In this episode of Career Conversations, Christine Simone talks with Venessa Ortega, director of campus budget administration at the University of Colorado at Boulder (Boulder, CO). Ortega shares her unique career journey from professional theater in Chicago to higher education finance, beginning with a BFA in Theater and six years as a professional actress before discovering an unexpected passion for Excel while working in an administrative role. This interest led her to pursue a master's degree in accounting and eventually join the University of Colorado at Boulder's budget office, where she has served for nearly a decade. Throughout the conversation, Ortega discusses how her theater background enhanced her higher education career, particularly in understanding interpersonal dynamics and reading room situations. She emphasizes how skills from Commedia dell'Arte help her navigate power dynamics in professional settings, while her experience during COVID-19 budget cuts taught valuable lessons about transparent leadership and building trust through difficult conversations. The discussion explores professional development strategies, with Ortega emphasizing the importance of curiosity in career growth. She encourages understanding the broader context behind financial decisions in higher education and credits NACUBO's resources for ongoing learning opportunities. Her story demonstrates how diverse professional experiences can enhance leadership in higher education administration, with key advice focusing on developing deep understanding beyond immediate tasks and building authentic relationships. Links

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
  • CBO Speaks
  • NACUBO in Brief

Building a Legacy Through Versatility and Purpose Joe Sobieralski, senior associate vice president for administration and business affairs and university treasurer at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC, shares his journey from athletics to finance leadership. In this episode, host Christine Simone explores how intentional career moves and mentorship shaped Sobieralski's path in higher education business. The episode explores key themes including transitioning from athletics administration to university finance, the value of versatility in higher education leadership, and the importance of alignment between personal values and institutional mission. Starting in athletics at the University of South Carolina, Sobieralski's career path led him through roles as business manager at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and vice chancellor and CFO at USC Aiken before returning to USC's flagship campus. Throughout the conversation, Sobieralski emphasizes how lateral moves expanded his expertise and understanding of higher education operations. He shares insights on maintaining connections across institutional systems, understanding personal brand in career decisions, and creating institutional legacy through daily dedication to improvement and innovation. Links

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
  • CBO Speaks
  • NACUBO in Brief

From First-Gen to Financial Leader: Chris Foster's Journey Chris Foster, associate vice president of student accounting and integrated student services at the University of North Texas in Denton, shares his path from being a first-generation college student to leading transformative student services initiatives. His story begins with a pivotal moment in a Texas Tech University hallway, where a kind financial aid staff member helped chart his college path—an experience he carries with him through his guiding principle that "Some stranger somewhere remembers you because you were kind to them." At UNT, Foster has spent 17 years reshaping student financial services, most notably through the creation of UNT One Stop—a comprehensive service center that breaks down traditional departmental silos to provide seamless support for students and their families. This innovative approach combines admissions, financial aid, student accounts and other essential services into one unified experience, reflecting Foster's commitment to simplifying the student journey. Drawing from his personal experience as a work-study student who learned higher education finance from the ground up, Foster champions a leadership philosophy centered on understanding "the why" behind processes and empowering team members at all levels to contribute solutions. His approach emphasizes relationship building across departments and the importance of taking chances on people, much like the mentors who shaped his own career path in higher education. Links

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
  • CBO Speaks
  • NACUBO in Brief

Finding Your Authentic Path in Higher Education Finance On this episode of Career Conversations, NACUBO director of leadership development Christine Simone talks with Stephanie Mayer, budget analyst at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey. After eight years in corporate utility finance at PSENG, Mayer discovered her calling through teaching finance as an adjunct professor, which led her to pursue both an MBA and Ph.D. while maintaining her corporate role. This parallel path eventually guided her to full-time higher education finance, where she combined her quantitative expertise with qualitative storytelling. In her current role, Mayer manages budgets across multiple academic units, helping translate financial data into meaningful narratives for different departments—from business to arts programs. She shares insights on navigating institutional changes, including mergers and new college creation, while maintaining strategic financial planning. Her experience demonstrates how understanding both faculty and administrative perspectives enhances budget management in higher education, particularly in hybrid work environments. The conversation explores important themes for finance professionals considering similar transitions, including overcoming imposter syndrome, finding workplace culture fit, and building authentic relationships in academic settings. Through candid discussion of her professional journey, Mayer provides valuable insights for those seeking more meaningful work environments where they can fully utilize both their technical skills, and personalities. She emphasizes that age should not limit career advancement and encourages professionals to pursue opportunities that align with their authentic selves. Links

