UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Smeal College of Business alumnus Matthew Stuckley, vice president of financial and operational audits and reviews in Johnson & Johnson’s Global Audit and Assurance Department, was recently appointed to the college’s Finance Advisory Board.
The board is composed of alumni in the finance and investment communities who advise Smeal faculty and administration on matters related to the strategic direction of the Department of Finance. Members engage with students in the classroom, offer mentorship, facilitate internship opportunities and encourage research and collaboration between faculty and students.
Board members meet twice each year — once on the University Park campus and once in the New York City region. They also make a financial commitment to the college to support innovative programs and services that benefit students and faculty in the department.
Stuckley, who graduated from Penn State in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in finance, said that Smeal provided the foundation for his career.
“Smeal introduced me to the core technical competencies required to be successful in the corporate world, and opportunities outside the classroom, including a semester abroad in Barcelona, were transformational. Years later, I still lean on those experiences as I guide large, global teams,” he said.
He joined Johnson & Johnson as a member of the company’s Financial Leadership Development Program following graduation and remains with the company nearly 20 years later. Over the years, he has held a series of finance roles of increasing responsibility within the company across Consumer Health, Innovative Medicine and Medtech as well as Investor Relations and Treasury. Today, he leads the global Financial and Operational Audits and Reviews Team, overseeing audit strategy, program management, audit performance and people and organizational development.
Stuckley also designed and launched GA&A LIFT (Global Audit and Assurance – Leaning Into Future Talent), a rotational audit program aimed at accelerating professionals to the manager level by providing training, strategic project opportunities and leadership development across 11 countries.
He attended his first Smeal career fair as a recruiter in September 2006 and has been actively recruiting at Smeal for nearly two decades. He currently serves as the co-CFO sponsor of Penn State finance recruiting at Johnson & Johnson. As co-CFO sponsor, he helps set strategy, provides guidance and connects with students that join the company.
Stuckley said he is continually impressed with the quality of students that Smeal produces.
“Students are Smeal’s ultimate ‘product,’ and that product keeps getting better and better,” he said. “They combine deep finance and accounting fundamentals with direct work experience through internships, case studies and the classroom, all complemented by exceptional leadership qualities.”
Corey C. Phelps, John and Karen Arnold Dean of Smeal, said he looks forward to welcoming Stuckley to the board at its Friday meeting on Penn State’s University Park campus.
“Matt brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of global finance to our advisory board,” Phelps said. “His long-standing engagement with our college and his passion for developing talent align perfectly with our mission to prepare the next generation of financial leaders.”
Stuckley said that Smeal’s finance program shaped his career, and he is eager to give back.
“The board provides a unique platform to influence how Smeal prepares future leaders. I look forward to contributing to curriculum development and to strengthening ties between Smeal and the business community. I am also eager to continue to mentor students and to connect them with opportunities that will accelerate their development,” he said.
He added that universities and companies must focus on developing skills for success in a digital world powered by artificial intelligence.
“Prioritizing rigorous training in the latest digital tools and applications — combined with hands-on experience that mirrors real corporate environments — will position Smeal students for success in a rapidly evolving business landscape,” he said. “Deep collaborations across industries will play a vital role in driving mentorship, networking and placement opportunities, while helping to keep the curriculum aligned with market needs. I can’t wait to get started.”
Gifts to the Finance Excellence Fund help advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development; and increasing the University’s impact for students, families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.