Career Conversations

Charmel Maynard, 2023 recipient of NACUBO's Rodney H. Adams Endowment Award, took a leap of faith to leave banking behind and follow a mentor into university investments. In this episode, Charmel shares how he transitioned to higher education and offers advice on leadership, learning, and team building. Key Points:

• Believes in taking smart career risks and not fearing failure
• Leads with a passion for accountability and ownership
• Values open collaboration with university investment peers
• Emphasizes the importance of asking questions
• Manages by empowering team members' passions
• Creates diverse teams to encourage new perspectives
• Honored for excellence in endowment management

Charmel Maynard has built an impressive career as a university investment leader at an institution that continues to reach key milestones. His story demonstrates the power of taking risks, embracing mentors, and always learning. Charmel encourages listeners to pursue their passions while building strong teams. Links

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• • CBO Speaks
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Anne Santos, assistant dean for finance and administration at Rice University's Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, took an unconventional path to her role. With a background in hospitality and small business, Anne shares how she transitioned industries and offers advice on pursuing your passions. Key Points:

• Transitioned from hospitality/small business to higher ed
• Admires the role of continuing education communities
• Sees similarities in serving others
• Diverse campus was a pleasant surprise
• Learned about university endowments
• Encourages trying higher ed to make an impact
• Shares rewards of student success stories
• Values networking and informational interviews

Anne Santos has built a fulfilling career in higher education administration. Her story demonstrates the power of curiosity and openness to new paths. Anne encourages listeners to pursue their passions and never be the first one to tell themselves 'no'. Links

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• • CBO Speaks
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NACUBO's Christine Simone interviews Rick Wernoski, the associate vice chancellor for operational excellence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Key Points:

• 30+ years in higher ed, started as budget analyst and moved up to leadership
• Passionate about transforming students' lives through academics and research
• Recent success creating a K-2 school that boosted literacy and math scores
• Learned to challenge processes, not just do things because "that's how it was always done"
• Great mentors pushed new ideas, best practices, and supported failures
• Pays it forward mentoring others with honesty, integrity, and trust
• Says "yes" to new opportunities like teaching and committees
• Leadership lesson –ensure all voices are at the table and listen first

Overall, Rick emphasizes being open to new experiences outside your comfort zone for growth. His career shows the rewards of starting small in higher ed administration and working your way up over decades. Links

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
• • CBO Speaks
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Christine Simone, host of Career Conversations, interviews Darrell Duncan, vice president of finance at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. Duncan shares insights from his 25+ year career in higher ed finance, including the importance of loving people, being visible, and embracing change. Key Takeaways:

• Lead with love – Duncan believes you must love people to truly lead them. Exhibit care and develop trust.
• Be visible – Connect with your team regularly. See how they're doing and what's on their mind.
• Pivot quickly – When changes happen, pivot swiftly to the new goals. Support leadership's vision.
• Learn, unlearn, relearn – Stay open to new perspectives. Be willing to admit when you're wrong.
• Focus on the mission – Put the organization's success first and the rest will follow.
• Enjoy the journey – Appreciate relationships and the process. Find work that motivates you.
• Persevere – When challenges arise, get back up. Let obstacles motivate rather than discourage.

Duncan explains that with openness, care, and positivity, you can accomplish great things in your career. Tune in to hear more! Links

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
• • CBO Speaks
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In this episode, host Christine Simone interviews Marissa Pace, associate vice president of business and financial affairs at Spelman College. Pace shares her journey transitioning from corporate finance roles to higher education administration, driven by the mission to educate and serve students. Key Takeaways:

• Higher ed provides a sense of purpose
• Engage fully in roles to understand how you fit into the bigger picture
• Fail forward – mistakes provide opportunities to learn and grow
• Build relationships and diverse networks of mentors
• Take risks and accept new challenges to progress careers

Pace's story shows how following your passion can bring great purpose and fulfillment. Her advice on networking, risk-taking, and learning from failures provides valuable lessons for career transitions. LINKS

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
• • CBO Speaks
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In this episode, host Christine Simone interviews Virginia Teachey, associate vice president of budget and finance at Penn State University. Teachey shares how she accidentally fell into higher ed administration but progressed to leadership through mentorship, calculated risks, and self-investment. Key Takeaways:

• Started higher ed career accidentally but stayed for mission-focused work
• Mentors guided career development at all stages
• Took calculated risks and invested in self-education
• Leaders should motivate teams, not wield titles
• Hard work and openness enabled career progression

Teachey's story shows how mentorship, calculated risks, and continual learning can advance leadership and careers. LINKS

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
• • CBO Speaks
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In this episode, host Christine Simone interviews Katie Walker, Assistant Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis at the University of Virginia, as well as the recipient of NACUBO's Rising Star Award. Katie shares her unexpected path to higher education finance after studying history and anthropology as an undergrad. She also provides key lessons learned about implementing budget models, utilizing data analysis, leadership principles, and fostering career growth. Key Takeaways

• Many meaningful roles in higher ed beyond faculty
• Data analysis provides insights to guide strategy
• Implementing new budget models requires connecting vision and buy-in
• Leadership builds trust through communication and recognition
• Foster growth by encouraging teams to take on new challenges
• Get comfortable with uncertainty to facilitate growth

Katie's story shows how following interests can lead to unexpected yet rewarding careers. Her leadership style and budget expertise provide valuable lessons for higher ed professionals. Links

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
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How does a finance professional go from overseeing city budgets to leading a university's financial strategy? For Angie Kraetsch, associate vice president for financial services at Cal Poly, it was a winding path full of strong mentors, challenging transitions, and learning to "get to yes." In this episode of Career Conversations, Angie shares her unique journey leading finance in both city governments and higher education. Learn how she leveraged transferable skills while navigating vastly different organizational cultures and missions. Early mentors encouraged Angie's growth in school and work, giving her pivotal opportunities to advance and develop her leadership. Now, she encourages leading with empathy, approachability, and an openness to continued collaboration and growth. LINKS

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
• • CBO Speaks
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Balancing parenthood and career growth isn't easy, but Melissa Hogarty is proof it can be done. As Assistant Vice President for Business in the Office of Finance and Administration at Stony Brook University in New York, Melissa has climbed the ladder in higher ed while raising two kids. She joins host Christine Simone on Career Conversations to share her journey and tips, from managing mom guilt to leading with empowerment. They discuss Melissa's career journey in higher education, from working at a medical school to various roles at Stony Brook University. After starting a family, Melissa's priorities shifted and she's prioritized normalizing conversations about work-life balance both among her colleagues and when giving professional presentations. The episode provides an inside look at the challenges of identifying as a parenting professional, regardless of gender. Melissa offers encouragement, tips, and her story to inspire other professionals balancing parenthood and career growth. LINKS

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
• • CBO Speaks
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In this episode, Christine Simone interviews Rick Anderson, executive vice president of finance and operations at the Medical University of South Carolina. Rick has worked in higher education administration for 35-plus years at eight universities across six states. Not many business officers have been an athletic director at two different Division I schools, but Rick's path through higher education has been uncommon. Throughout his career, Rick recognized effective leaders and enjoyed working for them multiple times, enabling unique interim roles. He values leaders focused on growth, learning, and execution, without micromanaging. Rick emphasizes making each institution better and enhancing the degree's value. Rick advises hiring and investing in future leaders to build your legacy. Overall, he has found higher education administration rewarding for balancing family and interests. Tune in for this great career conversation to hear more of Rick's insights. LINKS

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