I’m excited to share a more complete picture of my professional journey, leadership philosophy, and the experiences that have shaped my work across higher education, operations, and organizational transformation. It has been an honor to serve teams, lead through change, and contribute to missions that create meaningful impact for students and communities. Here is my biography.

After more than 25 years of international leadership experience across North America, Europe, and Asia, I’ve had the opportunity to build teams, grow businesses, and learn from many incredible colleagues and cultures along the way. I’m excited to share a deeper look at my professional journey, leadership philosophy, and experiences in global business leadership. Here is my biography.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to reflect on my 30+ year journey across the energy, manufacturing, and industrial sectors, where I’ve had the privilege of leading incredible teams, driving operational growth, and helping organizations transform and succeed. Leadership, strategy, and building strong companies have always been passions of mine, and I’m excited to continue contributing through executive and board leadership. Here is my biography.

"I’ve always believed that strong operations start with strong people—and that success is achieved when vision, strategy, and execution align with purpose. Whether building a market, restructuring a business, or coaching a future leader, my focus is always on driving measurable results with lasting impact." — Stuart R. Werner

Walt Johnston is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive known for driving transformative growth across global commercial operations, with a proven ability to launch and scale flagship brands in competitive therapeutic markets. His leadership spans over 30 years at industry powerhouses such as Pfizer, Astellas, Urovant Sciences, and Sumitomo Pharma, where he has consistently delivered above-market performance, integrated complex portfolios, and cultivated award-winning teams. With a deep commitment to integrity, collaboration, and innovation, Walt excels at aligning cross-functional strategy, optimizing organizational capability, and engaging stakeholders at every level—from boardrooms to the frontlines.

Russell Crandall is a seasoned homebuilding executive with over three decades of experience leading high-performing teams and delivering operational excellence across diverse markets nationwide. As South Region President at Meritage Homes, he oversees all facets of residential development with full P&L responsibility, leveraging deep expertise in land acquisition, construction, marketing, sales, and customer service. Throughout his career with industry leaders like Lennar, KB Home, and Pulte Homes, Russell has managed large-scale operations of up to 2,000 homes annually and led organizations through both rapid growth and economic challenges. Known for his strategic vision, hands-on leadership, and commitment to team success, he continues to drive innovation and results in one of the country’s most competitive regions.