In 2018, following a rich and storied career in business, philanthropy, and academia, Dr. Astrid S. Tuminez became the seventh president of Utah Valley University. She is the first woman to serve on a full-time basis as UVU president.
President Tuminez’s upbringing was marked by challenges that she turned into stepping stones. Growing up in the slums of the Philippines, she lived in a shack with a leaky roof. She hated the rain, but when the sky cleared, she could gaze at the stars that ignited her dreams. A serendipitous encounter with Catholic nuns changed her trajectory, providing her and her sisters access to education — an opportunity that would transform her future.
Her pursuit of education led her to the University of the Philippines, where she nurtured her passion for knowledge. Transferring to Brigham Young University, she earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations and Russian literature in 1986. She continued her academic journey by earning a master’s degree in Soviet studies from Harvard University in 1988 and a Ph.D. in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1996.
President Tuminez’s career mirrors her academic journey. During her career, she has held roles in many different sectors, including finance, philanthropy, government, technology, and higher education. Her background has equipped her with a comprehensive toolkit that drives her passion for education and vision for UVU.
At UVU, President Tuminez’s stewardship is marked by her commitment to Vision 2030, a 10-year roadmap of UVU’s goals to provide student, community, and workforce support. Under her leadership, UVU has launched groundbreaking initiatives that reflect this transformative vision.
President Tuminez’s leadership extends beyond academia. Her profound impact is felt within and beyond UVU’s campus, inspiring students, faculty, and staff to discover their unique potential. Her journey inspires the UVU community and beyond to overcome adversity through the life-changing power of education.
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Jeffrey S. Tolk has more than 30 years of experience in international banking, asset management, and direct investment. He began his career as a clerk for Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice John Greaney, and then worked as a corporate lawyer on Wall Street. He subsequently worked for Moody’s Investors Service in the Structured Derivatives group, where he had a significant impact on the nascent derivatives market. Following Moody’s, Tolk joined the Structured Credit group at HSBC, which transferred him to Hong Kong in 2005 as managing director and Asia head of structuring.
In 2008 Tolk moved with his family to Singapore to be a portfolio manager and head of research at a hedge fund focusing on distressed debt, special situations, and private equity in Asia. While in Singapore, Tolk also worked at Standard Bank as Asia head of institutional and corporate solutions, and at Resource Capital Markets. He was the owner of Eastgate Advisors Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based consulting and advisory firm, and is currently an active angel investor in the dynamic startup economy in Utah. Tolk has taught finance as an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University and is an outstanding supporter of all things UVU.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, a law degree from Harvard Law School, and is a CFA charterholder. He is an avid trekker and mountain climber, having summitted Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Mt. Whitney (USA), Mt. Kinabalu (Malaysia), Mera Peak (Nepal), Ojos del Salado high camp (Chile), and most recently, Thorong La Pass on the Annapurna Circuit (Nepal).
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