PIONEER CREDIT RECOVERY - Key Persons
Anna Escobedo Cabral has been a Navient director since December 2014. She previously served as Treasurer of the United States of America from 2004 to 2009. In this role, she oversaw the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the U.S. Mint. In addition, she led the Treasury's community development and public outreach efforts, including financial education initiatives designed to increase financial literacy and remove barriers to Americans' success. From 2009 to 2018, Ms. Cabral served as senior advisor for external relations at the Inter-American Development Bank. She also has served as director of the Smithsonian Institution's Center for Latino Initiatives and CEO of the Hispanic Association of Corporate Responsibility. Ms. Cabral is a second-generation Mexican-American, whose parents labored in the fields of southern California. She has served as chair of the Financial Services Roundtable Retirement Security Council and is a member of MANA, a national Latina organization.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Executive Vice President
- Executive Vice President, Consumer Lending, and Chief Executive Officer of Earnest
David Green is executive vice president of Navient and CEO of Earnest, a fintech lender focused on education. David is responsible for Navient's suite of education financing tools and services, which are offered under the Earnest and NaviRefi brands. He has broadened the scope of our impact, leading Earnest to become a top refinancer of student loans. Under his leadership, strategic initiatives include the acquisition of Going Merry, a national financial aid platform where students match to and apply for scholarships, institutional aid, and government grants through a single free application. He previously served as chief operating officer and chief product officer at Earnest, developing a keen sense for how to deliver on the company's mission to make higher education attainable and affordable for everyone. During prior roles at Earnest, David oversaw lending product management, design, and engineering. He has also scaled the company from 20 employees to over 250 today and is passionate about training teams. Earnest joined the Navient family of companies in 2018.
Previously, David founded Poplar Finance, a fintech startup focused on eliminating the need for large security deposits in residential rentals. And as the vice president of business operations at the American Mortgage Consultants, he managed large operations teams of 300+ remote employees.
An avid outdoorsman, David enjoys mountaineering, hiking, trail running, and camping. He serves as a mentor for First Round Fast Track, advising early-stage operational leaders. David received his MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. from George Washington University. He lives in the Bay Area with his wife and two young sons.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- President
David L. Yowan was named president and CEO of Navient on May 15, 2023. He has been a director of Navient since April 2017.
Dave previously was Executive Vice President and Corporate Treasurer of American Express. He brings over 40 years of experience in risk management, balance sheet management, funding and liquidity, and in integrating financial management with business strategy.
During his time at American Express, he played a key role in navigating the financial crisis of 2008-2009. He led a significant transformation of the company's funding profile and the transition of American Express into a bank holding company.
Job Titles:
- Partner of Sherborne Investors Management
Edward Bramson is partner of Sherborne Investors Management LP and joined the Board in 2022. Mr. Bramson has extensive business experience as a Chief Executive Officer, including seven publicly traded companies in the consumer products, electronics and regulated financial services sectors. He co-founded Sherborne Investors in 1986. The firm manages private and public equity turnaround investments and is Navient's largest shareholder. Mr. Bramson has worked successfully with people from diverse backgrounds, and brings to our Board valuable experience in creating long-term value for shareholders.
Frederick Arnold has been a Navient director since August 2018. He previously held a series of senior financial positions at private equity-owned portfolio companies. Prior to these roles, Mr. Arnold spent 20 years as an investment banker, primarily at Lehman Brothers and Smith Barney, where he served as managing director and head of European corporate finance. He also serves as a board member of FS KKR, FS Investment Corporation II, FS Investment Corporation III, and FS Investment Corporation IV, as a board member of Syncora Holdings Ltd., and is a member of the post-emergence board of directors of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer of Jane J. Thompson Financial Services LLC
Jane J. Thompson is the chief executive officer of Jane J. Thompson Financial Services LLC, a management consulting firm, and a founding member of the Navient Board of Directors. Ms. Thompson has led multi-billion dollar organizations in financial services, most recently as president of Walmart Financial Services, a division of Walmart Stores, Inc. Previously, she led the Sears Credit, Sears Home Services, and Sears Online groups at Sears, Roebuck & Co., she served as a partner at McKinsey & Co. Inc., and in brand management and marketing at Procter & Gamble. She is also a director of OnDeck Capital, Inc. and Mitek Systems, Inc.
Job Titles:
- Chief Audit Officer
- Senior Vice President
- Navient As Vice President of Internal Audit
- Senior Vice President and Chief Audit Officer at Navient
Jennifer Walker serves as senior vice president and chief audit officer at Navient. She reports directly to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Jennifer joined Navient as vice president of internal audit where she provided oversight of audits and lead reviews of business operations, regulatory compliance, and information security and technology. Prior to her career at Navient, she held internal auditing roles at Protiviti, Freddie Mac and Sallie Mae.
