Welcome to Northwood!
This summer has brought three new members to the central administration team here at Northwood University.
Each is a dynamic, experienced individual who embraces free enterprise and is enthusiastic about helping Northwood develop the future leaders of a global, free-enterprise society.
W. Karl Stephan was named Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer effective July 1, 2009. Stephan is responsible for all financial functions at the multi-state university including: accounting, taxation and compliance, information technology, financial aid, budgets, auxiliary services, physical plant, and human resources. He earned his undergraduate degree at Yale University and his master's degree in business administration in finance from the University of Chicago.
President Pretty said, "Karl brings excellent analytical skills to this position and has done an excellent job in his roles as international controller and assistant vice president of finance for Northwood over the past two years. He has worked closely with retiring CFO, Don Hunkins, so this will be a very smooth transition."
Stephan came to Northwood University after a long career in senior management for the Sears Holding Corporation and Kmart Corporation. He was at Arthur Andersen & Co. and Blue Shield of California prior to Sears.
Given the political and economic changes taking place across the globe, Dr. Kristen Stehouwer is looking forward to helping Northwood stay agile, responsive, and proactive. "Because we are in a period of rapid global change, the Northwood education is more relevant than ever." She also stressed Northwood will continue its focus on "continuous improvement and a commitment to excellence."
Stehouwer earned her doctorate from Northwestern University in Political Science and International Relations. Stehouwer's graduate studies included International Law at the University of Strasbourg as a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar. Her scholarly work has focused on political and economic cooperation. She also earned a B.A. and M.A. from Northwestern University.
Stehouwer is equally at home in the business world as she is in education. She has worked with organizations in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Africa to help them develop and implement competitive strategies. These organizations include the financial services, retail, manufacturing, health care, and service sectors. There's a practical side to her experience that she attributes to growing up in a multi-generational family business, "Some of the most important lessons about quality and success are those I learned while working in the family business."
Dr. Stehouwer speaks six languages and, listening to her share the great things she sees down the road for our students and our University, it is readily apparent she is also fluent in the language and power of The Northwood Idea. Welcome, Dr. Stehouwer!
"Philanthropy is the most democratic way of promoting ideas and concepts," says Arnold D'Ambrosio, Vice President of Advancement, "People choose what they want to promote, and while we all may not agree on one cause or another, we are all free to support our own point of view."
D'Ambrosio earned a B.A. in Philosophy and History from Gannon University in Erie, Penn., and a B.A. in English and secondary teaching certificate from Madonna University in Livonia, Mich. He also earned a Fellowship in Institutional Advancement by completing a training program in fundraising in which he created and directed the fundraising program for the Cincinnati Center for Developmental Disorders, an affiliate hospital of Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati.
He comes to Northwood from the Beaumont Foundation of The William Beaumont Hospitals. Previous to Beaumont, he was the chief development officer of Geisinger Health System Foundation in Danville, Penn., and he has worked with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and the American Heart Association.
D'Ambrosio is enthusiastic about bringing the opportunity to support and further The Northwood Idea to new audiences and alumni alike. "A great idea is a great idea, no matter what the economy," and "It feels good to help others," he says. "It is fascinating to meet new people and help them define where they can help and how they can make a difference. I'm happy to be here and am looking forward to meeting everyone, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and donors alike. Together, we're all Northwood, and together we can make a very significant impact."
