Milwaukee, (April 19, 2023) – Alverno College’s Board of Trustees announced today they have unanimously selected Milwaukee native and local executive Christy L. Brown, J.D. as the College’s ninth president. She succeeds Sister Andrea Lee, IHM, Ph.D. who ended her service in June 2022.

Brown has served as Chief Executive Officer for Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast (GSWISE) since 2012. With more than 17,000 members, GSWISE provides programming in seven area counties designed to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.

“I see a comparable goal in Alverno’s mission to prepare women for personal and professional distinction and meaningful engagement with the world,” Brown said. “To lead Alverno College – embracing its unique identity, Franciscan values, dedication to women’s education and commitment to social justice, inclusion and equity – will be a privilege and extraordinary opportunity to continue to impact the city from which I come.”

Brown starts her term July 5. Building on Alverno’s strengths, she will drive academic excellence and innovation, continue to attract courageous and forward-thinking students who look to develop themselves and contribute to their communities, and expand Alverno’s national and international reputation.

“Christy brings to Alverno a unique mix of higher education and mission-driven expertise focused on girls and young women’s leadership development,” said Katherine M. Hudson, Chair of Alverno’s Board of Trustees and Presidential Search Committee Co-Chair. “She is a dynamic, inspirational and transformational leader with more than two decades of results advancing organizational mission, vision and values while achieving unprecedented operational outcomes.”

In its search for its ninth president, Alverno's Presidential Search Committee worked with the firm Spencer Stuart to find a leader who is deeply committed to the transformative power of a women’s liberal arts education with a continued focus on academic excellence, inclusion, justice, and collaboration. The Alverno community believed the ideal experience of a new president would include:

• A dynamic, enthusiastic, and inspiring leader who will raise the profile of Alverno College and attract financial resources by effectively communicating a compelling narrative and vision to a broad network of constituencies.
• Strong operational and financial acumen with the ability to manage and allocate resources in support of an institution’s values and strategic goals.
• Academic stature paired with intellectual curiosity. Deeply committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and the educational mission that values the dignity of each person;
  ensures that care for creation is part of the curriculum; and promotes a campus culture of justice, peace, and joy.
• Proven success in creating a diverse and inclusive environment where differences of all kinds are celebrated and embraced and where a measurable impact has been made.
  A successful track record of making priority decisions and delivering measurable results.
• Deep knowledge and respect for higher education, especially the undergraduate education of women, and a forward-thinking approach to emerging trends, innovations, and opportunities.
• A leadership style characterized by collegiality, empathy, transparency, trust, and collaboration.