Dr. Pareena G. Lawrence received her bachelor's and master’s degrees in Economics from the University of Delhi, India, and her PhD in Economics from Purdue University.  She was Professor of Economics and Management and Division Chair of Social Sciences at the University of Minnesota Morris.

As Provost and Dean of Augustana College, Illinois, and later as President of Hollins University, Virginia, Dr. Lawrence accumulated extensive experience in collaboratively developing and successfully implementing strategic plans focusing on holistic student development, growth, and success of the institutions.  She has been a member of many national higher education organizations and boards and deeply engaged with research and trends in higher education, including faith-based institutions.

Before joining the United Board in June 2023 as President, Dr. Lawrence was Senior Fellow at the Office of International Affairs of Yale University, and Visiting Professor and Director of Academic Affairs at Yale-NUS, Singapore.