Alumna Angie Sebastian to Chair Board of Trustees
Governors State University alumna Angela Sebastian (’96) has been named Chair of the Board of Trustees replacing outgoing Chair Lisa Harrell who plans to step down at the end of the year to pursue personal goals. Sebastian is the university’s first alumna to chair the Board of Trustees, where two other alumni serve.
Prior to her election, Sebastian served as a Trustee for three years, including the position of Vice Chair and Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee. Before being appointed as a Trustee in 2019, Sebastian served as a member of the College of Business Advisory Board, and in 2021 was among the first inducted in the COB Hall of CPAs.
Citing a personal motto, “Lead where you are,” Sebastian said she believes in an action-focused approach and looks forward to partnering with the Trustees and all university stakeholders.
As Chair, Sebastian said she plans to continue “to support President Green’s agenda — especially as it relates to the university’s mission of accessible education,” she said.
Another focus for Chair Sebastian will be GSU’s students and improving their experiences.
“I’m all about understanding what we need to do to help students succeed and I believe that when students receive an education, they not only change their own circumstance, but the circumstances of so many others.”
Sebastian grew up in the south suburbs and changed the trajectory of her life when she earned a B.S. degree in Accounting from GSU at the age of 30. She went on to become a CPA, then to earn an MBA. She also is certified by the International Coaching Federation as an Associate Certified Coach.
She is the former CEO of Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC, a Chicago-based law firm, where she worked for more than 20 years, starting in the finance function and growing into the role of Chief Executive Officer. She is credited with the creation of a renowned client experience business strategy called the LP WayTM. When she retired from her position as CEO, Levenfeld Pearlstein honored her service by initiating a scholarship fund at Governors State University.
Sebastian said she respects the trust and confidence her Board colleagues have placed in her.
“I am especially grateful for the leadership of outgoing Chair Lisa Harrell,” she said. “Together with our fellow Trustees, we have navigated many challenges. I appreciate the contribution and talents of each member, and look forward to continuing to serve the university that has had such a big impact on my life.”
Under Harrell’s leadership, Trustees hired the university’s sixth president, revamped and updated the Board’s committee structure and meeting schedule to be more efficient, as well as implemented annual training.
In announcing her plans to step down at the end of the year, Harrell said her service to the university has been an honor and pleasure.
“This is the best Board on which I have served, and I’ve been on quite few,’’ Harrell said.