Rowan University Foundation Board elects Carty-Sipp as chair and adds three new members

The Rowan University Foundation Board has elected April Carty-Sipp as its new chair and appointed three new members with expertise in the fields of engineering, medicine and communication to reflect the expanding profile of the University.

A seasoned television executive and Rowan alumnus, Carty-Sipp will build on the strong work of former Board chair, Jack Hafner, leading the Board’s efforts as the institution navigates the challenges of providing affordable and relevant educational opportunities for all students.

“It is an honor to serve my alma mater as Foundation chair,” said Carty-Sipp. “I look forward to working with the entire Board to help Rowan remain resilient and agile in the face of uncertainty to achieve the ambitious goals established by President Ali Houshmand and the Rowan University Board of Trustees.”

Carty-Sipp, Executive Vice President of Industry Affairs for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), has served on the Board since 2013. She has 20 years of experience in the television industry leading marketing, branding, creative and programming teams. Before joining NAB, Carty-Sipp was vice president/director of programming at Disney ABC-owned WPVI-TV Philadelphia. She graduated from Rowan with a bachelor’s degree in communications, specializing in Radio/TV/Film, in 1993.

Joining Carty-Sipp are three new members—Angela M. Brown of Winslow Township, Brighid Burgin Hoempler of College Station, TX, and Dr. Stephanie Schlitt of Haddonfield—who were confirmed by Rowan University’s Board of Trustees in June for three-year terms. The new members will deepen the expertise of the Foundation Board as it collectively represents the evolving institution.

“The University’s growth and progress have created the need to find diverse, highly qualified leaders for our boards and we are thrilled to have these individuals lend their expertise and knowledge to guide the Foundation Board’s efforts,” President Houshmand said.

Brown is co-founder of Perfecting Ministries in Sewell, where she serves as executive director of Loving Our Cities, a 501c3 community development corporation with a mission to enhance the quality of life in distressed communities—locally and abroad—through transformative advocacy and restorative engagement. A recognized community leader, speaker and author, she leverages nearly 20 years of experience in public relations, international affairs, issues management and advocacy to amplify the voices of women, champion causes of the marginalized and oppressed and foster reconciliation where we live, work, serve and worship. Brown is an ordained minister who holds a certificate in non-profit management from La Salle University, attended Hampton University and graduated from Rowan in 1998 with a B.A. in communication and a certificate in African American Studies.

Hoempler is Global Automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer Advisor, Passenger Vehicle Lubricants at ExxonMobil. She launched her engineering career as a heavy-duty diesel engine oil formulator at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering in Paulsboro in 2012, and subsequently worked on fuels differentiation and recruiting. She earned a B.S. in chemical engineering from Rowan University in 2012 and an MBA from Rutgers University–Camden. Hoempler serves on the College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board and was a member of Rowan University’s Alumni Association Board of Directors for seven years.

Schlitt is a pediatrician in the Haddon Heights office of Advocare Haddon Pediatric Group. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Pennsylvania and earned her medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Upon completing her residency in Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in 1997, she joined Advocare Haddon Pediatric Group.

“Rowan University is fortunate to have the leadership provided by the Foundation Board,” said R.J. Tallarida, Jr., executive director of the Rowan University Foundation and vice president for University Advancement. “These appointments reflect the Board’s commitment to supporting the University as it continues to transform higher education and make the most of evolving opportunities.”

The Rowan University Foundation oversees and coordinates all fundraising activities and is responsible for the management and investment of all charitable contributions to benefit the University. In addition to Carty-Sipp, the Board officers include Vice Chair Reginald Middleton of Cherry Hill, Treasurer Michael Connallon of Middletown and Secretary David Burgin of Sewell.