Case Western Reserve University has landed a pioneer—and familiar face—as its new vice president for enterprise risk management.
Boyd Kumher, who became the University of Minnesota’s first chief compliance officer in 2016, will arrive with more than 25 years of experience in higher education and academic medical centers. He starts May 1.
Vice president for enterprise risk management is a new position for the university. And for Kumher, it will be a bit of a homecoming. He served as Case Western Reserve’s first chief compliance officer from 2010-16, fostering an expertise in compliance and ethical standards within academic institutions.
“Boyd’s expertise in risk management and his familiarity with Case Western Reserve makes him ideally suited for this new role,” said President Eric W. Kaler. “We look forward to welcoming him back to the university.”
Enterprise risk management demands identifying, assessing and managing risks that could hinder a university’s ability to accomplish its objectives. Such threats could include funding cuts and other financial issues, events that effect operations like natural disasters, or reputational risks, such as scandals that can damage a university’s reputation.
Kumher will serve as a key adviser to senior leadership, reporting to John Sideras, the university’s executive vice president and chief financial officer.
“Boyd’s over 20 years of experience in clinical research, compliance and enterprise risk management reflect his distinctive competencies,” Sideras said.
As Case Western Reserve’s first chief compliance officer, Kumher, among many other initiatives, developed and implemented a system wide compliance program, established and facilitated an executive compliance oversight committee and developed and implemented required annual online compliance and ethics training—including diversity, equity and inclusion content—for faculty and staff.
“My decision to return to Case Western Reserve is fueled by admiration for its community, pride in its contributions to Ohio and the allure of the University Circle area,” Kumher said. “Having been privileged to be part of this community in the past, I recognize what an honor it is to return in this new role.”
Career transition
Throughout his diverse career, Kumher has demonstrated a passion for the intersection of healthcare, education, research and risk management.
Before his higher-education compliance roles, Kumher began his career as a registered nurse in a level-one trauma center emergency department, where he eventually transitioned into research.
He served as a research nurse coordinator on several cardiac-, neurology- and trauma-related studies.
“The nursing profession provided me with a wealth of unique opportunities and experiences,” he said. “Through caring for patients in diverse environments, I developed a sincere appreciation for the fragility of life and the importance of maximizing our time.”
After earning an MBA and a master’s in project management while working, he advanced into administration, first as operations director of clinical research and later as associate compliance officer at MetroHealth Medical Center.
Kumher said he found himself increasingly drawn to roles involving risk management, which eventually led him to transition into higher education.
“The move felt like a natural progression and aligned perfectly with my passions,” he said.
For more information, contact Bill Lubinger at william.lubinger@case.edu.