Our Team
Penn State is a complex organization that can be difficult to navigate. That’s why the Corporate Engagement Center exists: to make connections as you partner with Penn State. Our staff works to understand your goals and bring together the University’s resources across departments, offices, and services to help make the most mutually beneficial relationship possible.
Our Core Team
The Corporate Engagement Center at Penn State is comprised of a core team of industry relationship experts who help establish and maintain coordinated, multi-faceted industry relationships.
John Peterson
Director of Corporate Engagement
LinkedIn
Our Leadership
The center is a joint initiative of the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and the Office of University Development, working in partnership with Career Services.
The Corporate Relations Committee
Under the direction of the Senior Vice President for Research and the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations, the Corporate Relations Committee fosters a community of corporate engagement by gathering senior leadership from across the University committed to maximizing the benefits of strategically aligned, university-industry relationships and amplifying the mission of the Corporate Engagement Center.
Our Extended Team
The extended team are professionals who are embedded in colleges, campuses, and units across the University. The team represents the areas of holistic engagement and works closely with the Corporate Engagement Center to create and execute unified strategies for our partners.
Our Advisory Committee
The Corporate Engagement Advisory Committee brings industry perspective to the center and assists in aligning business needs with Penn State capabilities. The committee is tasked with helping to expand Penn State’s network of corporate contacts and providing guidance on strategies maximizing philanthropic and research support from corporations.
Steven B. Wagman (Chair)
National Healthcare Business Leader
Siemens Industry–Smart Infrastructure
Janet S. Vergis (Vice Chair)
Retired, CEO
OraPharma
Craig Jackman
Vice President, Human Resources
W.R. Grace & Company
Robert J. Kumpf
Specialist Executive
Deloitte Consulting LLP
Rebecca L. Lucore
Head of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility
Covestro LLC
Timothy N. Magner
Retired, Country Manager and President
Chevron
Heather F. Major
Director
Independence Blue Cross Foundation
Daniel P. Mooney
Retired Vice President, South Carolina Engineering Design Center
The Boeing Company
Nicki Palmer
Chief Product Development Officer
Verizon
Rick Wenger
Vice President, Industry Executive Advisory – Consumer Industries
SAP America, INC.