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
  • CBO Speaks
  • NACUBO in Brief

Derrick Sawyer's 20-year journey in higher education business and finance traces back to an entrepreneurial start at Delaware State University, where he managed a student-run food business and later the campus newspaper's finances. Currently serving as associate vice president of budgets, business services and risk management at Community College of Philadelphia, his path led through key roles at Temple University and Drexel University before landing in his current position. Sawyer offers unique insights from his experience across diverse institution types, from an HBCU to major research universities and now a community college. His leadership philosophy has evolved from a purely transactional approach to one centered on servant leadership and emotional intelligence. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of calculated risk-taking, continuous learning through professional associations, and the power of strong mentorship relationships. Most compelling is Sawyer's perspective on higher education leadership: success isn't just about strategy and performance metrics, but about building meaningful connections across all levels of an institution. His commitment to innovation while maintaining student success at the forefront has shaped his approach to fiscal management and operational excellence. The episode offers valuable insights for professionals at any stage of their higher education career, particularly those interested in business operations, finance, and institutional leadership. Links

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
  • CBO Speaks
  • NACUBO in Brief

As senior director of technical accounting and reporting at Howard University in Washington, DC, Meyroodjy Delva discovered his passion for accounting in high school through a business computer class. Now leading financial operations at his alma mater, Delva shares his journey from Big Four accounting to higher education leadership. In this episode, Delva discusses his transition from public accounting at KPMG to higher education during COVID-19, and how he built high-performing financial teams at Howard. He shares insights on navigating major institutional challenges including ERP implementation and cybersecurity incidents, while developing his leadership philosophy across different organizational cultures. Delva also reflects on creating a lasting legacy of financial excellence at Howard University. "What I was looking for is really problem solvers, like really smart people that don't run away from complex problems," says Delva, highlighting his approach to team building. His career insights emphasize embracing challenging opportunities despite setbacks, building strategic networks, adapting leadership style to institutional culture, handling professional feedback constructively, and maintaining focus on continuous process improvement. Links

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
• • CBO Speaks
  • NACUBO in Brief

Kate Smith, controller at Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri, brings a wealth of experience in transforming higher education finance through innovative approaches to data and modeling. In this episode, Smith shares her journey from public accounting to higher education, including her work with nonprofits, an 8-year stint at higher ed marketing firm mStoner, and her role as controller at Logan University before joining Maryville's team of 10,000 students. Smith emphasizes the critical shift happening in higher education finance, moving from traditional historical reporting to forward-thinking financial planning and analysis (FP&A). She discusses how modern financial leaders must focus on predictive modeling and future scenarios to support institutional decision-making effectively. Drawing from her experience implementing financial tools at both small and large institutions, Smith provides practical insights on modernizing financial operations while working within existing constraints. The conversation explores the vital role of professional networks in higher education, with Smith's own career trajectory serving as a testament to the power of relationship building. She shares her approach to team development, seeking out curious minds who question processes and aren't afraid to take calculated risks. Smith also discusses how finance leaders can support institutional growth while maintaining agility in their operations. Key Takeaways:

• Financial leaders must shift focus from historical reporting to predictive analysis
• Technology modernization can be approached incrementally based on institutional needs
• Professional networking creates unexpected opportunities throughout your career
• Successful finance teams balance risk-taking with mission-driven decision making

The episode offers valuable insights for both emerging and established higher education finance professionals, highlighting the evolution of the field and the importance of embracing change while maintaining strong financial fundamentals.

