Carolyn Woo joins Purdue to serve in global development capacity

Carolyn Yauyan Woo
Download image

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Carolyn Yauyan Woo has been named Distinguished President’s Fellow for Global Development at Purdue University, effective immediately. 

She recently retired from serving as president and CEO of the Catholic Relief Services, the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Woo served with the organization from 2011-2016.

 Woo’s ties to Purdue University began as a student in 1972, then as a faculty member and administrator until 1997 when she became the dean of the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business from 1997-2011.

She brings a wealth of experience in international development, expertise in entrepreneurship and business, and strong interest in public-private partnerships. Woo will assist with various international collaborative efforts, said Suresh Garimella, executive vice president for research and partnerships.

“We are excited for the opportunity to engage with and learn from Carolyn,” Garimella said. “She has a reputation of turning good things into great things, which she did previously at Purdue, Notre Dame and CRS.  We are honored by her willingness to reengage with Purdue and will greatly benefit from her insight and expertise.”

Woo welcomes the opportunity to reconnect with Purdue. “I am so proud of the work that is going on at Purdue.  There is a spirit of energy, boldness and commitment.  I am inspired and grateful to be a part of this work and unfolding solutions to serve more people with sustainable solutions,” she said.

Woo was born and raised in Hong Kong and immigrated to the United States to attend Purdue, where she received her bachelor’s degree in economics, her master’s degree in industrial administration and her doctorate degree in strategic management.  She credits Purdue for her access to higher education through the full scholarships and fellowships she received while attending the university.  She joined the Krannert School of Management faculty and later became associate executive vice president for academic affairs at Purdue. 

Contact: Pam Burroff-Murr, burroff@purdue.edu