CATHY A. TROWER

Ph.D., President

For 25 years, Dr. Trower has provided consulting and coaching services to over 300 nonprofits including dozens of colleges and universities, independent schools, hospitals and healthcare systems, foundations, federated organizations, associations, and international NGOs. Her consulting focuses on improving board performance including best practices to enhance board culture and deliberations; foster an effective partnership with the CEO and senior leaders; improve strategic thinking and decision-making; and ensure effective committee structure, board composition, and accountability.

Trower spent 16 years at the Harvard Graduate School of Education consulting, researching, writing about, and speaking on faculty career matters including race, gender, and generational DEI. Prior to Harvard, Cathy served as a senior-level administrator of business degree programs at Johns Hopkins University for four years. For four years prior to that, she was a faculty member and department chair at a liberal arts college.

Previously, Dr. Trower served as the Chair of the RiverWoods Board of Trustees and Chair of the BoardSource Board of Directors. Cathy served on the Wheaton College, MA Board of Trustees from 2012 to 2017. She holds a BBA (1981) and an MBA (1984) from the University of Iowa, and a Ph.D. (1996) in higher education administration and leadership from the University of Maryland, College Park.  Curriculum vitae available upon request.

Public Speaking Engagements

Dr. Trower has been invited to speak on the subject of governance at numerous conferences, institutes, webinars, and meetings nationwide. View a list of some of the organizations here.

“Cathy Trower has been instrumental in providing governance consulting services to the trustees and management of the Baylor Health Care System.  She shares her enthusiasm and knowledge of the ‘best in class’ governance models in today’s fast-paced health care environment which translates into action and a commitment to excellence.  She has worked tirelessly on resources for our executives and board members to read and use as an effective model of governance for non-profit boards across the United States.  I am honored to call Cathy a true friend and wish her well in growing her consulting work.”

Joel T. Allison

Chief Executive Officer, Baylor Scott & White Health Care