About

Carolyn Woo is Distinguished President’s Fellow for Global Development at Purdue University, where she assists in various international collaborative efforts.

In 2016, Woo retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Relief Services, the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States, where she previously served on the board of directors from 2004 to 2010. From 1997 to 2011, she served as the dean of the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame; during her tenure, Mendoza was frequently recognized as the nation's leading business school in ethics education and research and received top ranking from Bloomberg Businessweek for its undergraduate business program. Prior to the University of Notre Dame, Woo served as associate executive vice president for academic affairs at Purdue University.

Woo was the first female dean to chair the accreditation body for business schools (AACSB: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and directed its initiative for Peace through Commerce. She is a recipient of honorary doctorates from Providence College, University of St. Francis, Lewis University, as well as the University of Notre Dame. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the AON Corporation; NiSource (former NIPSCO); Catholic Charities USA; Aileron Foundation; the Board of Regents, University of Portland; the Board of Governors, University of Notre Dame Australia; Archdiocese of Baltimore Independent Child Abuse Review Board; Executive Council on Development of the Center for Strategic and International Studies; Migration & Refugee Services, US Conference.

Woo holds a  master’s degree in industrial administration and a doctorate degree in strategic management from Purdue University.