Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the university, announced on Friday, Sept. 25 that Anand Padmanabhan was appointed as Fordham’s new vice president and chief information officer (CIO). 

Padmanabhan holds an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business, an MS in computer science from Louisiana State University and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Madras University. 

Most recently, Padmanabhan was the chief technology officer at Whittle Management. He led an initiative to develop technology strategies to support a multi-site, multi-country private K-12 education system in China and the United States. 

Before that, he worked as the senior vice president and CIO for The New School, leading a staff of 120 people supporting all aspects of academic, research and administrative computing for five years. Padmanabhan also served as CIO for Everonn Education’s higher education business unit in India, the Shiv Nadar Foundation, the Stern School of Business and Hunter College of the City University of New York, according to the email. 

“He comes to Fordham with a rich and varied background in the area of academic technology,” read the email from McShane. 

The email said Martha K. Hirst, senior vice president and chief financial officer, formed and chaired a 13-person search committee to fill this position in February of 2020. This committee had both faculty and students on it. 

“Among a highly-qualified pool, he stood out for his innovative thinking, multi-industry, global technology leadership experience and accomplishments enabling transformation through technology,” read McShane’s email. “He embodies Fordham’s values and is well-regarded by his colleagues in the institutions where he has served and in the community of information technology professionals for his transparency, work ethic and collaborative nature.” 

McShane said he was ranked highest by both the faculty and the information technology staff for his ability to strategically lead the IT organization based on feedback surveys from members of the Fordham community. 

“I believe that Mr. Padmanabhan’s creativity, collaborative leadership style and extensive experience in multiple industries, countries, and cultures are ideally suited for dealing with the many challenges presented to higher educational institutions by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said McShane. 

McShane thanked the members of the search committee and Shaya Phillips, the interim CIO. 

“[Thank you] for his [Phillips’] capable, consultative, collaborative and tireless leadership, especially during these past seven months, as the entire University community adjusted to and overcame the challenges created by the pandemic,” read the email.