Industry experts join IST Dean’s Advisory Board

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) recently welcomed two additions to its Dean’s Advisory Board. Kim Brannon and Glenn Finch join the 18-member board of Penn State alumni, friends and industry leaders in providing strategic guidance and counsel to shape the future of the college.

“We are so pleased to welcome Kim and Glenn,” said Andrea Tapia, dean of the College of IST. “They will add energy and perspective to the important work our advisory board does to help shape the future of the college. I am excited for the ideas and enthusiasm they will bring and look forward to the conversations ahead.”

Kim Brannon

Kim Brannon, class of 1991, has more than 30 years of experience in information systems and business services. Her career spans leadership roles across the private sector, with a focus on driving technology transformation, cybersecurity and information technology (IT) strategy.

Most recently, Brannon served as chief information officer (CIO) for SAP National Security Services (NS2), where she led the enterprise-wide IT strategy, governance and operations. She provided leadership for the digital platform that enabled the NS2 community to communicate and collaborate securely. Brannon oversaw a rapid digital transformation to evolve the SAP NS2 business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before NS2, Brannon worked at Raytheon Company. She held a variety of positions in her 17 years with Raytheon’s Global Business Services and Enterprise IT, including leading the automation and information systems to support the company’s effort to build a culture of export/import excellence.

Brannon holds a master’s degree in business from Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Penn State. She also received a CIO Certificate in the Advanced Management Program at the National Defense University.

Glenn Finch

Glenn Finch brings a powerful combination of technical insight, industry breadth and a passion for innovation to IST’s advisory board.

He is the global managing partner for data and generative artificial intelligence (AI) at IBM. With more than 25 years of experience, he has guided some of IBM’s most complex and transformative engagements, focusing on process reimagination and the integration of AI across industries. Those engagements have leveraged broader customer, finance and supply chain, marketing, sustainability and application modernization and maintenance activities across six dominant industries.

His work spans financial services, healthcare, telecommunications and beyond, with clients that include major global organizations such as Barclays, JP Morgan Chase, American Express and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.