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St. Lawrence University Trustee Jo Ann Campbell '86, vice president and chief financial officer for Kodak Health Imaging in Rochester, New York, has been named to the Council for Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) 2005 Independent Sector Alumni Hall of Distinction.

CICU created the Hall of Distinction in 2000 to recognize graduates of New York State's independent-sector higher education institutions who have made extraordinary contributions to the state and country through their careers and civic service. This year, the organization honors 12 individuals who came to New York State to attend an independent college or university and made the state their home following graduation. New York is a leading destination for first-time students from other states, and many students remain in New York, contributing to communities and the state's economy.

In addition holding an event marking the individuals' induction into the Hall of Distinction, CICU also displays inductees' photographs and profiles in a special exhibition.

Campbell's profile follows:

Jo Ann Campbell
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Kodak Health Imaging
Rochester, New York

Crossing borders has been business as usual for Jo Ann Campbell since the day she decided to enter New York State from her native Prescott, Ontario, to enroll in the liberal arts curriculum offered at St. Lawrence University. She studied in Vienna, Austria, during her junior year at St. Lawrence, an experience that, she says, “opened her eyes to the possibility of global citizenship.” During her senior year, she was recruited by General Electric for its prestigious executive financial management program and spent the next two decades after her 1986 graduation crossing borders—state and international—to lead financial operations for the multinational corporation.

“I moved 14 times in 20 years, living everywhere from Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania to Canada, India, Brazil and Belgium, working for General Electric, and I loved every minute of experiencing various cultures,” she says.

But the chance to return to the state where it all began, to work in a leadership role for an industry undergoing a digital transformation, brought Campbell back to Rochester, New York, as vice president and chief financial officer for Kodak Health Imaging. Her work in a field that directly supports health care gives her the chance “to make a difference in people’s lives” globally. She also notes that Kodak’s efforts to reestablish financial strengths will have a “huge impact on the economy of New York State” and Campbell very much wants to contribute to that success.

“I feel so confident about the paths our company is taking and the broad skills I learned in college -— analysis, intercultural appreciation, leadership -— will help our company achieve its goals,” she says.

Being in New York State also has made Campbell’s service to her alma mater more possible; she serves as vice chair of St. Lawrence University’s Board of Trustees.

Wherever she’s been, Campbell has made civic involvement a priority. In college, in addition to being three-year captain of the women’s ice hockey team, three years as a resident assistant and two years o the student judiciary board, she volunteered with a local service fraternity. Today, she teaches grade four students in Junior Achievement, is a coach and mentor with women’s leadership groups and has volunteered with Kodak’s community service “Make a Difference” initiatives in Rochester.

“The creed by which I live is ‘take full advantage of every opportunity you have’ and I think I’ve done that,” she says. That New York State will benefit enormously from her devotion to that creed is special motivation for Campbell. The many hours she works and complex challenges she faces will have “transparent and direct results” for her adopted home.

Posted: March 8, 2005