CBO Speaks

Brian Burnett is executive vice president for finance and chief financial officer at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. In this episode, Burnett joins host Melissa Farley to talk about his unconventional path from a Colorado state budget analyst to chief financial officer at five different universities, why he's convinced patience beats fast decisions under pressure, and the Finance Academy model he's built at every institution he's served to open up the budget process to faculty and staff. "You work for an educational institution," Burnett says, recalling advice a mentor gave him early in his career as a chief business officer. He took the lesson to heart, building his leadership style around transparency rather than authority. "You see yourself as an educator first and a rule enforcer second, and I think you'll have more success." Burnett goes on to discuss how that mindset led him to create the Finance Academy, a recurring walkthrough of institutional finances for faculty and senior leaders, at every university he's served since. Join us for a conversation with Burnett as he discusses how Case Western Reserve is approaching AI adoption across teaching, research, and operations, his approach to building and developing the next generation of chief business officers, and the "Colors of Money" budgeting taxonomy behind the legacy of transparency he hopes to leave. Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!

• Career Conversations
• NACUBO in Brief

Sharron Scott is the chief financial and operating officer for the Vermont State Colleges in Montpelier, Vermont. In this episode, Scott joins host Melissa Farley to talk about navigating one of public higher education's most visible financial crises, making the case for radical transparency with boards and stakeholders, and how a systems-thinking mindset shaped her approach to institutional transformation. "Protect the organization's options and protect your own," Scott says. She explains that liquidity creates space for thoughtful decision-making, while trust gives leaders the flexibility to act without triggering resistance from boards, legislatures, and the communities they serve. "Both of those things require you to be honest—really honest—early, well before conditions are going to force your hand." Scott goes on to discuss how that combination of fiscal discipline and proactive transparency became the foundation of her approach as the Vermont State Colleges climbed from eight days of cash on hand in 2020 to roughly four months of reserves by the time of this recording. Join us for a conversation with Scott as she discusses what it means to lead with a "mile wide, inch deep" knowledge base, how she learned to put people before dollars—and why that shift made the financial decisions easier—and the advice she'd give to aspiring CBOs who bring a nontraditional background to the table. Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!

• Career Conversations
• NACUBO in Brief

Rich Kelley is chief financial officer at New England College of Optometry in Boston. In this episode, Kelley joins host Melissa Farley to talk about the leadership philosophy he calls transparent accountability, the financial planning challenges facing tuition-dependent institutions, and the lasting value of mentorship and professional networks in higher education. "I started to realize that the more important skill is creating the conditions to help others arrive at the right answer," Kelley says—whether that means a provost, a president, or someone in admissions. This shift in perspective, from needing to have every answer to empowering others to find them, forms the foundation of a leadership approach he calls transparent accountability. "That just means that I'm as clear as I can be about what I expect, as clear as I can be about what I know, and transparent about the things that I don't know." Kelley goes on to discuss how this philosophy has helped him build credibility and trust across the institution, from the finance office to the senior leadership table. Join us for a conversation with Kelley as he discusses how endurance athletics have shaped his professional resilience, why financial jargon can become a barrier to collaboration rather than a badge of expertise, and what he sees ahead for higher education as institutions navigate demographic pressures, federal uncertainty, and the rise of artificial intelligence.

Connect with Rich Kelley

• LinkedIn

Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!

• Career Conversations
• NACUBO in Brief

Bryan Swarthout is vice president for finance and administration at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. In this episode, Swarthout joins host Melissa Farley to talk about navigating the transition from corporate finance to higher education, leading with influence and servant leadership, and managing a broad institutional portfolio with strategic intentionality. "Be open to opportunities—you never know what project, role, or skill you could build through a new experience that will be the one to help you advance throughout your career," Swarthout says. He urges aspiring finance leaders to experiment, stretch beyond comfort zones, and invest time in learning the full breadth of the organizations they serve. "Build those relationships because they will serve the work that you do very well, as well as your career." Swarthout goes on to discuss how relationship-building is the connective tissue of effective higher ed finance leadership—enabling the trust and influence that moves people and institutions in the same direction. Join us for a conversation with Swarthout as he discusses leveraging AI as both an efficiency tool and a team-building opportunity, applying a mission-first framework to high-stakes financial decisions, and mentoring the next generation of higher education finance leaders. Check out NACUBO' other podcasts!

