Meet the President-Elect
After a nationwide search, extensive interview process, and much prayer and consideration, the Board of Trustees is excited to announce that Ross Allen ’84 has been named president-elect of Bethel University. Currently chief financial officer and vice president for business and finance at Azusa Pacific University, Ross comes to Bethel with extensive experience in healthcare and higher education.
For nearly his entire career, Ross has specialized in helping organizations transform their financial results and sustainability while clarifying and advancing their mission and vision. During his 25-year tenure at Medtronic—a multinational medical device company—Ross used his strategic, relational, and operational expertise to lead seven successful corporate transformations in Denmark, Switzerland, and across the United States. In his most recent position at Azusa Pacific, Ross played an instrumental role in positioning the institution for a strong and vibrant future.
Ross is a deeply committed Christ-follower, a seasoned executive leader, and a transformative developer of people, culture, and organizations. He is passionate about the value of Christian higher education and deeply connected to our community as an alumnus, Bethel parent, and partner in the Center for Healthcare Excellence. He will start his work as president-elect on May 1, and—pending an affirmative vote by the delegates of Converge—he will officially become Bethel’s sixth president on July 1.