Dr. Chromy is President and Chief Executive Officer, bringing a new vision to the organization: “Trellis connects people to education-to-employment pathways that transform their lives”. Dr. Chromy is focused on leveraging the strengths of Trellis in providing high-quality customer contact support, insightful research, and impactful consulting services within the postsecondary education ecosystem. At the same time, she is directing the Trellis team to utilize these strengths to deliver on Trellis’ mission to “develop and advance initiatives that grow individual economic mobility and expand community prosperity”.
Dr. Chromy previously served for seven years as President of Education Finance Council (EFC), a national association representing nonprofit and state-based student loan organizations. She successfully led EFC’s advocacy efforts on legislative and regulatory issues related to student loans and higher education, regularly collaborating with other industry groups, the White House, Administration, and Congress. Prior to leading EFC, Dr. Chromy served in multiple roles at American Student Assistance (ASA), a nonprofit focused on higher education student access, loan management, and financial wellness, where she was instrumental in advancing ASA’s overall strategy, business development, government affairs, and strategic partnerships. She also served as Vice President at Key Education Resources, and as a Vice President at Knight College Resource Group.
Dr. Chromy is currently on the board of the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, Chair of the Governance and Compensation Committee and as a member of the Executive Committee as well as a member of the board of the NSC Research Center. She is also a member of the Advisory Board for Ascent. She has also served as Chair of the University of Pennsylvania Executive Doctorate Alumni Advisory Board; Chair of the Legislative Task Force for the Municipal Bonds for America Coalition; Board Member at Large for Smith College Club of Washington, D.C.; President of The College Club Scholarship Fund, Inc.; Chair of the Board of the Smith College Club of Cambridge, MA; and as a Board Member of ELM Resources, chairing the Finance & Audit Committee and as an Executive Committee Member.
Debra holds a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from the Questrom School of Business at Boston University, and an A.B., in Economics from Smith College.