The College of Wooster has named Rebecca Burgstahler, a strategic finance leader with a proven track record of driving organizational value through data-informed decision-making and cross-functional partnership, the next vice president of finance and business and treasurer of the College. Burgstahler assumed the role on July 1, 2026, after serving as director of finance, leading long-range financial planning for the institution since October 2024.
Reporting to the president, Burgstahler serves as the College’s chief financial officer and works closely with the Board of Trustees as well as the College’s faculty, staff, students, and the greater Wooster community to lead strategic financial services for the College in the areas of accounting and finance, investment, procurement, capital planning and auxiliary services.
“Rebecca’s analytical expertise, collaborative approach, and commitment to the long-term health of the College make her an asset to our work,” said College of Wooster President Anne McCall. “Throughout her career, she has demonstrated deep talent for connecting financial strategy with organizational mission, a quality that will serve our College well in the years ahead.”
Burgstahler’s prior work at Wooster focused on aligning financial strategy with the College’s mission while advancing key strategic initiatives and enhancing financial stewardship. She led long-range financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling efforts that have informed some of the College's most important strategic decisions. She has earned the trust and respect of colleagues across campus through her analytical expertise, collaborative approach, and commitment to the long-term health of the institution.
“I am honored to continue serving Wooster as vice president for finance and business and grateful to President McCall for her confidence,” Burgstahler said. “Wooster’s commitment to mentored undergraduate research and academic excellence is distinctive, and I look forward to partnering across the College with the faculty, staff, administration, Board of Trustees, and alumni to build on its strengths and support its long-term financial vibrance.”
Prior to joining the College, Burgstahler spent nearly a decade at Ernst & Young LLP, leading global operating model effectiveness consulting, compliance, and audit engagements for clients ranging from middle-market organizations to Fortune 100 companies. Earlier in her career, she held finance, research, and grants-focused roles with CNH Industrial, the USDA Economic Research Service, the University of Illinois, and AgeOptions. She has consulted for nonprofits including Feeding America, the AARP Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy. Burgstahler earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in history with a minor in business administration and Master of Science degree in agricultural and applied economics both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Burgstahler succeeds David Jones, who concluded his time in the role on June 30. Joining Wooster in 2023, Jones provided thoughtful, transformational leadership during a period of significant change in higher education and at the College. Working closely with colleagues across campus, he helped strengthen financial planning and decision-making processes, guided major capital and facilities investments, advanced important work to address deferred maintenance, and helped position the College to navigate a challenging financial landscape with greater clarity and discipline.