Paula H. J. Cholmondeley currently serves on the Boards of Terex Corporation (NYSE), Bank of the Ozarks (NASDAQ), and Lexeo Therapeutics, a private gene therapy company. As an independent director, she has chaired five audit committees, as well as governance, strategy, and corporate social responsibility committees. She also brings experience from compensation and investment committee roles.
Paula’s previous board positions include serving as an independent trustee of Nationwide Mutual Funds and holding public board roles at Dentsply Sirona Corporation, Mineral Technology, Inc., Ultralife Inc., Armco Steel Inc., Albany International, and Kapstone Paper and Packaging.
In her executive career, Paula held leadership roles with revenues up to $750 million and served as CFO of companies with revenues up to $2 billion. Her last executive role was as General Manager of the $450 million Specialty Products division of Sappi Fine Paper. At Owens-Corning, she became the company’s first female officer and President of the Miraflex division, where she pioneered new high-compression technology, building a $20 million specialty business.
Paula was recruited to Owens-Corning as VP of Strategy & Global Sourcing, where she led strategic planning, M&A, market research, and sourcing initiatives. Earlier in her career, she was VP & GM of the International Division at the Faxon Company, expanding sales from $50 million to $80 million. At Westinghouse Elevator, she held key leadership roles in strategic planning and Latin American operations and served as a White House Fellow.
Her finance expertise includes CFO roles at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Greater Philadelphia, Zebra Associates, and Owens-Corning. Paula’s nonprofit work includes board roles with the AICPA, the Executive Leadership Council (ELC), and the National Association of Black Accountants.
Paula holds an MS in accounting from Wharton and a BS in accounting from Howard University. She is a NACD Certified Director and has received multiple awards, including Howard University’s Distinguished Alumni Award and the NACD Directorship 100 Award.
Paula is a frequent consultant, facilitator, coach, and speaker on board governance matters, board and executive communications, and effective leadership. She is an expert on strategy, leadership, financial management, and governance in public, private, and nonprofit organizations across industries.
