Pearson elevates IT leader to executive leadership team

Pearson appointed Chief Information Officer Marykay Wells to its executive leadership team, according to a Wednesday announcement from the Hoboken-based learning company.

Reporting directly to CEO Andy Bird, Wells will work with the board and management team to build a technology strategy that supports a coordinated, cross-functional approach to data, content delivery and product development.

Wells, an eight-year Pearson veteran, currently leads a team of global information technology professionals, who are instrumental in driving the company’s shift to high-quality digital products and services. Across her 30-year career, she has an outstanding track record of executing large, global technology transformations. Prior to joining Pearson in 2014, Wells served in highly successful CIO roles at Nortel, Tekelec and Extreme Networks.

“Marykay is a visionary leader, already focused on executing Pearson’s strategy of delivering high-quality digital products across a lifetime of learning,” Bird said. “Marykay and her team are well-positioned to support our businesses with innovative and enterprise technology, and they will play an essential role as we develop more digital applications, particularly with the expansion of Pearson+.”

“As we move into a new era for the company, I’m thrilled to help lead Pearson’s digital transformation,” Wells said. “We’ve made much progress in streamlining and modernizing Pearson’s enterprise technology and we can use that positive momentum to expand our capabilities, build our IT talent and drive further growth in our products and services.”

As part of her leadership efforts, Wells is also active in tackling issues around diversity in the IT industry. She has established strong partnerships with many universities, sponsoring intern programs and practicum projects for graduate students. In 2018, she launched a Women in Technology initiative at Pearson to attract, retain and develop talent worldwide across all the company’s technology teams, achieving almost double-digit growth in women in technology at Pearson.