East Bay
Ms. Evelyn Dilsaver is a nationally recognized business, community and civic leader who has made significant and sustained contributions to her profession and enhanced the quality of life of the communities in which she lives.
Graduating with a bachelor of science in business administration from then California State University, Hayward, Ms. Dilsaver began her long and storied career with an internship at Ernst and Whinney, now known as Ernst and Young. Earning her Certified Public Accountantship, she spent 17 years working in finance, holding the position of controller at First Nationwide Bank and later, Charles Schwab. In 2004, Ms. Dilsaver was named President and CEO of Charles Schwab Investment Management, a position she held for three years. Under her management, Ms. Dilsaver was responsible for $210 billion in assets and generated $1 billion in revenue. During this time, she continued advancing her professional knowledge and expertise by completing the Stanford Senior Executive Program for global leaders.
Ms. Dilsaver gives generously of her time and expertise, serving on numerous boards in the fields of education, health, and civic engagement as well as several corporate boards. Blue Shield of California, the Commonwealth Club, Women’s Initiative for Self-Employment and Bishop O’Dowd High School are among the organizations that have benefited from her service. A sought-after speaker, Ms. Dilsaver has appeared on C-Span, CNBC and Bloomberg TV and presented at numerous conferences. Since 2009, Ms. Dilsaver has been a trustee on the California State University, East Bay Educational Foundation Board, and was elected chair in 2012. She received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2008.
In recognition of her extraordinary accomplishments, Ms. Dilsaver has received several awards throughout her career. For six years in a row, she was named by the San Francisco Business Times as part of their “100 Most Influential Women” campaign and received “Outstanding Director” in 2014 in honor of her work. Other organizations honoring her work include the California Women’s Leadership Alliance, Filipinas magazine, and Legal Momentum’s Women of Achievement Award.
In recognition of her support for education, her extraordinary professional achievements and outstanding civic leadership, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University, East Bay are proud to confer upon Ms. Evelyn Dilsaver, the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.