Hampshire College Names Alum Elle Chan 87F as Chair-Elect of the Board of Trustees

Hampshire College announced today that Elle Chan 87F, cofounder and CEO of TRADEMARK, has been named chair-elect of the Board of Trustees. As of July 1, 2026, she will succeed Jose Fuentes 05F, who is stepping down after six years of service. 

“Having served on the board since 2019, it’s been an extraordinary experience to work alongside such dedicated trustees, staff, faculty, and students,” said Chan. “I’m honored to be selected as chair-elect and look forward to partnering with President Jenn Chrisler and my fellow trustees to lead boldly and responsibly in support of Hampshire’s mission and future.” 

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Elle on the board for the past six years and I strongly believe she’s perfectly suited to take over as chair,” said Fuentes. “She has the right combination of experience and vision and, most important, she’s committed to a flourishing, experimenting educational model that graduates thinkers and doers capable of responding to the most important challenges of the 21st century.” 

Since joining the board, Chan has played a central role in advancement and outreach efforts. As chair of the Outreach and Advancement Committee, she has supported major fundraising initiatives, helped shape marketing and communications strategies, and designed donor engagement events. She also contributed to planning the College’s 50th- and 55th-anniversary celebrations and has served on the Enrollment Committee, where she gained firsthand insight into admissions and the College’s core academic mission. 

“Elle has demonstrated unwavering dedication to Hampshire and a deep belief in its distinctive model of education,” said Chrisler. “Her strategic mindset, entrepreneurial leadership, and collaborative and inclusive approach make her exceptionally well suited to guide the board in this moment.” 

Chan entered Hampshire College in fall 1987 and graduated with a B.A. in film production and advertising. She began her career at Industrial Light & Magic, Lucasfilm’s premier visual effects company, where she developed expertise in complex project management. In 1997, she cofounded TRADEMARK, a global brand marketing agency, to fuse creative storytelling with disciplined production and brand strategy. As executive producer and CEO, she has led client acquisition, creative services, finance, and critical account management for organizations across the technology (Slack, Adobe), retail (Lacoste), entertainment (Lucasfilm), medical technology (Medtronic, Zeiss, Bausch + Lomb), and pharmaceutical (Pfizer) sectors. 

Under Chan’s leadership, TRADEMARK has expanded its scope to include national marketing tours, conferences, and press events. Chan has championed social causes through the company’s ongoing support of Charity Water, WBENC, and Hampshire. Her work reflects a belief that powerful experiences can inspire people, elevate brands, and make the world a better place. 

Chan is widely recognized for her ability to “embody the brand” she represents, an approach she brings to the College. “This moment requires us to be fearless — gutsy and smart, resourceful, visionary, and bold,” she said. “We’ll ask hard questions and be asked hard questions. We’ll rely on the strong leadership team President Chrisler has built, drawing on the expertise of trustees and our broader community to imagine and then build the next chapter for Hampshire College.” 

Chan lives in Menlo Park, California, with her family and continues to serve as CEO of TRADEMARK.