Chris Elam

Chris Elam serves as Director of Business Development & Innovation for TIEC, where he leads the development of global university partnerships and international initiatives that connect Texas institutions with governments, industries, and higher education systems worldwide. Over more than two decades in international higher education, he has worked across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia designing and negotiating academic collaborations and workforce development programs partnerships. His work centers on aligning institutional capacity with labor-market needs, helping universities expand internationally while maintaining academic control and long-term sustainability.

Prior to joining TIEC, Chris held senior global partnership and business development leadership roles with organizations including INTO University Partnerships, IDP Education and Pearson Language Testing. He has led market entry strategies, built international recruitment and engagement networks, negotiated collaboration agreements, and advised universities on regulatory frameworks and in-country operations. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with university presidents, provosts, enrollment management, and workforce leaders to establish durable international relationships and scalable partnership models.