H.O.W. has partnered with Baret Leadership Consulting to provide executive coaching services to its clients.
Carolyn Stefanco, PhD, founder and CEO of Baret, shares more than 35 years of experience and draws upon lessons learned from her time as a CEO.
As a first-generation college student who became a CEO, Dr. Carolyn J. Stefanco is a woman who has defied the odds in her career and is passionate about helping others to explore new professional heights.
After obtaining a Ph.D. in women's history and serving for two decades as a tenured professor, Carolyn held positions as dean, vice president, and president in both public and private American universities. Her experience ranges from campuses in a large public system to private liberal arts colleges, and includes leadership positions at a polytechnic, a women's college, and an Hispanic Serving Institution. Along with the vast array of roles she has held in U.S. higher education, she is renowned as an expert in women's leadership, in international engagement, and in nonprofit governance, and she sits on U.S. and global boards in several industries, including health care.
Carolyn's work has always incorporated a global perspective, and she continues to provide leadership and thought capital on international issues. She was a Senior Fulbright Scholar to the University of Zagreb in Croatia, served as resident director of a London Study Program, worked as a consultant for Saudi Arabia, and was a trustee and board chair of the American University in Bulgaria. She is currently an associate member of the Centre for Cross-Cultural Management at the University of Wollongong, Australia, and represents the public universities in South Africa in their partnerships in Europe and North America.
In addition to forging global connections, she is active in multiple arenas of women's leadership and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Carolyn has founded and led numerous programs to support women's career advancement, she has recruited accomplished and diverse board members from around the world, and she has raised millions of dollars to launch initiatives to prepare diverse young women for leadership in their professions and communities. A sought-after speaker on women's issues, she publishes regularly in popular and scholarly venues. She recently received a Helen Gurley Brown Genius Award in recognition of her visionary leadership and inspiring and transformative work.
Carolyn began her work as an Executive Coach in 2010, and her clients have held leadership positions in global corporations and in a wide range of higher education institutions. While serving as a confidential partner on their leadership journeys, she asks questions to help clients see challenges and opportunities from new perspectives. Unlike the majority of coaches, Carolyn has experience as a senior leader and CEO, which allows her to share lessons learned from her own experience. She also demonstrates understanding of coaching from the client's point of view, given her 8 years of experience working with her own executive coach. As a scholar, Carolyn shares knowledge of research on leadership, women's advancement, management, and gender and equity issues. Most significantly, she supports clients as they consider new roles and industries, assess their strengths and weaknesses, develop plans to increase their skills and gain experience, and apply and interview for new leadership positions.
After a free 60 minute consultation, clients can choose 6 or 12 month coaching engagements. Sessions are scheduled once a week for 1 hour in duration. Carolyn is also available to review documents, to conduct research, and to meet other specific needs of her executive coaching clients.
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Academic Administration
President, The College of Saint Rose, a Master’s Comprehensive institution in Albany, New York (2014 - 2020)
-Launched innovative student success programs and 12 new undergraduate degrees, 3 graduate degrees, and 3 certificate programs in high-demand fields
-Expanded student recruiting efforts
-Created partnerships in Africa, Asia, and Europe
Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of the College, Professor of History and Women’s Studies, Agnes Scott College (2010 - 2014)
Founding Dean and Professor of History, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, California State University, Stanislaus (2007 - 2010)
Professor, History department chair, and Women’s Studies program director, California Polytechnic State University (1990 - 2007)
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Women's Leadership
Received Helen Gurley Brown Foundation Genius Award in recognition of her decades of achievement
Founded Women's Leadership Institute at The College of Saint Rose
Recruited an accomplished advisory board and led Saint Rose to be selected as one of only six institutions of higher education in the United States to be invited to join the BOLD Women's Leadership Network
Raised millions of dollars to launch initiatives to prepare diverse young women for leadership in their professions and communities
Sought-after speaker on women’s issues
Frequent contributor to popular and scholarly venues
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Board Service
Certified Board Advisor
Presidents Governance Academy, Certificate
Harvard University, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Women on Boards, Certificate
Board Director, The Albany Med Health System
Board Member, International Leadership Association
Past board service:
American Council on Education (ACE), Women's Network Executive Council
American University in Bulgaria, Trustee and Board Chair
Center for Executive Growth in New York
Northeast 10 Presidents Council, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Athletic Conference, Treasurer
Metro Atlanta Chamber
Hearst's Women@Work
The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
Association of Chief Academic Officers
Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences
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Professional Activity
Thought leader with speaking engagements at:
Academic Management Institute
Alliance for Higher Education and Democracy, University of Pennsylvania
American Council on Education
The Annapolis Group
Association of American Colleges and Universities
Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
Association of International Education Administrators
The Compact for Faculty Diversity
Council for Advancement and Support of Education
Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences
Council of Independent Colleges
Credo
EAB
EducationUSA, U.S. Department of State
Hearst Media
HERS, Higher Education Resource Services
Higher Education Leadership & Management, Universities South Africa
International Leadership Association
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
National Women's Leadership Forum
TIAA
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