the CBO role, including ethical decision-making, financial transparency, relationship management, and the balance between providing constructive challenge and supporting institutional priorities.
Drawing from decades of executive leadership, John and Michael will share practical insights, real-world experiences, and best practices that attendees can apply to strengthen their own leadership and navigate the complexities of today’s community college environment.
John Pitcher serves as Vice President of Administration and Finance at Bunker Hill Community College and is a Certified Public Accountant with an extensive record of leadership in higher education finance. In addition to serving as CCBO’s Past President, he has led multiple state community college business officer associations and remains active in several national higher education organizations.
Michael McCarthy is Executive Vice President, CFO, and COO at Northern Essex Community College, where he oversees finance, technology, facilities, public safety, auxiliary services, and athletics. His leadership has guided major campus renovations, strategic planning initiatives, and innovative capital projects that continue to advance the college’s long-term vision.
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