The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees names new members
The Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees is honored to welcome three new trustees who are committed to accomplishing the Foundation’s mission of “Philanthropy in Service and Education.”
Three people were appointed to The Ohio University Foundation Board: Edward Chow, an OHIO alumnus and senior associate at the foreign policy think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies; Ann Gabriel, a retired accounting professor at OHIO; and Diane Smullen, vice president of the OHIO Board of Trustees and OHIO alumnus.
The Ohio University Foundation was established in 1945 by supporters of OHIO. The Foundation is an institutionally-related, tax-exempt nonprofit, serving as the repository for all private gifts to OHIO through annual giving programs.
"We are honored to welcome these talented and passionate leaders as new trustees," said Nico Karagosian, president and CEO of The Ohio University Foundation. "Their broad experience in business management, international affairs, finance and student advocacy will benefit the entire OHIO community and enhance the University's impact on the students we serve."
Edward Chow ’71, ’72
Chow is a two-time graduate of OHIO (B.A., ’71; M.A., ’72) and former Glidden Visiting Professor of economics and political science in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Chow recently retired as an international petroleum consultant. Previously he worked at multinational oil corporation Chevron as manager of international external affairs. He is also a former adjunct professor at Georgetown and George Washington universities.
Chow brings extensive board experience, serving as chair of the Lingnan Foundation, an American philanthropic organization that seeks advancement of higher education in South China, and trustee of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation.
Chow grew up in Hong Kong and spent his career travelling the globe. Chow is set to retire and is now looking for more ways to give back to OHIO. He is excited to help increase international advancement, which is an area with room for significant growth at OHIO.
Chow has been featured as a guest panelist for OHIO’s International Education Week and the Global Network Fellows.
Chow and his wife, Charlotte, who is also an OHIO graduate, created the Edward and Charlotte Chow Scholarship, which supports international students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Ann Gabriel
Gabriel is a retired accounting professor at OHIO’s College of Business, where she taught from 2001 to 2018 and was awarded emeriti status.
Her experience as an accountant, understanding of finance and history of sitting on foundation boards will directly apply to her work on the Foundation.
She is a dedicated and engaged philanthropist and volunteer at OHIO, supporting the Ohio Bobcat Club and the School of Accountancy, where she established two endowed scholarships.
Since 2018 Gabriel has been a member of the Ohio Bobcat Club Advisory Board. Throughout her service, she has advocated for the well-being of student athletes. She has also served as a faculty athletic representative.
Diane Smullen ’92
Smullen is the vice-chair of the OHIO Board of Trustees and will be serving as an Ex-Officio Trustee appointed by the chair of the Ohio University Board of Trustees, Peggy Viehweger.
Smullen graduated from OHIO in 1992 with a degree in accounting and finance and is a longstanding supporter of OHIO. She is a former member of the Executive Advisory Board within the College of Business.
She recently retired as the chief financial officer of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, a multi-concept restaurant company located in Columbus. She previously served as a controller of Herberts Powder Coating, a $50 million multi-national organization; and as an accountant for Deloitte & Touche in Columbus, where she performed auditing services for hospitality, manufacturing and distribution companies.