Jennifer earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia. After graduating, Jennifer was a software analyst for a healthcare consulting company before moving to the position of technology risk consulting manager at a Big Six accounting firm.
Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys staying active and spending time with her two sons.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Financial Analyst
- Chief Financial Officer
- Executive Vice President
Joe Fisher serves as executive vice president and chief financial officer. In this role, he manages Navient's financial strategies and operations, corporate development, and investor relations.
Joe was appointed CFO in 2020. He previously held various roles including vice president of investor relations and corporate development since joining the company in 2002. His B.S. in finance was earned at the University of Pittsburgh.
He lives with his wife and three children in Northern Virginia and is an avid sports fan. Much of his spare time involves supporting his children's sports activities of lacrosse, soccer, and basketball.
Joe is a Chartered Financial Analyst and serves on the board of Building Hope, an education nonprofit dedicated to expanding opportunities for students and families in underserved communities.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President
- Group President
- Group President, Business Processing Solutions
John Kane serves as executive vice president and group president, business processing solutions. Our data driven business processing solutions enable our clients to focus on their missions and optimize their cash flow, and they enable individuals to successfully navigate complex programs, transactions, and decisions.
In 2008, John joined Sallie Mae to lead the asset recovery division, where he managed the development of a new loan modification program to assist student loan customers experiencing financial difficulties. In 2013, he oversaw a project to separate the company, creating Navient. Intense preparation led to a smooth transition, and in Navient's first year he served as chief operating officer.
John started his career as a customer assistance representative in a call center at MBNA, a credit card company that later became part of Bank of America.
A graduate from the University of Delaware with a degree in economics, John is an active New York sports fan who also enjoys spending time with friends and family, including his two children.
John serves on the board of the Freire Charter School Wilmington.
Job Titles:
- Financial Services Advisor
Laura S. Unger is a financial services advisor specializing in regulatory and legislative policy. Ms. Unger was a commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including six months as acting chairman of the SEC from 1997 to 2002. Previously, she served as counsel to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, and was an attorney in the enforcement division of the SEC. She has been a special advisor at Promontory Financial Group and was named as the independent consultant to JPMorgan for the global analyst conflict of interest settlement. Ms. Unger is a board member of the Children's National Medical Center Foundation, and director of Nomura Securities and Nomura Global Financial Products. In addition to Navient, she also serves as director of two other public companies, CA Technologies and CIT Group.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board of Directors
Linda A. Mills is former corporate vice president of operations for Northrop Grumman, a leading global security provider of advanced solutions for defense, intelligence, civil agency and commercial customers. At Northrop Grumman, Ms. Mills was responsible for driving effective operations to maximize performance, innovation and affordability. She was directly responsible for the company's programs, quality, technology and engineering areas, aimed at improving the company's profitability and competitive edge.
With her background in large scale, complex businesses, Ms. Mills brings significant general management and executive experience to our Board, including experience in technology, business transformation, cyber, strategic thinking and leadership skills from having served as president of a multi-billion dollar information technology business and as corporate vice president for operations at Northrop Grumman.
Ms. Mills was recognized as a 2017 Directorship honoree by NACD and is a frequent speaker on various board governance topics. Ms. Mills was named one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business by Fortune magazine and received the Federal 100 Award from Federal Computer Week, recognizing government and industry leaders who have played pivotal roles in the federal government IT community. Ms. Mills serves on the board of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the board of visitors for the University of Illinois College of Engineering. In addition to Navient, Ms. Mills also serves on the board of directors of American International Group, Inc. (AIG).
Mark Heleen - Chief Legal Officer, EVP
Job Titles:
- Chief Legal Officer
- Executive Vice President
- Secretary
- Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at Navient
Mark Heleen serves as executive vice president and chief legal officer at Navient, leading the company's commitment to operate within the highest legal and regulatory standards.
Mark began his law career at a law firm that represented a bank, and in 1995, he became the senior counsel for Pittsburgh National Bank, the predecessor to today's PNC Financial.
Mark later joined Sallie Mae and eventually served as executive vice president and general counsel. Following his departure from Sallie Mae in 2010, Mark worked as a consultant for several start-up student lenders and investment banks. Mark then accepted a position with the law firm of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, where he continued to work with student loan legal topics.
Mark joined Navient in 2014 and was named general counsel in 2015.
A graduate of Bucknell University with a degree in political science and government, Mark continued his education at the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his law degree. Mark grew up in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and enjoys spending time with his wife, Lisa, and their two kids.
