Keynote Speaker — Carolyn Yauyan Woo, Ph.D.

Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo assumed leadership of Baltimore-based Catholic Relief Services (CRS), one of the world's largest humanitarian relief agencies, on Jan. 3, 2012. As the seventh president of CRS, Woo leads an agency with an operating budget of nearly $1 billion and a global staff of 5,000 that serves more than 100 million people in nearly 100 countries.

Prior to joining CRS, Woo was the dean of the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame, since 1997. The Mendoza College of Business, frequently recognized as the leading business school in ethics education and research, currently is ranked no. 1 for its undergraduate business program by Bloomberg Businessweek for the second consecutive year. Previously, Woo served as associate executive vice president for academic affairs at Purdue University. She joined Purdue as assistant professor in 1981, became full professor in 1991 and directed the Professional Master's Programs in the Krannert School of Management from 1993 to 1995.

Woo's research focuses on strategy, entrepreneurship and organizational systems. She lectures regularly on individual integrity, ethical systems and corporate citizenship. Dean Woo received the International Council for Small Business Distinguished Scholar Award, Best Paper Award (Entrepreneurship Division, Academy of Management, 1991, 1992) and the Salgo-Noren Award for Outstanding Teaching in the Master's Programs. In 1997, she was inducted into the Order of the Griffin by Purdue University for service and commitment. In 1998, Change, a publication of the American Association for Higher Education, named Woo one of 40 Young Leaders of the Academy. Woo received the 2002 Excellence Award for Education from the Asian American Alliance and the 2003 John S. Day Distinguished Alumni Academic Service Award from Purdue University. She holds honorary doctorates from the University of St. Francis, Lewis University and Providence College. She was elected Chair of the AACSB International, the global accreditation body for business schools in 2002. The Mendoza College of Business was recognized in 2010 by Catholic Charities USA with a Centennial Medal for its contribution in providing service to the poor.

Woo is married to David E. Bartkus and they have two sons, Ryan and Justin, who are both Notre Dame graduates.