About & Experience
Executive experience. Practical partnership.
Roberta Hyland is the founder of HY'er Impact Consulting, bringing more than 25 years of education data and organizational leadership experience. Her senior leadership roles include Chief Data Officer, Chief of Staff, and Assistant Vice President of Research Operations.
She established a CDO function, shaped strategic data vision and modernization plans, built operating functions, and led data product development. In her consulting work, she has led the formation of data organizations, data migrations, and the retirement of legacy data systems to transition organizations to modern data infrastructures.
An early adopter of approaches emphasizing data literacy and data culture, she recognizes that effective governance depends on people understanding, questioning, and using data in their daily work.
She holds a master’s degree in Higher Education from Drexel University and a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Muhlenberg College.
Selected leadership and consulting experience
- Formed data organizations in consulting engagements.
- Led data migrations and the retirement of legacy data systems to transition organizations to modern data infrastructures.
- Established an organization’s first CDO position and business unit, and set its strategic data vision and modernization roadmap.
- Established the project management office as Chief of Staff, reporting to the President and CEO, and oversaw enterprise-wide strategic initiatives.
- Established Research Operations and Customer Service functions, and led product development, business plans, technical product roadmaps, and relationship management.
- Worked with every U.S. state through CDO initiatives and StudentTracker.
- Led multidisciplinary teams of 3–25, and prepared board materials, leadership communications, and national presentations.
Working style
- Align on goals.
- Clarify decisions.
- Partner with existing teams.
- Leave clear ownership.
A commitment to helping people find their voice
Alongside her executive and consulting work, Roberta has more than 20 years of experience coaching high school students in speech and debate. She served for 16 years as president of the Washington-Arlington High School Forensics League, representing more than 60 high schools and coordinating the regional competition forum. Her national leadership includes serving as president of the National Catholic Forensic League from 2016 to 2018.
With the National Catholic Forensic League she also served as publicity director (2010–2012), second vice president (2012–2014), and first vice president (2014–2016).
Selected recognition
- 2021 and 2022 CDO Magazine’s Global Data Power Women List
- 2022 DataIQ’s 100 Most Influential People in Data—USA
- Drexel University’s Alumni Outstanding Educator Award
- Washington Arlington Catholic Forensic League Service Award
- 2024 National Catholic Forensic League’s Richard Gaudette Service Award
Beyond consulting
Roberta is also the author of the Kayleigh Adventures children’s picture books, inspired by her dog, Kayleigh. Through Kayleigh’s adventures, she shares warm stories about friendship, kindness, and being yourself. Explore the books and meet the real Kayleigh at Kayleigh Adventures.
Explore Kayleigh Adventures — picture books by Roberta Hyland (opens in a new tab)