Whitman Advisory Council’s Evolution to Bring Renewed Opportunities to Whitman and its Students

Since the Whitman Advisory Council (WAC) was established 50 years ago, its respected members and business leaders have been an instrumental resource to the Whitman School and its students. In response to a continuously competitive business world, the WAC is evolving the way it assists Whitman in achieving its mission.

Our veteran board members have helped build a strong foundation that has set Whitman up for success through philanthropy, mentoring and knowledge. But we are now at an inflection point where the business, analytical and technology skills our students need are changing quickly, and their interpersonal and leadership skills need to be honed to successfully operate in different environments. In response, our council needs to be agile to ensure we are advising Whitman leadership in the most effective way possible,” says WAC Chair Tracy Barash ’89.  

Tracy Barash

Principal of her strategic advisory firm Cut-Thru Consulting, Barash is a senior-level executive with extensive experience in brand management and strategic planning, including 19 years in various roles with Warner Bros. Discovery. She is in her second year as the chair of the WAC and her fifth year as a member. Barash is a previous president of the Syracuse University National Alumni Board, serving as a member of the University’s Board of Trustees during her tenure. She was honored by the Whitman School in 2019 with the Dean’s Citation for Exceptional Service. 

“When I was asked to take on the position of chair, my goal was to maximize the talents of the Advisory Council and increase its interaction with students to ensure they are holistically prepared to meet the challenges of the business world when they graduate.  We’re all busy people, but we are willing to spend our time to help Whitman continue its upward trajectory toward becoming a top 25 business school. To do so, we needed more structure to leverage the expertise and advice of our WAC members,” she says.

Therefore, five new committees were formed to provide WAC members with defined opportunities aligned with Whitman’s broader goals. These committees include: Experiential Learning; Nominating and Membership; Career Exploration and Opportunities; Giving and Stewardship; and Strategic Initiatives, and they will allow the council to be flexible in addressing business trends and topics as they arise. The committee structure allows council members to participate in initiatives that will have direct impact on students, as well as alumni.

WAC THREEFOLD MISSION:

• to provide guidance, counsel, financial support and assistance to the Whitman School and its leadership
• to promote the objectives and strategic goals of the school, its students, faculty and alumni
• to provide a link to the business community.

“Today’s Whitman community exhibits a diversity of backgrounds and experiences that we hope to mirror in our own membership,” she says. “This will allow the council to better assist the school and reflect the diverse workforce that awaits our Whitman graduates.”

Barash and the WAC membership will continue to work with Vice Chancellor of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation and Whitman Executive Dean J. Michael Haynie and Interim Dean Alex McKelvie to fine-tune the council’s role and continue to prioritize its efforts. 

“We are grateful for the commitment of the members of the Whitman Advisory Council — past and present — and we are equally excited to see how the WAC’s evolution will further benefit the Whitman School under Tracy’s leadership,” says McKelvie. “We rely on the Advisory Council’s advice and support on many levels that result in our ability to give our students opportunities that will set them up for a lifetime of success in a very competitive business arena.”
Barash is certain that the new structure is a positive step in the trajectory of the Whitman School. “We are proud to be a part of this new, exciting chapter in the school’s history,” she says. “It’s challenging, yet essential to show the next generation of Whitman students how much we are dedicated to their success.”