2026 Executive Leadership Institute

Dr. Karen A. Dowling has served in Christian higher education for approximately 15 years. She currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief People and Culture Officer at Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU), leading in the university’s human resources functions, intercultural efforts, and the President’s cabinet. She also serves as Vice Chair of the CCCU Diversity Commission and has participated in the CCCU’s LDI, Imago Dei Conference, and AWIL. She has her B.A. in Spanish and Japanese Teaching, M.A. in Leadership and Supervision, and Ph.D. in Educational Studies – all from Ball State University. She is certified in CQ cultural intelligence and TrustEdge. At IWU, she leads initiatives under the priority of Hospitality in the university’s strategic plan. She believes her work with people and organizational culture is a calling, and she aims to lead innovatively with Kingdom-impacting initiatives and strategies.

Dr. Paul J. Maurer is the president & CEO of Montreat College and is currently the third longest-serving president among the 36 independent colleges and universities in North Carolina. He is a visionary and results-driven leader, who has more than 30 years of leadership experience in nonprofit and higher education administration. Maurer holds B.A. from the University of Cincinnati, an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in political science from Claremont Graduate University, where he was an H. B. Earhart Fellow and a John M. Olin Fellow. Dr. Maurer’s tenure at Montreat College has been marked by multiple years of record enrollment, a host of new academic programs, and dozens of physical campus upgrades. He led the college to clarify its identity as a Christ-centered institution, which resulted in a mission-centric culture focused on intellectual inquiry, spiritual formation, and preparation for calling and career.

Bill Peterson leads the nonprofit and higher education practice at CarterBaldwin Executive Search, where he specializes in recruiting presidents and senior leaders for universities and mission-driven organizations. With more than 25 years of experience in executive search, Bill has led hundreds of successful searches for chief executive officers, presidents, provosts and senior executives across both nonprofit and corporate sectors. Prior to joining CarterBaldwin, Bill served as a partner at a national search firm in Atlanta, where he helped launch and grow the firm’s healthcare and higher education practices. He began his career in executive search recruiting physicians and senior leaders for health systems and academic medical centers. Bill is deeply committed to service, both professionally and personally. He and his wife of more than 30 years, Angela, are active supporters of nonprofits that serve children and families.

Noah Toly serves as Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Calvin University. Working in partnership with faculty, staff, senior leaders, and trustees, he supports the academic mission, shared governance, and long-term institutional health of the university. Since 2021, his responsibilities have included academic programs, faculty affairs, and athletics, with a focus on strengthening Christian mission, integrating faith and learning, enhancing student success, and stewarding change in today’s challenging higher-education environment. Prior to joining Calvin, Dr. Toly served for 15 years as Professor of Urban Studies and Politics & International Relations at Wheaton College, where he founded and served as Executive Director of Wheaton’s Center for Urban Engagement. His teaching and scholarship focused on urban politics, environmental policy, and technology in conversation with Christian theology and ethics. Dr. Toly has actively engaged with the CCCU by attending conferences, hosting Leadership Development Institute participants at Calvin, and serving on the Council’s Chief Academic Officers’ Commission.

Dr. Wanda Velez is the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships at the CCCU, where she oversees sponsorship initiatives, cultivates strategic partnerships, and manages collaborative engagement with member institutions and external organizations. Additionally, she leads the CCCU’s Leadership Development Institutes (LDIs), supporting the growth of both senior and emerging leaders within Christian higher education. Before her tenure at CCCU, Dr. Velez had an extensive leadership journey at Alliance University (formerly Nyack College), where she studied as an undergraduate student and served in various roles beginning with Director of Alumni Relations and concluding as Vice President of Student Development and Dean of Students. She earned her master’s and doctoral degrees from Alliance Theological Seminary. Dr. Velez is an alumna of the CCCU Women’s Advanced Leadership Institute (WALI) and the Multi-Ethnic Leadership Development Institute. She serves as a Resource Leader, leadership shadowing host, and co-chair for the Advancing Women in Leadership Conference.

Rev. Dr. Angulus Dion Wilson is a preacher, scholar, and spiritual leader whose ministry has shaped congregations, classrooms, and communities for more than three decades. Known for his compelling voice, pastoral compassion, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel, Dr. Wilson ministers with both intellectual depth and Spirit-led conviction. Dr. Wilson holds a Ph.D. in Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Formation and Leadership in Preaching. His academic preparation reflects his belief that the preaching moment requires both a trained mind and a yielded heart. He has devoted his life to studying Scripture, understanding the history of the church, and equipping leaders who can faithfully proclaim Christ in an ever-changing world. In every context—pastoral, academic, or communal—Rev. Dr. Angulus Dion Wilson brings a steady devotion to Scripture, a passion for God’s people, and a heartfelt desire to see the Kingdom of God advance.

Lady Sharon Wilson has faithfully served the Lord for more than three decades as a Bible teacher, mentor, and global ministry leader. Married to Rev. Dr. Angulus Wilson for 34 years, she has devoted her life to advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Since answering God’s call to ministry in 1992, she has shared the good news in women’s prisons, homeless shelters, college campuses, and international settings. Alongside her husband, she has helped plant more than ten churches throughout the United States and Africa. Lady Sharon holds a bachelor’s degree in leadership and Christian Ministry from Fresno Pacific University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Christian ministry and a master’s in Christian education from Angelos Biblical Institute. Her favorite book of the Bible is Philippians, anchored by the promise, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).