Many successful journeys
Amsterdam, Netherlands
“Dr. Carolyn Stefanco is an amazing leader who is dedicated to making a difference. I first met Carolyn while serving on the International Leadership Association (ILA) Board. As a new Board member, Carolyn made me feel welcome and valued my perspective. While she has many strengths as a leader and coach, I admire how she demonstrates the ability to listen to diverse opinions without judging and to bring a team to consensus. Carolyn is a visionary leader who understands the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion – especially in today’s private and public sectors. I am privileged to know Carolyn and to work with her on the ILA Board.”
—Dr. Joanne Barnes, Dean of the Graduate School, Professor in Organizational Leadership Program, Indiana Wesleyan University; Kozai Group – Senior Consultant, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
“Carolyn's probing questions, attention to detail, and encouragement have helped me navigate gracefully around potential pitfalls and hazards. Carolyn has been very helpful in my development of a plan and staying focused on establishing myself in this new presidency-from our early conversations before I formally started to my first Board meeting and beyond. I highly commend Carolyn as an executive coach. She's highly gifted and I would not want to be on this journey without her.”
—Dr. Susanna Baxter, President, LaGrange College
“Carolyn immediately recognized my potential and asked me what my future held in store within higher education. I responded that I wanted to work with students and help improve outcomes. Carolyn has not only been a champion of student success and diversity and inclusion, but her commitment to women's leadership has also stood out in the higher education industry. She is a scholar on this subject but also a practitioner who walks the talk.”
—Dr. Shai L. Butler, Interim Vice President for Advancement & External Affairs, Springfield Technical Community College
“In addition to bringing her wide-ranging experience as a leader with a global reach and a global mindset to the board of directors of the International Leadership Association, Carolyn is a champion of effective governance, diversity initiatives and recruitment efforts to expand membership of our association beyond North America. She is integral to our strategic goals as the chair of the ILA Fund Development Committee, charged with developing resources to support the growth of the organization.”
—Dr. Cynthia Cherrey, President and CEO, International Leadership Association
“Carolyn understands a wide range of institutions—from public to private, from the comfortable to those in need of substantial change. Her ability to size up leadership potential of candidates for positions in many different institutional contexts is excellent, as is her judgment.”
—Dr. Richard Ekman, Former President, The Council of Independent Colleges
“At the beginning of our time together, Carolyn helped me to affirm my professional strengths and supported me as I developed strategies to approach areas of growth. Carolyn is warm, engaging, and truly cares about the individuals that she coaches. It's been an honor and a pleasure to work with her, and I would unequivocally recommend her.”
—Dr. Carrie Collins, Chief Advancement Officer, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
“My wish to establish a collaborative approach to leadership rooted in my own scholarly background in feminist practice was well understood by Carolyn and affirmed by her. She helped me do this in putting together my leadership team by helping me compose diplomatic responses to questions that were at times hostile.”
—Dr. Kate Conley, Professor of French & Francophone Studies and Former Dean of Arts & Sciences, William & Mary
“I truly appreciate Carolyn’s approach to the challenges facing higher education. Her deep experience in quite different settings brings vision and perspective to her work. She is a truly ‘outside-in’ thinker. Her insights from experiences in diverse institutions both within and outside the United States are much in evidence through her inclusive and thoughtful solutions.”
—Sue Cunningham, President & CEO, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
“Carolyn is delightful to work with and has deep and insightful observations on a range of issues and topics. Often I reach out to Carolyn for her input on ‘Chair’ matters because I know she has been through these issues before and can help me to see and understand the options available to moving forward.”
— Robert T. Cushing, Chairman of the Board, Albany Med Health System
“Carolyn has been a fearless leader in higher education with a solid understanding of the research behind her actions. She has written about leadership while also having practical experience—a true scholar-practitioner.”
— Dr. Lisa DeFrank-Cole, Professor and Director of Leadership, West Virginia University
“Carolyn has been an avid supporter of women’s issues in higher education. As I began my new leadership position in higher education, Carolyn listened to my ideas and my concerns and helped me process my experiences. She is insightful and offers a collaborative approach to help me attain my goals. She is clearly a strategic global thinker who understands the complexity of diversity, equity and inclusion for higher education institutions.”
—Dr. Gretchel L. Hathaway, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Franklin and Marshall College
“She listens carefully, probes me to think deeper about influencing factors, challenges me to think of broader perspectives, and encourages me to continue to reflect. She works this process with a sense of purpose, empathy, and humor that keeps me engaged. I am a more considered leader as a result.”
—Dr. John Heiser, CEO, global technology company
"Carolyn Stefanco is a passionate educator, an accomplished scholar, an able administrator, and a seasoned leader. She complements these experiences with the skills of an empathetic listener and a clear thinker to provide wise counsel and meaningful feedback to support others in their personal and professional growth."
— Dr. Rock Jones, President, Ohio Wesleyan University
“Carolyn combines extensive experience of leadership management and governance in both a domestic (US) and in a wider international context. This enables her to bring innovative ideas from her own work and that of her wider network to her clients in both contexts, a matter of increasing importance.”
—Dr. Tom Kennie, Director, Ranmore, UK
"As a college student in one of Carolyn's history classes years ago, I was impressed with her deep expertise in women's issues. Today, I am delighted to reconnect with her on my professional journey. Carolyn's insights into strategic decision making and leadership opportunities were easily transferred to the corporate world I navigate daily. She encouraged me to examine things from a different perspective and helped me consider alternative solutions to various challenges. Our collaboration resulted in my promotion to chief compliance officer for a cybersecurity company. Carolyn's support was also instrumental to me as I prepared for the presidency of a professional association."
—Stephanie (Shores) Lambert, Esq., Chief Compliance Officer, NetScout Systems, Inc., President, Association of Corporate Counsel, Northeast Chapter
“Carolyn’s commitment to university women’s leadership internationally is legendary and her achievements in this regard laudable. Carolyn’s knowledge and guidance will be of immense value for me and our team in the conceptualisation of a regional university women’s leadership programme for Africa, in 2021 at Universities South Africa.”
—Dr. Oliver Seale, Director, Higher Education Leadership and Management, Universities South Africa
“Carolyn Stefanco is bringing fresh and compelling ideas and advice to her clients. As a three-time college president who served a total of 28 years, I recommend her strongly as a higher education leader who provides impact and value.”
— Jake B. Schrum, Former President, Emory & Henry College, Southwestern University, and Texas Wesleyan University
“I have found Carolyn’s advice thoughtful and sound – regardless if it highlights challenges I need to face. She uses the win-win strategy to find solutions in even the most challenging situations.”
—Dr. Elizabeth (Libby) Wentz, Vice Provost and Dean, Graduate College, Arizona State University
"Carolyn brings tremendous passion to her leadership of global engagement efforts. More than any senior level administrator with whom I have worked in my 30 year career in international education, she demonstrates a deep understanding of the field, great enthusiasm for the sometimes difficult on-the-ground work in other countries, and an unparalleled commitment to creating partnerships that are mutually beneficial. Carolyn brings to clients an extensive global network, and her experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion ensures that everyone from university partners to international students feel respected and supported."
