Advisory Board

Ahmed Kamel, Ph.D.

Founder and Executive Director, IMACIA®

Dr. Kamel, or simply, Dr. K, is the Founder of IMACIA®. He brings extensive executive leadership experience and expertise in business & analytics, Six Sigma, economics, quality management, organizational improvement, and higher education.

His career combines executive leadership in manufacturing with university professorship, and professional consulting. He has held senior executive positions overseeing quality, data analysis, Six Sigma, and strategic improvement initiatives and has taught business analytics, economics, and managerial decision modeling at the university level.

As a consultant, Dr. Kamel has provided business analytics training to Walmart Home Office employees and Six Sigma training for Continental Tires, helping professionals strengthen analytical capabilities and improve organizational performance.

He earned his Ph.D. from Auburn University, where his pioneering doctoral research examined the relationships among engineering design, quality, pricing, and marketability.

Dr. Kamel is the author of “Lean Business & Data Analytics” and creator of the “ISAPPA®” framework—Identify, Structure, Analyze, Predict, Prescribe, and Act.

Through IMACIA®, he is dedicated developing innovative professional development and certification programs that advance analytical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, Six Sigma and continuous organizational improvement.

Kathleen Irwin, Ph.D.

Advisory Board Member

Kathleen Irwin is an accomplished higher education executive, educator, and organizational strategist with extensive experience in academic leadership, curriculum development, business education, and institutional effectiveness. She holds a Ph.D. in Organization and Management and an MBA in Finance. Her leadership experience includes serving as Vice Provost for Curriculum and Faculty, Program Director, and academic department chair. She currently serves as a university professor, doctoral dissertation chair, and advisor to emerging educational initiatives. Irwin is also the founder of WLKForward, Inc., an organization focused on connecting workforce experience, academic learning, and industry innovation. Recognized as a 2026 Distinguished Faculty of the Year Semifinalist, she brings expertise in strategic planning, academic quality, organizational improvement, and workforce development to IMACIA's Advisory Board.

James A. Walsh

Founder and CEO, Suraci Management Services

James A. Walsh is the Founder and CEO of Suraci Management Services, leveraging a 30+ year career in public and private leadership to help organizations achieve mission success. He currently supports Longview Fusion Energy Systems and advises federal government clients on complex organizational transformation, risk management, and AI integration. Previously, Mr. Walsh was a career member of the Senior Executive Service, serving as Acting Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Comptroller for the U.S. Department of State, and Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. He began his leadership career with nearly eight years in the U.S. Army, commanding aviation units during multiple overseas deployments. A recipient of the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award, he holds a bachelor’s degree from West Point and an MBA from Bowie State University. He is deeply passionate about mentoring leaders and helping teams adapt to the modern AI-driven workplace.

Karan Hinman Powell, Ph.D.

President and Principal, KHP Consulting, LLC

Dr. Powell, brings more than 40 years of leadership experience in higher education, organizational development, and institutional transformation. She is President and Principal of KHP Consulting, LLC, and former President and Provost of American Public University System (APUS). She also served as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Saint Francis University.

Her expertise encompasses academic accreditation, online education, curriculum development, learning outcomes assessment, executive leadership, and continuous organizational improvement. Throughout her career, she has championed innovation, institutional effectiveness, and strategies that enhance academic quality and student success.

Dr. Powell holds a Ph.D. in Education from George Mason University, specializing in organizational development and learning. She has also served as a peer reviewer and team chair for the Higher Learning Commission and remains actively engaged in advancing educational excellence and organizational performance.

Bob Gay

Higher Education Executive and Consultant

Bob Gay is a higher education executive and consultant with more than 25 years of experience in enrollment management, institutional strategy, and operational leadership. He has held senior leadership positions at American Public University System, The New School, and the University of Maryland University College (now UMGC). As Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer at American Public University System, he led enrollment and retention operations supporting more than 90,000 online students. Previously, at Maguire Associates, he led consulting engagements focused on enrollment strategy and predictive analytics. As an independent consultant, he currently advises colleges and universities on enrollment growth, retention, and operational improvement. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Towson University.