Campus News

Rockford University President Eric W. Fulcomer, Ph.D., announces the appointment of Lisa Custardo, CPA, CGMA, MBA, CC-SEI, as Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Custardo brings more than 20-years of finance and management experience within the health and education services and non-profit industries.

A native of Illinois, Ms. Custardo currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of Alliance for a Healthier Generation headquartered in New York, NY. She has also served as Vice President, Finance and Operations at Greenheart International in Chicago, Ill., as well as in increasing leadership roles including Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director for Marklund, a non-profit organization headquarter in Geneva, Ill., that serves infants, children, teens and adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities and special healthcare needs.

Ms. Custardo earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Ill., and a master’s in business administration from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Ill. Additionally, she is credentialed as a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and holds certificates as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Coach (CC-SEI), Trainer & Facilitator – Social + Emotional Intelligence focused for business leaders, and as a Certified Mentor Coach (CC).

President Fulcomer notes, “I’m excited to welcome Lisa to our campus and to the community. Lisa is a seasoned and proven leader who is well-versed in managing the complex financial needs specific to non-profit organizations. Her expertise will serve Rockford University well in our efforts to grow all aspects the University while maintaining strong fiscal disciplines and practices.”

Ms. Custardo adds, “These are such extraordinary times in higher education. We are presented with a very challenging landscape which consistently calls for more innovative business approaches, unique leveraging of resources and creative student engagement, while continuing to hold strong demand for traditional offerings and programs. I’m deeply inspired by that call to action. When I couple that with the chance to join Rockford University – an institution rich in history and steeped in academic excellence, honor and value – I see that I have been given a very special opportunity. Even further, after meeting Dr. Fulcomer and the talented group of professionals that I will have the distinct pleasure of collaborating with, I know I’ve also found my new home. This is a profound moment in my career, and I look forward to the future with excitement about our work together and the impact we’ll make on the field of higher education.”

Ms. Custardo was part of a nation-wide search to replace Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Tina Anderson who transitioned to full-time teaching at the University for the spring 2019 semester. Anderson is now Assistant Professor of Accounting in the Puri School of Business. Campus visits for finalists were conducted in December 2018. Custardo will officially begin her duties with Rockford University on February 4, 2019.