The Widener Global Leaders Program (WGLP) has announced that Barbara Shrut, president of SLB Advisors, will be joining its illustrious advisory board. The WGLP program is led by the W. Frank Barton School of Business and directed by Dean Larisa Genin in collaboration with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Fine Arts at Wichita State University. It is an interdisciplinary program designed to create a transformational experience and foster an inclusive community for women majoring in business, communications or fine arts aimed at developing the next generation of global and transformational female leaders.
“The Widener Global Leaders Program is an extremely unique and important offering for students,” said Shrut. “I am delighted that we are focusing on developing leaders with a global mindset and a diverse skillset. I can’t wait to help make a difference.”
Shrut is an independent board member, qualified financial expert, and business strategist. She is recognized for leading board governance and strategic planning, with service on executive, audit, finance, and compensation committees. As president of SLB Advisors, Shrut provides guidance to clients on strategy, finance, revenue enhancements, and brand management. She was Chair of the Board of Directors of Goodwill South Florida from 2020-2023, with annual revenue of $160M and 2,600 employees. She spearheaded the restructuring of the board by establishing a new committee framework to support Goodwill’s strategy while providing stronger oversight. Shrut continues on the Goodwill Board and on the executive, governance, cybersecurity/technology, compensation, and audit committees. Shrut is Chair of the Audit Committee of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation Board of Directors. She also chaired the Audit Committee and the Community Investment Committee for United Way of Miami-Dade.
“Having Barbara’s strategic and financial acumen will be pivotal as we look to enhance and expand the Widener Global Leaders Program,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School of Business.
Most of Shrut’s finance career was with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. She held numerous executive roles and served as the senior financial officer for Royal Caribbean International. She led Royal Caribbean Cruises’ international business including strategy, finance, technology, and marketing, driving international business growth from 30% to 50% of total business.
Shrut holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Virginia. She is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, International Women’s Forum, and The Venture Mentoring Team.
“I continue to be impressed by the accomplishments and impact of this program as we work to provide transformational and multidisciplinary experiences,” said Peri Widener, CEO of GLoBIL Consulting Group, visionary and donor of the WGLP program as well as member of the Barton School’s Dean’s Advisory Board. “Adding Barbara to this distinguished board of industry executives and leaders is another milestone in the progress of this idea.”
Shrut joins a board comprised of female business leaders and industry executives from across the country including Emily Berlin, Senior Advisor at energy33 and Ariete Hospitality Group; Marie-Hélène Bernard, president and CEO at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra; Sherry Chisenhall, president and editor of The Charlotte Observer; Mary L Kramer, Director of Special Project and Detroit Homecoming at Crain Communications; Judith Leonard, recently retired general counsel at the Smithsonian Institution; and retired Major General Dr. Linda Singh, who serves as the CEO of Kaleidoscope Affect LLC. The board is co-chaired by Peri Widener and Larisa Genin.
WGLP successfully completed its two-year pilot and recently announced a $300,000 gift from Widener to continue its mission. https://www.wichita.edu/about/wsunews/barton_news/06-01-23-widener-global-leadership-program-gift.php
For more information about WGLP Program, visit wichita.edu/academics/business/widener-glp/