On Aug. 29, President Tania Tetlow announced in an email that Fordham has hired Tokumbo Shobowale to work as Fordham’s new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), as well as senior vice president and treasurer.
Shobowale, who will assume the position on Oct. 13, has over a decade of experience in the world of higher education. For the last 10 years, Shobowale served as the executive vice president for business and operations at The New School. Before his time at The New School, Shobowale was the director of infrastructure for New York City’s Initiative on Rebuilding and Resiliency. He also has experience helping coordinate economic development in the New York City mayor’s office.
Fordham’s search for a new CFO originally began in April 2023. Provost and Dennis Jacobs, senior vice president for Academic Affairs, chaired the committee.
Jacobs said that it was his privilege to head the committee. He mentioned that Fordham received a number of applications in response to the open position.
“We had a very strong response to the job posting and consequently were able to interview a terrific field of highly experienced candidates,” said Jacobs.
Jacobs highlighted what drew Fordham to hire Shobowale.
“Importantly, Tokumbo resonates strongly with Fordham’s Jesuit approach to education and commitment to cura personalis,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs added: “Tokumbo’s breadth of prior experience touches on every aspect of the SVP role at Fordham. He has an impressive record of directing resources towards advancing the mission, strategic priorities and values of the institution.”
Shobowale, who is originally from Minnesota, received an undergraduate degree from Stanford University followed by an M.A. from the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs and an M.B.A. from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Kylie Phillips, GSB ’25, is interested to see the changes Shobowale brings to Fordham.
“I think that the new CFO is coming at an interesting time,” Phillips said. “There are a lot of adjustments right now at Fordham. I will be interested to see if he comes in and brings more change, or if he goes with the flow.”
Shobowale will join the community next month, and the current staff is looking forward to working and collaborating with him.
“I can’t wait for Tokumbo to join Fordham’s leadership team next month,” Jacobs said. “I look forward to collaborating with President Tetlow and Tokumbo on developing and resourcing strategic priorities.”
