Eileen Klein

Biography

With more than 20 years of strategic fiscal and executive management experience in the public and private sectors, including leading reform efforts on pivotal statewide issues such as education and health care, Eileen Klein is uniquely positioned in her role as President of the Arizona Board of Regents to help Arizona's public universities achieve critical goals to transform Arizona's economy.Ms. Klein oversees the $4 billion Arizona public university enterprise - Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona - as well as guides and advises the regents to help inform effective governance.She provides leadership to the Board administration and manages the Enterprise Executive Committee (EEC), comprised of the university presidents. The EEC is responsible for achieving the ambitious 2020 goals outlined in the Board’s aggressive strategic plan which calls for significant gains in degree production and research activity, and major reforms in both the instructional delivery model and financing of the university system to support and stimulate Arizona’s economy. Previous to joining the Board, Ms. Klein served as chief of staff for Gov. Brewer. Taking the helm in the midst of a severe financial crisis and economic downturn, Klein was instrumental in charting Arizona’s path to recovery. Klein refocused the state’s efforts on economic competitiveness by creating the Arizona Commerce Authority, the state’s leading public-private economic development organization; and ushering in Arizona’s Competitiveness Package which included a mix of business incentives and tax reforms making Arizona one of the most desirable places to do business. Additionally, in a matter of just two years, Klein led the state out of a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall through budget and personnel reforms resulting in a positive cash balance.During her tenure as chief of staff, Klein helped launch Arizona Ready, an education reform plan to align statewide education goals across the P-20 spectrum. The initiative raises standards for teachers and students, improves transparency for parents, and establishes ambitious goals in areas from third grade literacy to high school and college graduation rates. Klein also played a critical role in spearheading Gov. Brewer’s transformational health care reform plan, which enabled the state to modernize Medicaid and behavioral health programs while reducing costs, improving care and preserving the safety net for Arizonans in need.Prior to joining the governor’s office, Klein was chief operating officer for Arizona Physicians IPA by UnitedHealthcare, a $1 billion corporation with 250 personnel dedicated to serving Arizonans with special health care needs enrolled in the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Department of Development Disabilities and Arizona Department of Health Services Programs. Ms. Klein also served for three years as vice president of state affairs, representing all UnitedHealthcare lines of business in government relations and public policy in Arizona, Utah and Idaho.Ms. Klein spent over 15 years in state government in Arizona and Florida. She received her bachelor of arts in French and business from Florida State University and a master of public administration from Arizona State University. Ms. Klein is an active member of Arizona’s business, civic, arts and philanthropic community and has been bestowed with numerous appointments, honors and awards.

Research Interest

 Business and Management