Pelema Ellis

Executive Vice President - Head | Higher Education Practice

Pelema Ellis is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in higher education and leadership roles across various institutions. Currently serving as Executive Vice President and Head of the Higher Education Practice at CBIZ since July 2025, Pelema previously held a partnership position at Buffkin / Baker, a leading retained executive search firm specializing in higher education, where significant contributions were made to over 850 successful searches for prominent educational institutions. Pelema's career includes pivotal roles such as Vice Provost at the University of New Hampshire and the University of Missouri-Columbia, as well as positions at Bryn Mawr College and the University of Nebraska Omaha, highlighting a strong commitment to academic excellence and strategic enrollment. Educational credentials include an M.B.A. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, complemented by degrees from San José State University and Cabrillo College.

Links

Previous companies


Org chart


Teams

This person is not in any teams


Offices

This person is not in any offices