Donald Matthewson

[CalArts] – Steven D. Lavine, President of California Institute of the Arts, is pleased to announce that after an extensive national search, Donald Matthewson has been appointed CalArts’ new Vice President-Chief Financial Officer and will join the Institute on April 30, 2012. “He brings superior skills in financial analysis and planning to CalArts, along with a national perspective on higher education finances, proven leadership skills, and an ability to communicate clearly about complex issues,” said President Lavine.

Matthewson comes to CalArts from Barclays Capital in New York City where he served as a Director in the Public Finance Division and worked primarily with institutions of higher education and hospitals across the country in the development of financial strategies and capital plans. He has more than 10 years experience in investment banking, specializing in the public sector. Concurrently, he held an appointment for three years as an assistant adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. Don attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, CA, Brandeis University in Waltham, MA, and earned an MPA from Columbia University in New York. He served two years in the United States Peace Corps from 1996 to 1998.

In his position as Vice President and CFO, Mr. Matthewson will report directly to President Lavine and join the President’s Planning Group. His responsibilities will include ongoing financial operations and leadership, the direction and oversight of the business office, finance department, and the Institute’s budget. He will take a leadership role in the development of new earned income enterprises for CalArts.  As a key member of the leadership team, Don will advise the President, the Board, and senior officials on strategies and financial matters.  He will be an essential partner to CalArts’ recently appointed provost Jeannene Przyblyski in the leadership of the Institute’s strategic planning for the future.