SHU Names New Vice President for Finance

Peter Ward earns new role for his consistent high-quality performance

Sacred Heart University has promoted Peter Ward to vice president for finance.

In Ward’s new role, he will serve as a member of the University’s leadership team, working closely with the president, provost and senior leaders. His primary role is to provide strategic and operational direction, ensuring the University’s long-term financial stability. Additionally, he will manage the finance division and take responsibility for all financial and compliance reporting.

“What we have done in the past 10 years as an organization is incredible,” said Ward, “Our current challenge is to maintain and grow our base, expand and further our mission so we can reach even more potential students and provide them with a well-rounded, high-quality education and student experience at a top-tier institution, preparing them to become future leaders of America.”

After graduating from Central Connecticut State University in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Ward started his career at KPMG. He became a certified public accountant, worked in public accounting for eight years and transitioned to the private industry as a division controller for nearly 14 years at Compass Group, a global corporation. Then he joined the University in September 2008 as a controller and was promoted to associate vice president for finance in August 2020.

“Peter’s tenure at SHU brought about a stronger financial team, tighter controls and more efficient and effective processes,” said SHU President John J. Petillo. “He is engaged, bringing his public foundation, corporate for-profit experience, his passion and drive towards excellence, in supporting and facilitating decisions to improve operations daily.”

Since he joined the University, its annual gross revenues have doubled, and net revenues more than tripled, allowing expedited timelines for strategic investments into SHU’s next set of priorities.

Ward’s children, Matt and Dan, graduated from SHU’s Jack Welch College of Business & Technology with degrees in accounting. Matt continued at SHU, earning his MBA.

Ward grew up in Trumbull, raised his family in Cheshire, where they lived for 30 years, and he and his wife, Linda, recently moved to Shelton.

“I learned early on in my career how important it is to surround yourself with the right people, how to build a strong team and how to evaluate and balance people’s strengths and weaknesses,” Ward said. “I am proud of what we have accomplished thus far and want to thank everyone who has helped me earn the opportunity to lead this institution as the vice president for finance.”