Karen E. Stewart

Cornell degree: AB ’85 (A&S)

Endorsed by the Committee on Alumni Trustee Nominations 

Read Karen’s interview.

“The single most important issue the Board of Trustees must navigate is Cornell’s financial health. Trustees oversee endowments, approve budgets, and lead fundraising initiatives. A financially strong institution is better able to fulfill its mission, such as providing access and affordability to students, attracting and retaining top academic talent, supporting professional and administrative staff.”

Professional experience:

  • Community Service Society of New York, personal finance coach, 2022–present
  • Nuveen, head of mutual fund disclosure, 2012–2020
  • TIAA, senior director, 1989–2012 (Various roles in marketing, investor communications and compliance) 

Alumni service:

  • Reunion Campaign Committee, member, 2024–present
  • Cornell University Council, life member, 2024–present; member, 2022–2024, 2016–2020, Administrative Board, ex officio, 2019-2021, member at large, 2017-2019; Ambassador Committee, chair, 2019-2020; vice chair, 2018-2019 
  • President’s Council of Cornell Women, emerita member, 2021–present; immediate past chair, 2021–2023; Nominating Committee, chair, 2021–2023; chair, 2019–2021; Steering Committee, member at large, 2017–2019; Membership Committee, chair, 2015–2017; member, 2012–2021 
  • Cornell Black Alumni Association, member, 1998–present 
  • Frank H.T. Rhodes Exemplary Alumni Service Award recipient, 2023 
  • Cornell Mosaic, member at large, 2018–2023; Executive Committee, member, 2014–2018 
  • Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network, committee chair, 2008–2013; member, 2009–2023  

Community/public service/philanthropic priorities:

  • Coach underserved communities about basic financial education through group classes and 1-on-1 sessions  

Other education:

  • JD, New York Law School, 2002 

Student involvements/activities:  

  • Cornell Catholic Community
  • West Indian Students Association 

Additional information:

Karen has had a long career in the financial services sector working at Nuveen and TIAA. She held leadership and professional roles in corporate communications, marketing, procurement, asset management operations and compliance. She has an AB from the College of Arts and Sciences and a JD from New York Law School. She is an active Cornell volunteer—President’s Council of Cornell Women, Cornell Black Alumni Association, Cornell University Council, Cornell Mosaic and Class of ’85 development committee. Karen was born in Jamaica, migrated to South Florida with her family when she was eight years old, and she currently lives in Brooklyn, NY.