Lourdes University President Mary Ann Gawelek, Ed.D., is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to its board of trustees – Sheila Eason, Martha E. Vetter and Sr. Rebecca Rutkowski, OSF.
“Lourdes is thrilled to welcome Ms. Eason, Ms. Vetter and Sr. Rebecca to our Board of Trustees. The University will benefit from their community connections and the expertise they bring in organizational development, human resources, public relations, journalism, social work and business” says Gawelek.
Sheila Eason is the founder and CEO of Elevate People Solutions, LLC, a leadership and personal development consultancy. With more than 25 years of experience helping organizations leverage human capital to their maximum potential, Eason provides workshops and training in the areas of leadership, personal development and diversity and inclusion.
A certified speaker, trainer, and coach with the John Maxwell Team, Eason delivers interactive an educational experience to audiences in order to elevate their skills and develop transformational leaders. As a coach, she helps create awareness and facilitate learning and growth in her clients.
Eason is a graduate of Bowling Green State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and a Master of Science in Organizational Development. She holds both Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certifications. She is past president of the Northwest Ohio Human Resources Association and served as Diversity Chair for several years.
Martha E. Vetter is a public relations and communications expert, with more than 35 years of experience. Vetter was the founder and CEO of R/P Marketing Public Relations (now Transcend Strategy Group), until she sold the firm in 2017. During her 25 years with R/P she was recognized nationally as an expert in hospice marketing and received over 100 local, regional, and national PR, healthcare, hospice, advertising and public relations awards including the Toledo Press Club Lifetime Achievement Award, Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvil Award, and the Girl Scouts of America Woman of Distinction Award.
Ms. Vetter received a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Public Relations from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Business and Organizational Communication from the University of Akron.
Sr. Rebecca Rutkowski currently serves as a Councilor and Congregational Treasurer for the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania. Sister Rebecca arrived in Biloxi, Mississippi in 1993 and served as Director of Catholic Social and Community Services. In 2002, she became the first woman appointed Chancellor for the Diocese, a position she maintained until being elected to the Leadership team with the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio.
Sister Rebecca received an Associate of Arts in Business from Henry Ford Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Toledo, and a Masters in Social Work from St. Louis University.