BGSU Trustee Valerie Newell finishes term

BGSU Trustee Valerie Newell concluded her term this month with the distinction of being one of only two people who have served on all three University boards—the Alumni Board, Foundation Board and Board of Trustees.

Valerie Newell

Newell was appointed to the board of trustees in January 1993 by Governor George Voinovich. She served as chair of the Board of Trustees and in the past served as chair of the board’s finance, audit and investment committees. Newell also serves on the BGSU College of Business Administration Advisory Council and has previously taught as an executive-in-residence.

A 1975 magna cum laude graduate, Newell was named BGSU’s Outstanding Woman Graduate that year. Currently, she is managing director and senior portfolio manager of RiverPoint Capital management, an independent SEC-registered investment adviser. Newell specializes in managing investment portfolios for high net-worth individuals, families and foundations.

Newell is pleased with the way BGSU has developed during her term as trustee. “As an investment adviser and CPA I have a very specialized skill set. It means a lot to me when I can use my day-to-day expertise to affect positive change. It’s important to speak up when there is a process worth adopting or an idea worth pursuing. When you become involved with an organization to the extent I have with BGSU, you accept an enormous amount of responsibility for that organization’s future health and success. My experience with the University has been deeply satisfying with the progress made during Dr. Sidney Ribeau’s administration. It has been wonderful to see the faculty and staff work together to make significant strides in positioning BGSU as a leader in higher education.”

“Valerie’s commitment to the University has been unwavering,” said Ribeau. “Her expertise as an investment advisor and a CPA has enabled her to steer us through the new Sarbanes-Oxley governance requirements, and she has been extremely helpful in developing the investment policy and strategies for the University’s investments.”

Newell is active in civic and community affairs, serving on numerous boards as a trustee, including the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Cincinnati Museum Center and Cincinnati Parks Foundation.