Case Western Reserve University President Eric W. Kaler has announced the chair and membership for the university’s next chief financial officer and executive vice president search committee. Provost and Executive Vice President Joy K. Ward will chair the committee.
Ward became provost and executive vice president on Jan. 1, 2024, after serving as interim provost. In these roles, she has led the development of a strategic initiative to add 100 net new tenured and tenure-track faculty positions, collaborated on planning for the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building and oversaw the launch of a restructured Undergraduate Advising Support Office and implementation of new Undergraduate General Education Requirements. Ward also served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 2020 to 2023.
“Provost Ward’s exceptional leadership and deep knowledge of all aspects of the university makes her well-positioned to chair this search committee,” Kaler said. “Her expertise, combined with the diverse voices and strengths of the search committee membership will guide us through this important process.”
In addition to Ward, the committee membership includes:
- Ragu Balakrishnan, Dean of the Case School of Engineering
- Katie Brancato, Vice President, Chief of Staff and Strategic Advisor to the President
- Paul Bristol, Vice Dean for Finance and Administration, School of Medicine
- Carolyn Gregory, Vice President for Human Resources
- J. Michael Oakes, Senior Vice President for Research and Technology Management
- Simon Peck, Associate Professor, Department of Design & Innovation, Weatherhead School of Management
- Peter M. Poulos, Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Risk Management Officer and Secretary of the Corporation
- John Smolik, Assistant Dean of Finance and Operations
The executive search firm WittKieffer, led by Senior Partner and Chief Quality Officer James U. King, will assist the university in this national search for a candidate to succeed Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President John Sideras, who will retire Jan. 31, 2025. The committee will begin its work in July with the goal to conclude by the end of 2024.