Call for Nominations

David Ertel, W’87, WG’88 David Ertel is Chairman and CEO of Bayview Financial headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida.  Mr. Ertel is active in a number of philanthropic endeavors including the I Have a Dream Foundation where Mr. Ertel, through the Bayview Foundation and the JBJ Foundation, is the sponsor of 5 I Have a Dream Programs providing over 400 “Dreamers” a comprehensive long-term program of mentoring, tutoring and life skills enrichment as well as a guaranteed college scholarship.  Mr. Ertel, through the Bayview Foundation, is also the sponsor of the College Summit Miami Project and the AVID Miami Project serving approximately 10,000 students in Miami-Dade Public Schools.  Mr. Ertel also supports initiatives in global health including a partnership with VillageReach providing health services in the Balaka district of Malawi. 

Mr. Ertel is a member of the Board of Overseers for the School of Social Policy and Practice and was an active participant in the founding of the Center for High Impact Philanthropy.  Mr. Ertel earned his MBA from the Wharton School, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Economics degree with a concentration in Finance, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

Sarah W. Fuller, CW’71 Sarah W. Fuller is President of Decision Resources Inc., a leading research and advisory firm focusing in health care. The company is best known for its therapeutically focused analyses of global pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device markets and for its research on the U.S. managed care industry. During her 31 years at Decision Resources, she has served 22 years as its president.  Previously, Mrs. Fuller was a Vice President at Arthur D. Little, Inc., from which she and Sam Fleming led a buy-out in 1990. As of July 2007, Providence Equity Partners are the majority shareholders.

Mrs. Fuller serves on the School of Arts and Sciences Board of Overseers and is a member of Huntsman and the Life Sciences and Management Advisory Boards.  In addition, Mrs. Fuller is Treasurer and a Director of Cultural Survival, a non-profit that promotes the vision, rights and voice of indigenous people. She holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and an A.M. from Harvard University.  Her son, Charlie C’04 SEAS’05, is in training to be a jet pilot for the United States Air Force, while her son, Sam C’07, is majoring in Fine Arts. Her husband is a Professor Emeritus from The Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

Michael J. Kowalski, W’74 Michael J. Kowalski is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tiffany & Co., the internationally renowned jeweler. Mr. Kowalski was appointed President of Tiffany & Co. in January of 1996, assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer in February of 1999 and was appointed Chairman in January of 2003.  Prior to his current role, Mr. Kowalski served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of the company, a position he assumed in 1992.  As Executive Vice President, he was responsible for the overall management and direction of the Merchandising, Design, Marketing and Public Relations divisions.  Mr. Kowalski joined Tiffany in 1983 as Director of Planning and served as Vice President of Merchandising Administration before being appointed Group Vice President of Merchandising in 1985.  He came to Tiffany & Co. from Avon Products Inc., where he held several financial management positions.

Mr. Kowalski serves as the Chairman of the Board of Overseers of the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and as a member of the Making History Steering Committee.  He also sits on the Board of Directors of The Bank of New York Mellon and on the Board of Jewelers of America.  Mr. Kowalski earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University.  He is married and has two children. 

Alumni Trustee nominations should be forwarded to: Elise M. Betz, Director of Penn Alumni and Penn Traditions, 3533 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6226; ebetz@ben.dev.upenn.edu; 215-898-5383 (fax).