Thor Wasbotten Named Executive Director of Edward C. Kennedy Center for Business Ethics

Strategic leader to continue Center's ethical impact in Nashville business 

Belmont University’s Jack C. Massey College of Business has appointed Thor Wasbotten as the new executive director of the Edward C. Kennedy Center for Business Ethics, effective July 1. Wasbotten will oversee initiatives and programming for the Kennedy Center in addition to joining the College as a special assistant to the provost and professor of practice.  

Wasbotten brings more than 20 years of multidimensional leadership experience in higher education, television and journalism to the Kennedy Center. Most recently, Wasbotten served as managing director of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. His expertise in ethical leadership aligns with Belmont's mission to develop leaders of purpose and character who transform the world. 

“Thor’s leadership experience brings us an aspirational vision that aligns beautifully with the campus and college mission,” said Dr. Sarah Gardial, Massey College of Business dean. “With Thor at the helm, the Kennedy Center will remain committed to fostering innovation and collaboration for Belmont’s students and the greater Nashville community, while specifically advancing our students’ ethical and character development as a part of their ‘whole person formation.’” 

Prior to his role at Santa Clara University, Wasbotten served as director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State University, where he helped the School eliminate its nearly $1 million deficit through thoughtful cost reduction and increased enrollment.  

Before transitioning to education, he established a successful broadcast journalism career, holding various leadership roles at multiple award-winning local television stations, including news director and station manager. He also served as managing director and partner at Blue Heron Research Partners — a Manhattan-based financial consulting firm specializing in due diligence. 

The Kennedy Center for Business Ethics is one of five Centers of Engagement within the Massey College of Business established to provide resources, support and experiential learning in specialized industries that distinctly impact Nashville’s business community. As one of Belmont's distinguished business centers –– and under Wasbotten’s leadership –– the Kennedy Center for Business Ethics will remain a trusted source of guidance and education on ethical leadership, while exploring new avenues to cement itself as an indispensable resource in Nashville and Middle Tennessee for organizations to enhance their ethical cultures. 

“I am humbled and grateful to join Belmont University,” Wasbotten said. “The Edward C. Kennedy Center for Business Ethics is committed to both engaging students and working with leaders in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee communities. I look forward to enhancing our community partnerships and student impact through community and campus engagement and collaborative thought leadership and resources. It is more important than ever that the Kennedy Center for Business Ethics continues its crucial work of cultivating ethical leadership and a culture of ethics, in our present and future workforce.” 

Wasbotten holds a master’s degree in journalism and communication from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Southern California, with an elective emphasis in family counseling at both undergraduate and graduate levels.