Seattle University Hires New CFO

Wilson Garone has been appointed Seattle University’s vice president and chief financial officer (CFO). He will begin Aug. 1.

 Announcing Garone’s appointment on June 21, President Stephen Sundborg, S.J., wrote, “Wilson brings three decades of experience as an accomplished leader and finance professional…As we navigate the opportunities and challenges of a changing higher education landscape with its critical financial aspects, deepen our commitment to inclusive excellence and advance in our Jesuit mission, Wilson’s background, experience and values are what Seattle University needs at this time.”

Garone (right) brings to SU a wealth of experience in the business world, most notably Microsoft, where he worked for more than 20 years and was finance leader of the corporation’s largest division, Sales, Marketing and Services, overseeing a budget of $100 billion. 

Father Sundborg also noted Garone’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as community engagement. At Microsoft he led the Hispanic/Latino Community as executive sponsor and created the Finance Community Impact Project, which provides technology and partnerships to benefit students in countries such as India, Kenya, Costa Rica and Malaysia. 

Born and raised in Brazil to a family that included numerous professors, Garone has always appreciated the value and impact of higher education. “I’m thrilled to join Seattle University as the new CFO,” he said. “I’m very humbled by the quality of people from faculty, staff and students that I met during the recruiting process, and I’m honored to be joining their ranks. I’m committed to be a learner as I transition from the business world to higher education; I’m committed to be a supporter of Seattle University’s mission and live its values every day. I believe, together, we can work on challenges and explore opportunities, in alignment with the Jesuit mission, and the result will be worthy of both the legacy of Seattle University and the amazing future of its students.”