Agility Live! 2026 Speakers

Peter J. Mohler – 30th President of The University of Alabama

Meet the President – Office of the President

Kyle Fondren is the Executive Director of University Web Strategy at The University of Alabama, where he leads the team responsible for the University’s global web presence.

His work focuses on increasing speed, quality, and consistency through a scalable design system, modern web operations, and AI enablement. He also guides homepage content strategy and the launch of major campaign sites, like Where Legends Are Made.

Kyle holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Journalism, Computer Science, and a Master of Science (M.S.) – Sports Business Management from The University of Alabama.

In his presentation, he will share Strategic Communications’ efficiency gains from incorporating AI into day-to-day workflows, and tips on how your organization can start winning with AI.

Ruth Pionke has spent the last fifteen years working in higher education in UA’s College of Arts & Sciences and, more recently, with the School of Social Work.

In her current role, Ruth serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives, where she oversees the college’s strategic plan, communications and external relations, the scholarship awarding process, recruitment and retention, and agility.

Before her work in higher education, Ruth worked in fine chemical and medical device manufacturing, as well as pharmaceutical research, for over six years. She was also the owner and founder of Strategic Partners, a management and marketing consulting company, where she designed business plans and secured grant funding for Alabama companies and nonprofits.

Ruth has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Valparaiso University, a Master’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois, and an MBA with a concentration in Strategy from the Manderson School of Business at the University of Alabama.

Kevin Donahoe is the ERP Implementation Manager at The University of Alabama.  In this role, Kevin is responsible for leading the Capstone Convergence Program. 

Prior to joining UA, Kevin led similar Workday HR/Finance and Research Administration system implementations and technical modernization efforts at both the University of Wisconsin and The Ohio State University.  Kevin is in his 20^th year leading ERP implementations in higher ed.

Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in management from the Air Force Academy and a master’s degree in business administration from The Ohio State University. 

Additional Presenters: Rainey Way (Capstone Convergence Shared Capabilities and Enterprise Continuous Innovation)

Dr. Robert Hayes is the associate provost of the Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education. Prior to this appointment, he served as Associate Dean for Online Learning in the College of Continuing Studies. In that role, he oversaw the College’s robust portfolio of online academic and continuing education programs, including ACCESS Virtual Learning, New College Life Track, The University of Alabama Online, and UA Early College.

Under his leadership, OTIDE has implemented Quality Matters as the guiding framework for quality assurance in online teaching and learning, introduced 24/7 technical support for faculty and students and improved UA’s standings in U.S. News & World Report rankings for Best Online Programs.

Dr. Hayes served in several professional roles across The University of Alabama since 2005. He managed marketing, communications, and fundraising activities for the Division of Student Life. Dr. Hayes served six years as assistant dean and director of Student Services in the College of Arts and Sciences. Prior to his work in Academic Affairs, Dr. Hayes directed UA’s Bama Bound Orientation program in the Division of Enrollment Management.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Science in Counseling and College Student Personnel from Jacksonville State University, and he earned a PhD in Instructional Leadership from The University of Alabama.

Shane Dorrill serves as the Director of Public Safety Communications for The University of Alabama, where he is dedicated to enhancing emergency communications and sharing vital public safety information. 

Prior to his current role, Shane worked for more than 20 years in UA’s Division of Strategic Communications, where he focused on media relations. His experience in strategic communications has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of effective public information dissemination.

Shane holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science from UA. His expertise is further demonstrated through his numerous certifications, including the Executive Public Information Officer certification from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Master Public Information Officer certifications from FBI-LEEDA and the University of Tennessee Law Enforcement Innovation Center, and a Public Information Officer credential from the Center for Public Safety Excellence. 

Rainey Way is in charge of the Enterprise Continuous Innovation team that steers Agility, UA’s continuous improvement program; develops enterprise business analytics; and institutionalizes University data governance. She also facilitates process improvement projects and trains employees on Psychological Safety, Process Improvement, Change Management, Problem Solving, Lean Higher Education principles, and other topics.

She holds a B.S. in Mathematics and French from Vanderbilt University and an M.B.A. with a concentration in Finance from the Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt University. Before working at The University of Alabama, she was a Senior Vice President at Bank of America in Charlotte, NC, as a Senior Program Manager for commercial and corporate lending systems. Her career started at Andersen Consulting (now Accenture). She is a Certified Lean Six Sigma.

Carolina Vega is the leader of the Continuous Improvement Department at The University of Alabama, where she facilitates process improvement projects, coordinates Agility, the UA’s continuous improvement program, coaches and trains employees on different topics related to Lean and Continuous Improvement, Lean applied to Higher Education, Psychological Safety, Change Management, Problem Solving, Process Improvement, PDCA and other Lean principles and methodologies.

Carolina is an Industrial Engineer from Universidad de los Andes, Colombia, and holds an MBA. Before working at The University of Alabama, she was the Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager for a company in the logistics and automotive industry, she was the Regional Head of Internal Audit and Process Improvement for an international services company. She also worked for Ernst & Young and KPMG. She is a Certified Lean Six Sigma and Certified Internal Auditor.