In this episode of NACUBO's Career Conversations podcast, host Christine Simone sits down with Isaiah Behnke, director of student finance at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. Isaiah shares his unique career journey, which he describes as an "improvised jazz session" rather than a scripted symphony, with twists and turns that led him to his current role at UVA. He discusses a pivotal moment of being laid off early in his career, which taught him the importance of embracing discomfort and vulnerability. Isaiah also explains his leadership philosophy based on three core pillars: imperfection, collective effort, and genuine connection. To stay curious and innovative, Isaiah engages with professional organizations like NACUBO and taps into on-campus resources. Rather than focusing on leaving a legacy, Isaiah aims to make a meaningful impact in the present by creating a culture where people feel valued, heard, and supported. He draws inspiration from the ancient Greek concepts of "eunoia" (beautiful thinking and goodwill) and "eudaimonia" (flourishing through virtue or purpose) to guide his approach to leadership and problem-solving. Isaiah's advice for higher education professionals includes embracing imperfection, assuming the best in others, bringing humility and humor to your work, focusing on people rather than just processes and systems, and allowing discomfort and uncertainty to stretch and grow you rather than derail you. Tune in to hear Isaiah Behnke's full story and gain valuable insights on genuine, collective, and imperfect leadership in higher education. Links

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
• • CBO Speaks
  • NACUBO in Brief

In this insightful Career Conversations episode, host Christine Simone sits down with Adrienne Frank, director of business and fiscal administration at Auburn University's Harbert College of Business in Auburn, Alabama. Adrienne shares her unique journey from the corporate world to higher education, offering valuable advice for those seeking career growth and fulfillment. Key Takeaways:

• Embrace change and new opportunities to find your passion
• Collaborate and build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders
• Foster a spirit of continuous process improvement
• Promote financial awareness and fiscal responsibility at all levels
• Never stop learning and growing professionally

Adrienne's journey from the corporate world to higher education demonstrates the importance of embracing change and being open to new opportunities. Her experiences highlight the value of collaborating and building strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders to achieve common goals. Throughout the conversation, Adrienne emphasizes the significance of fostering a spirit of continuous process improvement and promoting financial awareness and fiscal responsibility at all levels of an organization. She encourages listeners to trust their instincts and never stop learning and growing professionally. Adrienne's passion for her work and her commitment to making a positive impact in higher education shine through in this engaging conversation. Her insights and advice serve as valuable lessons for anyone looking to advance their career and make a difference in their organization. Links

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
• • CBO Speaks
  • NACUBO in Brief

This conversation – a crossover episode between our two other podcasts CBO Speaks and NACUBO in Brief – is important enough that we wanted to release it on this feed as well. Enjoy! The fifth edition of the National Profile of Higher Education Chief Business Officers, released last year, offers crucial insights into the career paths, responsibilities, and aspirations of CBOs across the country. In this special crossover episode between CBO Speaks and NACUBO in Brief, CBO Speaks' host Donna Schiele and NACUBO's Bryan Dickson explore the Profile's findings with Nicole Long, chief financial officer and vice president of finance and administration at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, and Peter Elliott, vice president for administrative services at South Florida State College in Avon Park, Florida. The Profile examines key demographic trends in higher education leadership, revealing significant progress in diversity while highlighting areas still needing improvement. Long and Elliott provide valuable context around the study's findings on career pathways, succession planning, and evolving skill requirements. Their discussion emphasizes how the CBO role continues to expand beyond traditional financial oversight, with increasing focus on data analytics, new business models, and strategic planning - areas that require intentional development of future leaders. Join us for an insightful discussion about:

• Key findings from the 2024 CBO Profile, including demographic shifts and emerging trends
• Essential skills for modern CBOs, including strategic planning and change management
• The importance of succession planning and developing future leaders
• How the role of CBO continues to evolve and expand beyond traditional financial responsibilities
• Strategies for attracting diverse talent to CBO positions

The 2024 National Profile of Higher Education Chief Business Officers provides crucial insights into the changing nature of the profession, revealing how the role continues to expand beyond traditional financial oversight to encompass strategic planning, data analytics, and comprehensive institutional leadership. This discussion brings these findings to life through the experiences of current CBOs, offering valuable perspective for institutions and leaders working to develop the next generation of higher education business officers. Links

• Learn more about the National Profile of Higher Education Chief Business Officers
• Connect with Peter on LinkedIn
• Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn
• Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn
• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
• • CBO Speaks
  • NACUBO in Brief