• Career Conversations
• NACUBO in Brief

Carla Hoʻā is vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. In this episode, Hoʻā joins host Melissa Farley to talk about building organizational resilience, leading through complexity, and transforming higher education through relationship-centered leadership. "The role of the CBO has changed over time... moving from a more transactional leadership to a strategic level of leadership," Hoʻā says. She emphasizes that modern higher education finance leaders must be catalysts who get out of their offices to find paths forward for their organizations. "We cannot be passive leaders in this space. We have to be catalysts for our organizations." Join us for a conversation with Hoʻā as she discusses navigating institutional scale, implementing AI in administrative systems, building trust through shared governance, and creating lasting organizational impact through people-centered leadership. Links

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
  • Career Conversations
  • NACUBO in Brief

Chris Gardner is chief financial officer at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In this episode, Gardner joins our host Melissa Farley to discuss the evolving role of higher education CFOs, building authentic leadership through relationship-focused management, and navigating institutional identity in challenging times. "I want people to hopefully feel like they could approach me, that I could be a partner in whatever situation they were navigating. The CFO or business office can very easily get the reputation of being the office of 'no'," Gardner says, reflecting on the legacy he hopes to leave. "I would much rather be known as the office of 'I'm not sure, but let's try and figure it out.'" Gardner emphasizes the importance of partnership and creative problem-solving in financial leadership. Join us for a conversation with Gardner as he discusses implementing major technology transitions at a small institution, maintaining institutional identity in a changing higher education landscape, and developing the next generation of financial leaders through mentorship and empowerment. Links

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
  • Career Conversations
  • NACUBO in Brief

Audra Kahr is executive vice president for finance and administration at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. In this episode, Kahr joins our host Melissa Farley to discuss her journey from private sector accounting to higher education leadership, building exceptional teams, and creating a legacy focused on student success. "Leadership is about really taking everything you've encountered throughout your life and making it come to life in better ways. As leaders, we fail all the time. We don't always get the right answer," Kahr says. This philosophy shapes how she approaches team building and institutional growth. "What I will do is own it if I get it wrong. I will be honest. I've lived my career by the values that I set early on, and I think if you demonstrate that for your team they can then emulate that." Join us for a conversation with Kahr as she shares insights on managing diverse responsibilities, adapting to higher education's changing landscape, and maintaining a student-centered approach to financial leadership. Links

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
  • Career Conversations
  • NACUBO in Brief

Alan Gilbert is senior vice president for finance and administration at Brooklyn College, part of the City University of New York system in Brooklyn, New York. In this episode, Gilbert joins our host Melissa Farley to discuss leading through transformative times, building trust-based organizational culture, and adapting higher education to meet evolving student needs. "Be yourself is the most important thing," Gilbert says. His authentic leadership style has shaped his approach to managing teams and institutional challenges. "If you don't love students and you don't get the energy from the students, you can't be a CBO. It's all about the students." Join us for a conversation with Gilbert as he talks about navigating the pandemic's challenges, implementing AI responsibly in higher education, and creating a legacy through mentorship and institutional improvement. Links

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
  • Career Conversations
  • NACUBO in Brief

Kizzy Lea is chief financial and operations officer at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In this episode, Lea joins host Melissa Farley to discuss leadership evolution beyond finance, embracing operational innovation, and creating student-centered institutional impact. "Get comfortable wearing multiple hats—it's not just about finance anymore. Technical skills are just the foundation," Lea says, offering guidance to emerging higher education leaders. "Your credibility will be shaped as much by how you lead people as how you manage the dollar." She emphasizes the value of diverse experience—from facilities management to crisis response. Join us for a conversation with Lea as she shares insights on implementing artificial intelligence in community colleges, navigating state budget uncertainties, and transforming campus spaces to enhance learning experiences. Links

• Find Kizzy on LinkedIn
• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
  • Career Conversations
  • NACUBO in Brief

Kevan Buck, president of finance and administration and chief financial officer, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, joins host Melissa Farley to discuss mission-driven leadership, embracing innovation, and creating meaningful student experiences in higher education. "It really comes down to one thing and that's students. If you're on a campus when the kids arrive in the fall and you walk out and you just feel the excitement of the students and the families, it's pretty amazing," Buck says. Having served in higher education finance for over 40 years, he emphasizes the importance of understanding both the business and human aspects of institutional operations. "It's really about the students and about the mission of education." Join us for a conversation with Buck as he shares insights about launching Xavier's new College of Osteopathic Medicine, navigating demographic challenges in higher education, and finding work-life balance in demanding leadership roles. He also discusses how the role of CFO has evolved to become more integrated across university operations, the importance of data-driven decision-making, and why maintaining focus on student success remains critical for institutional leadership. Links

• Check out NACUBO's other podcasts!
  • Career Conversations
  • NACUBO in Brief