The Law School names Christopher Wailoo Associate Dean for Business Services and Chief Financial Officer
The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School announced it has named A. Christopher Wailoo as Associate Dean for Business Services and Chief Financial Officer. Wailoo joins the Law School after a decade with the Smithsonian Institution as the Associate Director of Finance and Administration of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Wailoo’s success in translating financial information into service to stakeholders, stewardship of revenue streams, and accomplishment of strategic goals make him an excellent addition to the Law School at an exceptional moment in its history, given its receipt over the past two years of two of the top ten gifts – $125 million from the W. P. Carey Foundation, and $50 million from the Robert and Jane Toll Foundation – ever made to US law schools.
“We are at a critical moment in the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School’s distinguished history: the possibilities ahead of us in light of the generous commitments of the Carey Foundation, the Toll Foundation, legions of supportive alumni, and other donors are limitless,” said Dean Ted Ruger. “With outstanding nonprofit and private sector experience, Chris Wailoo brings a disciplined approach to the funding of creative strategic initiatives that will allow us to expand the reach and impact of our goals. We are excited to add his energy and expertise to our team.”
The Associate Dean for Business Services and Chief Financial Officer is the principal architect of the Law School’s responsibility-centered budgeting process and performance each year. Wailoo will be an essential strategic advisor to Dean Ted Ruger, partnering with faculty, staff, students, and University finance and business leadership to ensure the Law School’s continued fiscal strength and wise stewardship of tuition and donor dollars. The role also requires the careful development and supervision of the Law School’s annual operating budget and all of its component parts, while providing expert advice and consultation to the Dean, faculty members, staff, and student group leaders.
“I am eagerly looking forward to becoming a part of the outstanding team at Penn Law School and providing my experience and energy to help implement the school’s priorities,” Mr. Wailoo said. “What an exciting and important time to join in the School’s important mission.”
Wailoo’s impressive body of work includes experience across both private businesses and public non-profits, with leadership roles in government advocacy, commercial banking and strategic consulting for American Express and SunTrust Bank. At the Smithsonian Institution, he directed the financial oversight for the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, which included leading a staff of more than 70 people who manage and curate the work of modern and contemporary artists, while providing budgeting, planning and executive leadership as a liaison for the Hirshhorn across the other 19 museums in the Smithsonian organization.
Throughout his tenure at the Hirshhorn Museum, Wailoo also consistently led financial and strategic analysis for three major exhibitions per year, valued at over $1 million per exhibition.
Wailoo received a Master of Arts in International Affairs from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Dartmouth College. He’s held Board seats with Signature Theatre, the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, E.L. Haynes Public Charter School, and Horton’s Kids.