Michael Lawson has been a Navient director since August 2020. He is president and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League. In 2013, he was nominated by President Obama to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations agency. Before that, Lawson served on the Board of Airport Commissioners for Los Angeles World Airports. From 1980 until his retirement in 2011, he practiced law at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. As a partner, he led the executive compensation and benefits group for the Los Angeles office as well as worked on a wide variety of issues, including structured finance transactions and proxy contests.
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
- Senior Vice President
Mike Maier is senior vice president and chief information officer, bringing more than 20 years of experience in financial services. He joined the company in 2009 and has held various executive positions including leading loan servicing, asset recovery and cross functional bid teams. Mike translates his diverse leadership and financial services experience into actionable support for Navient's customers. He stresses the value of making personal connections with customers to understand their expectations, create the right solution, and deliver to meet their needs.
Mike started his career in the financial services industry at MBNA. He led various analytic, operational, and strategic teams in the company's consumer finance division, and later worked as an independent consultant advising various Fortune 100 companies.
A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Mike holds a degree in aerospace engineering and served for seven years in the U.S. Navy as a surface warfare officer. Mike frequently taps into his military experience while serving as the executive sponsor of the Navient Veteran Resource Group.
Mike is active in the community and has devoted his time to various organizations such as the Red Cross and Naval Academy Foundation. Mike is the proud parent of three active children and spends his nights and weekends cheering them on in their athletic pursuits.
Job Titles:
- Chief Human Resources Officer
- Senior Vice President
Mike Smith is senior vice president and chief human resources officer, leading the company's strategies to support our talented team. Over the past 15 years, he has led key components of the Navient human resources team, including employee compensation and benefits, HR analytics and systems, and the implementation of inclusion, diversity, and equity strategies.
Mike brings an extensive background and thought leadership in HR practices, with experience at several companies including Freddie Mac and Capital One and on several industry boards such as the client advisory board for Fidelity Investments.
He holds a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation, a certification in data analytics from the University of Delaware, and a certification in inclusion and diversity leadership from Cornell University. Mike is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a bachelor's degree in computer science and mathematics.
Mike is a board member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware and chairs the board's HR committee.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Communications, Chief of Staff
Patricia Nash Christel
Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Communications, Chief of Staff to the CEO
Patricia Nash Christel serves as vice president, corporate marketing and communications, and chief of staff to the CEO. Drawing on her more than 25 years of experience in corporate, nonprofit, and higher education management, she manages projects to meet customer needs, build the Navient brand, and grow the business. As chief of staff, she works with the executive leadership team to achieve company goals and deliver value for company stakeholders.
Since joining the company in 2007, she has played leadership roles to successfully roll out new products and campaigns, manage significant public affairs matters, execute major company transactions, improve the customer experience, and create impactful corporate social responsibility programs. Patricia leads Navient's national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to bring career and college planning resources to support equity for youth, including those from under-resourced communities.
Patricia earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Andrews University and an MBA from University of Maryland's Smith School of Business. She lives in Delaware with her family, where she is a Girl Scout volunteer leader and serves on the Delaware Business Roundtable Education Committee.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President and Chief Risk and Compliance Officer
Steve Hauber serves as executive vice president and chief risk and compliance officer. In this role, he fosters a culture of accountability in the company's operations to ensure Navient maintains sound credit, market, compliance, and operational performance.
From 2014 to 2017, Steve served as Navient's chief audit officer, an independent role that reported directly to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
He joined Sallie Mae in 2003, where he held roles in internal audit and credit risk management. Steve previously worked in public accounting at Arthur Andersen and Ernst & Young. Steve earned his bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Steve spends his free time with his wife and two daughters. He also likes to run, read, and is an avid sports fan.
Steve serves on the Board of Directors of Building Hope, an education nonprofit dedicated to expanding opportunities for students and families in underserved communities.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President
- Senior Vice President, Asset Management and Servicing Operations
Troy Standish serves as senior vice president of asset management and servicing operations. In this role, he oversees servicing and default prevention for Navient's student loan customers. This includes responsibility for customer-facing activities carried out by dedicated employees in Navient's servicing portfolio.
Troy joined the company in 2000, through the acquisition of Pioneer Credit Recovery. For the past more than 20 years, he has held various operational leadership roles throughout the company.
He is active in his volunteer work in and around the greater Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, area. He serves as a commissioner on the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission, a partnership of business leaders dedicated to making the success of every child in Pennsylvania a top priority. He has served as chair of the board of both the United Way of Wyoming Valley and the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Troy resides in Wyoming Valley with his wife and three children. He enjoys spending time with his kids and is engaged with their sports and activities. Troy is also a fly fisherman.