Orlando, Florida, United States
I am a staunch advocate for higher education, and would love to continue in my current role where I have the ability to help shape the future leaders of tomorrow. I really do enjoy seeing young people meet and achieve their goals, and in return bring someone else along. That keeps me focused and driven because I am a part of extending a legacy of an institution, but more importantly a little part of the world.
Reporting to President, Dr. Valerie Montgomery-Rice, I am responsible for all finance related matters for the School of Medicine. This work includes the implementation of a new ERP system in Workday, a new budgeting system in Adaptive Planning, and creating a new financial ecosystem that will drive not only financial operating performance, but do so with the creation of metrics that will stress test operations in real time. All this work is geared towards preparing one of the nation’s premier institutions in educating doctors and healthcare professions of color to extend its legacy well into the future.
Oversee all financial and key administrative functions of the university to include the following units: Financial Operations including Controller and all finance and accounting, Human Resources, Campus Safety/Police, Procurement, Shared Services, and through January 2025 all aspects of Facilities and Business Services. Key accomplishments include: Implemented the Workday ERP system. Went live on July 1, 2022. The implementation included all campuses and also brought all Direct Support Organizations into a single platform versus the previous four five independent systems. Implemented the Adaptive Planning Budgeting system (a sister system of Workday). System went live on July 1, 2022. This move allowed for the university to budget from a bottom up approach and provided greater granularity to financial information that has allowed for: (i) budgets to be more transparent, (ii) the creation of monthly financial packets for senior leadership (inclusive of MDAs), and quarterly packets for the Board of Trustees, (iii) allowed for the university to set the framework for an incentive based (RCM/Hybrid) model that was launched on July 1, 2022 which provides senior leadership and the Board of Trustees college level P&L views, and (iv) allowed for Direct Support Organizations to have budgets prepared in tandem with the main campus. Implemented the Shared Services concept for processing all transactions to a more manageable level of one per college versus the previous decentralized approach campus wide. This journey started on July 1, 2022 to coincide with the launch of the new ERP, budget tool, and new budget concept. Revamped cash management protocols in 2022 to garner greater investment returns to support the university’s mission. Investment returns are some of the highest in the university’s history, especially coming out of COVID. Hiring practices integrated to bring faculty related hiring closer to administrative to reduce overall time to hire at the university.
Managed all administrative and financial operations of this prestigious college for African American males. Reporting directly to the president, I oversaw the following functions: Controller’s Office (including all financial reporting) Treasury functions (both cash and debt) Human Resources Facilities Management (including Grounds and Custodial) Information Technology Business Services (all auxiliary services) During my tenure assisted the President and Board of Trustees to bring greater transparency to the college’s operations to ensure resource allocations were clearly understood, and the need for strategic initiatives were discussed in an open and transparent manner. Stabilized the finances, and created several committees to engage in shared governance conversations to shape the annual operating and capital plans. That stabilization included addressing past decisions, and revamping the endowment management protocols and investment advisor. Attempted to drive alternative sources of revenues by exploring P3 partnerships given the college was located in the West End of Atlanta. The goal was to monetize dormant assets to drive new revenue sources to augment the traditional ones. All efforts were designed to both balance budgets, and grow cash reserves for future strategic deployment. I had the distinct pleasure of establishing the Student Success Program for the college after philanthropist Robert Smith made a gift to pay off the loans of the graduating class of 2019. That was a first of its kind program. I led a team effort both on campus, and with external parties and agencies to accomplish that goal. Today, those students are paying it forward in real and tangible ways. Developed a strong team and succession plan that allowed my Controller at the time to step into the role upon my departure, and she is still the CFO to this date. Professional development and succession planning are hallmarks of my leadership approach.
Vice President for Financial Affairs who oversees a division of over 150 finance and accounting professionals who serve the university through the following functions: Controller, Risk Management and Insurance, Tax and Financial initiatives, and Treasury. In addition to the primary responsibilities on the Ithaca campus (Ithaca, New York), also work closely with counterparts in New York City at Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell Tech. Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, this role is one that helps to shape a major portion of the finance and administrative initiatives of the university.
Serve as a strategic partner for the long term financial planning of the College in all aspects. Manage all business and financial related matters for the College. Serve as a member of the President's Council. Serve as the College's laision to the Board of Trustees for the Finance, Facilities, Audit, Investment, and Building and Grounds committees. Oversee all Cash and Treasury functions of the College. Oversee the College long term investment portfolio. Oversee the future debt strategy of the College that will allow for future growth and expansion of the College's operations. Manage and oversee all aspects of the following functions within the College: 1. Facilities and Grounds Maintenance 2. Facilities Services 3. Construction, Design and Planning 4. Campus Stores 5. Conference Center and Event Services 6. Energy and Sustainability 7. Information Technology 8. Purchasing 9. Warehousing http://www.ithaca.edu/news/releases/seasoned-higher-education-financial-manager-named-vice-president-35192/#.UdElv_leaSo http://theithacan.org/33027