Stephen Ace serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, a leading provider of career-oriented technical training programs. With more than 25 years of progressive experience in human resources leadership, Stephen has built a distinguished career focused on talent management, organizational development, and strategic workforce planning in dynamic industries such as education and professional services. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Rutgers University and an MBA from Seton Hall University, complemented by certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR). Prior to joining Lincoln in 2018, Stephen held senior HR roles at prominent organizations, including Vice President of Human Resources at a national healthcare training firm, where he led HR transformations during mergers and expansions, resulting in a 25% improvement in employee retention and the successful integration of over 1,000 employees. His achievements also include designing innovative compensation structures that boosted performance metrics by 18% and launching diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that earned industry recognition from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). In his current role at Lincoln Educational Services, Stephen oversees all HR functions, including talent acquisition, learning and development, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and compliance across the company’s network of campuses. He has been pivotal in aligning HR strategies with Lincoln’s growth objectives, implementing data-driven recruitment programs that filled critical skilled trade instructor positions amid industry shortages and enhancing employee engagement scores to record highs. Under his guidance, Lincoln continues to cultivate a high-performance culture that supports its mission of preparing students for in-demand careers.