Mountain Talk: Philanthropy's Impact on Lehigh
Friday, September 25 | 12:15 pm
About the Event
Join Chris Cook, senior vice president for finance and administration, and Carol Packard, vice president for development and alumni relations, as they provide the broader Lehigh community — specifically alumni, parents, and students — with transparent insight into Lehigh’s financial model. This rare opportunity explores how university finances are managed operationally and demonstrates how philanthropy bridges critical funding gaps to support core institutional priorities.
We aim to strategically reach and engage our widest possible audience in a meaningful conversation about institutional stewardship and philanthropic impact.
Cost: Free to attend
Staff Contact: Bryce Neff
About the Speakers
Event Details
When: Friday, September 25, 2026, 12:15-1 p.m. Eastern
Online via Zoom
RSVP by: Thursday, September 24
Chris Cook, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration
Chris Cook has spent 35 years building a career in higher education, culminating in her current role leading Lehigh University's financial and administrative operations. As senior vice president for Finance and Administration, she provides leadership, oversight, and stewardship for the university's financial resources and serves as a strategic advisor to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees. Her portfolio spans the budget office, finance and treasury, facilities and campus planning, human resources, auxiliary services, information technology, and campus safety.
Cook joined Lehigh in 2022 as vice president for strategic planning and initiatives, where she led Lehigh’s Inspiring the Future Makers strategic planning process, and she transitioned to finance and administration in 2024. During her time at Lehigh, she has served as the executive sponsor of the Clayton University Center renovation project and brought her transformative leadership approach to bear on projects that have included implementing a new resource allocation and reporting tool, reimagining the recruitment process, and prioritizing the end-user experience.
Before joining Lehigh University, Cook worked at Dartmouth College, serving most recently as vice provost for strategic initiatives and resource planning where she advised the provost on academic and operational matters, provided guidance and leadership on strategic projects, engaged in space planning, and represented the provost on capital projects. She also served as chief financial and administrative officer for the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth from 2016 to 2020. Prior to that, she spent 23 years at the University of Delaware where she served in various roles including senior business officer for the College of Engineering and associate provost for research administration.
Carol Packard, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations
Carol Packard joined Lehigh University as vice president for Development and Alumni Relations in April 2024 and now leads a team of over 120 professionals dedicated to growing the institution’s community of philanthropists and engaged alumni, parents, and friends. With a focus on Lehigh’s $1.25 billion effort, GO Beyond: The Campaign for Future Makers, Packard works strategically alongside the president, deans, senior leaders, and the Board of Trustees to shape opportunities for transformational giving that advance the university’s strategy and goals. Her leadership approach is both data driven and human centered, grounded in the purpose of elevating people and forging healthy and vibrant teams.
Packard has more than 20 years of experience in both the private sector and higher education. With expertise in strategic business and relationship development, informed by a keen understanding of marketing and communications, she successfully shaped three separate billion-dollar campaigns at two R1 institutions. She is known as a thought leader in growing programs that recognize the vital role of women and other underrepresented populations in philanthropy.
Prior to Lehigh, Packard held key leadership roles in development at Cornell University, including its College of Engineering, and Penn State University. At both institutions, she led teams to new levels of success, driving significant contributions in philanthropy and engagement with alumni. In the private sector, she excelled in positions at Foster Avenue (formerly Snavely Associates) and AccuWeather Inc., consistently surpassing financial targets through thoughtful and informed relationship building and negotiation with C-suite executive teams.
Packard, a first-generation college student, was a Schreyer Honors scholar at Penn State University, where she earned a B.S. in English literature and an M.Ed. in higher education administration.
DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS
LEHIGH UNIVERSITY
306 S. New Street, Suite 500
Bethlehem, PA 18015-1652
(866) 758-ALUM
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