Bibiana Boerio, former senior Ford executive, has been named Interim President of Seton Hill University. The announcement was made by Michele Ridge, chair of the University’s Board of Trustees. Ms. Boerio will serve in this role as a national search is conducted for a successor to JoAnne Boyle, who is retiring from Seton Hill following 25 years at the helm of the University. Ms. Boerio’s appointment is effective August 1, 2013.

“We are extremely pleased that Bibiana “Bibie” Boerio has agreed to serve as Interim President for Seton Hill University,” said Ridge. “She is a distinguished businesswoman and will provide keen leadership during an important period in the University’s history. She has a clear appreciation of and commitment to Seton Hill’s distinctive identity as a Catholic, liberal arts institution.”

JoAnne Boyle said, “Bibiana Boerio has been an instrumental part of Seton Hill’s move forward through her active participation in the life of the University as a Trustee and distinguished graduate. When you work with Bibie you sense immediately her energy, her passion and her acuity. Her business acumen will continue to help the University on many levels, but particularly as we work on campus expansion projects that will enhance the Seton Hill experience for all students.”

Sr. Catherine Meinert, Provincial Superior and President of the U.S. Province of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill said, "As the sponsoring religious community for Seton Hill University, the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill are delighted that Bibiana Boerio will serve as Interim President. We are confident that she will continue to advance the legacy of our distinctive Setonian tradition."

Ridge continued, “Ms. Boerio worked at the heart of the automobile industry with diverse leadership roles. She exemplifies the potential we see in Seton Hill students today.”

A native of Latrobe, Pa., Ms. Boerio graduated from Greensburg Central Catholic High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in textiles and design from Seton Hill University. She then completed a Master of Business Administration degree in accounting and finance at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Business.

In 2007, Boerio retired from Ford Motor Company after more than 31 years. Her career included assignments in corporate finance and strategy, global marketing and operations. She served as Managing Director for Jaguar Cars, Ltd., based in Warwickshire, England, with profit responsibility for global marketing and sales, including: global brand development, pricing, marketing, sales, and volume planning. While managing director, Boerio led the development and implementation of the Jaguar revitalization strategy which included new brand positioning, a new product plan, and revised distribution strategies.

As Ford Motor Credit Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Boerio was responsible for financial reporting for the global business, and developed a new business and funding strategy with expanded investor, press, and rating agency communications (Credit University), and enhanced SEC reporting.

Following her retirement from Ford Motor Company, from 2008 until 2010 Boerio served as Chief of Staff for Congressman Joe Sestak, a retired Navy admiral, who represented Pennsylvania’s seventh congressional district.

In 2011, Boerio served as Special Advisor to Sandy Baruah, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce. In this role, Boerio provided consultation on strategic planning, process improvement and development and launch of the MICHauto program.

In September 2012, Boerio was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as Director of the U.S. Mint. While the U.S. Senate did not act on the nomination before the congressional session ended in January 2013, Ms. Boerio requested the re-nomination for the appointment be withheld because of her mother’s health condition.

“It is humbling to return to my alma mater to continue the outstanding work of our beloved President, JoAnne Boyle,” said Bibiana Boerio. “I look forward to working with Trustees, Seton Hill’s administrative team, faculty, students and staff to carry on the momentum that President Boyle has driven.” Boerio continued, “I believe that my passion for Seton Hill and the contributions made by the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill along with my experience as a leader of complex organizations in both business and government will provide the necessary foundation to ensure the University’s continuing progress.”

Boerio has served on the Advisory Board for the University of Pittsburgh David Berg Center for Ethics and Leadership. In addition, she has served as a member of the Board of Directors for Vista Maria, a non-profit organization supporting high-risk girls in Dearborn, Michigan. Boerio served as the chair of the Coventry Business Group in support of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in the United Kingdom.

Boerio’s awards include the D.G. Sisterson Fellowship Award, the Seton Hill University Distinguished Alumna Leadership Award, a recognition she shared with twin sister, Juliana Boerio-Goates (also a Seton Hill graduate and professor of physical chemistry at Brigham Young University); and designation as a University of Pittsburgh Legacy Laureate. She was named a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania in 2004 and was honored as the Harper and Chanel U.K. Businesswoman of the Year in 2006. In 2013, the University of Pittsburgh recognized Boerio with the University’s 225th Anniversary Medallion.