“The secret of being a great financial officer is being able to talk to anyoneabout anything,” says today’s guest. And with over 40 years tenure at Spelman College, VP of Business and Financial Affairs, Robert “Danny” Flanigan, knows a thing or two about talking finance to a wide range of interests.

Flanigan shares his insights on the evolution of the CBO role. In the old days, financial officers “were accountants. They didn’t engage with the community or students.” But the role has changed. Today, the CBO is a partner to the president, says Flanigan, and in today’s conversation, he discusses the impact that the CBO has on the institution, and most importantly, the great joy he gets out of being a key part of his school.