POISE STAFF

Rhonda Fischer joined the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University as its inaugural Chief Operating Officer in June 2019. At Tepper, she is responsible for the effective management of the school’s administrative functions – including Finance, Computing, Facilities and Human Resources. She partners closely with the school’s deans, faculty and staff members to operationalize the school’s strategic and educational priorities. Prior to this role, Rhonda served as the Chief Operating Officer of the East Lake Foundation, a community revitalization organization in Atlanta, GA. 

Rhonda has dedicated nearly 20 years of her career to serving mission-based organizations committed to addressing societal challenges and is a committed civic leader. 

Rhonda earned a B.S. in Finance and Marketing at the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce, and an M.B.A. at the Goizueta School of Business at Emory University. She is eager to serve the Pittsburgh community and is a member of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Links, Inc. where she she’s enjoyed service to Gwen’s Girls and Dress for Success, Inc.; Jack and Jill of America, an organization committed to nurturing future African – American leaders, where she serves currently as its Program Director. She serves on the Advisory Board for The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI), and has served on the Board of Directors for the FISA Foundation. Rhonda was named a 2021 Woman of Distinction in Business by the Girls Scouts of Western Pennsylvania. 

Rhonda is the proud wife of Rev. Charles L. Fischer III, the Vice President for Seminary Advancement at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and mom to two amazing sons, Charles IV and Cameron.