Benjamin Jackson’s connection to Southwestern University spans four generations. His great-grandmother completed her studies at Southwestern and received a certificate at a time when degrees were not yet conferred to women. His grandfather, B.F. Jackson, Jr., was a student in the 1920s, later joined the faculty as a professor of religious studies in the 1940s, and ultimately served as director of the library beginning in 1975. Ben’s parents and uncle also attended Southwestern — and Ben himself graduated in 1988 with a B.A. in English. He participated in Southwestern’s semester abroad program in London in 1986, and two years later served as editor of The Megaphone, leading the newspaper’s transition from traditional typesetting to its first digital publishing platform.

That instinct and passion — bringing innovation and emerging technology to modernize organizations, guide transformation, and help institutions evolve in service of their customers and communities — has defined Ben’s professional life.

Over the past three decades, Ben has held senior leadership roles at some of the world’s most consequential technology companies, including Google, Amazon, Workday, Microsoft, Oracle, Juniper Networks, and Cisco Systems. His career has focused on leading global information services organizations, spanning technical content, learning and development, software engineering, digital experience, and knowledge management. In addition to his Southwestern degree, Ben holds an M.S. in Information Management from the University of Washington.

Ben resides in Southern California, where he is an active general aviation pilot, an aspiring classical pianist, and an avid tennis player.

Location: Rancho Mirage, California