Name: Eileen Goldgeier
Years as a Camper: 1972-1976
Current Profession and Title/Years in role:
Vice President and General Counsel at Brown University (October 2018-present)
Can you provide a brief overview of your job responsibilities?
As chief legal officer of the university, I provide legal, risk management, and strategic advice to the Trustees and Officers, the President, and Senior Leaders of the university.
Do you have any career advice for members of our Camp community?
Master the fundamentals of the profession. With a strong foundation, you can build on the various skills and talents that you have mastered to accomplish things that you never thought that you would have the opportunity to achieve in the future. Learn as much as you can and volunteer to take on tasks that others aren’t willing to do.
What do you believe have been some of your greatest personal and professional accomplishments? Is there a goal toward which you are currently working?
I have had a productive and successful career in higher education law over the past thirty years and am proud of leading a team collaborating with other university leaders to achieve each university’s strategic goals, initiatives and mission. Brown University is my alma mater and it is a great honor to be working here.
How do the values or skills you learned at Camp show up in your everyday work and/or personal life?
Camp Seafarer taught me at a young age to set goals and strive to achieve them. I carried the booklet around with me and focused on the next level of skill for a particular activity. I remember learning all of the knots! If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Capsizing is a very humbling experience!
Was there a person or a situation that had a huge influence on you while you were at Camp?
All of the counselors had a profound impact on my personal development.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Say “yes” more often to activities that may seem difficult. You don’t know if you can achieve something unless you take that first step.
Favorite Camp meal
Grits!
Favorite mess hall entry song:
The Noah’s Ark Song
If you had to have an intro song every time you walked into a room what would it be?
We are the Champions by Queen
What three words best describe you?
Humble, loyal, persistent
What profession other than your own would you like to try?
Oceanographer