CBO Speaks

Rob Cramer is vice chancellor for finance and administration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, WI. In this episode, Cramer joins host Donna Schiele to discuss learning from mentors, overcoming challenges, and being optimistic for higher education.   "How do we get to ‘yes’ when being asked to help solve problems?" Cramer reflects. Despite challenges, he remains focused on understanding needs and finding solutions—a mentality that fuels his optimism for higher ed's future. "That's still something that really sticks with me today," Cramer says.   Join us as Rob Cramer recounts his journey from state government to higher ed leadership. He shares insights on managing risks, fostering student success, and supporting today's evolving workforce. Even amidst challenges, Cramer remains optimistic about the critical value of higher education.   Links Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! Career Conversations (brand new!) NACUBO in Brief

Samuel Sudhakar is vice president and chief financial officer at California State University, San Bernardino in San Bernardino, CA. In this episode, Sudhakar joins host Donna Schiele to talk about his career journey, the importance of developing leaders, and how higher education needs to adapt.   “The effectiveness of a leader comes from developing a number two and succession plan,” he says. Sudhakar emphasizes grooming leaders within his team and providing opportunities for growth. “Over the years, we had developed a strong infrastructure in IT. So when I moved over, taking over this division, I had very strong people supporting me on the IT side." He goes on to discuss the importance of empowering others.   Join us for a conversation with Sudhakar as he talks about supporting student success, advancing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and preparing for the future of higher education with AI.   Links Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! Career Conversations (brand new!) NACUBO in Brief

Molly Mercer is chief financial officer at the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In this episode, Mercer joins host Donna Schiele to discuss navigating a career in higher education finance, embracing shared governance, and growing as a leader through mentorship.   “I can't say enough about the importance of mentoring,” Mercer emphasizes. She describes the value of having a mentor you can be vulnerable with and gain perspective from. Mercer stresses the immense value she found in formal mentorship programs for developing leadership skills.   Join us as Mercer shares lessons learned from her varied career path leading to higher ed finance. She talks about transitioning from the corporate world, participating in mentorship, and driving transformation through a focus on people and communication.   Links Find Molly on LinkedIn Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! Career Conversations (brand new!) NACUBO in Brief

Andrea Young is vice president for finance and administration and associate professor of mathematical sciences at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. In this episode, Young joins host Donna Schiele to discuss her career journey in higher education administration, the importance of shared governance, and building consortium relationships.   "I think that oftentimes, particularly if one is new to higher education, shared governance can really be a big culture shift and can seem as though it is antithetical to change, that it's a barrier to getting work done," she says. Young goes on to explain how she sees shared governance as an opportunity for collaboration and sustainable change, not an obstacle.   Join us for a conversation with Andrea Young as she talks about leveraging the CFO's role as a strategic advisor, tackling impostor syndrome, and using consortiums to provide better student mental health services.   Links Andrea Young on LinkedIn Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! Career Conversations (brand new!) NACUBO in Brief

Jeffrey DeWitt is chief financial officer and executive vice chancellor for finance at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. In this episode, DeWitt joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about the challenges facing higher education, the importance of strategic alignment, and the bright future ahead for universities.   “The future of higher ed, which is what we're working on at KU, is the economic engine of Kansas,” he says. DeWitt emphasizes how universities drive innovation and research that spur economic growth. “We are providing the research that spurs new technology that brings jobs into your state,” he explains.   Join us for a conversation with DeWitt as he talks about the need for shared governance, how national events affect campus, and why he is optimistic about the future of higher education.   Links Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! Career Conversations (brand new!) NACUBO in Brief

John Coppola is vice president for finance and administration at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. In this episode, Coppola joins host Donna Schiele to talk about finding mentors in higher education, investing in initiatives that support student success, and participating in professional associations like NACUBO and EACUBO.   “There’s no better opportunity to really get your finger on the pulse of what’s going on in higher education than joining these associations and coming to the workshops or the annual meetings or whatever it might be,” he says. Coppola emphasizes the value of networking and learning from peers at similar institutions through groups like NACUBO and EACUBO. He goes on to highlight the mentoring opportunities these organizations provide for emerging leaders and aspiring CBOs.   Join us for a conversation with John Coppola as he talks about adapting to meet the evolving needs of today's workforce, forging partnerships to expand academic program offerings, and preparing for record incoming-freshman classes.   Links Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! Career Conversations NACUBO in Brief

Lisa Frace is senior vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. In this episode, Frace joins host Donna Schiele to discuss her career path, lessons learned, and insights on the future of higher education finance.   "I think mentorship evolves over time. I can think about each organization I was in and how even if it wasn't a formal mentorship relationship, there was always an ability to learn. And sometimes it was formal and sometimes it was informal," she says. Frace explains how she has benefited from mentors throughout her career, both through formal programs and informal relationships. She emphasizes the importance of identifying qualities to develop professionally and finding people who exhibit those qualities to provide guidance.   Join us for a conversation with Frace as she talks about transitioning from corporate roles to higher education, the complexity of university finances, shared governance, mentoring the next generation of leaders, and innovating in areas like blockchain technology.   Links Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! Career Conversations (brand new!) NACUBO in Brief

Mary Lou Ortiz is vice chancellor, finance and administration and chief financial officer at University of California, Irvine. In this episode, Mary Lou joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about learning on the job, developing mentor relationships, and leading through change.   “One of the things I noticed was that a mentor I had was never afraid to say, ‘I don't understand,’ and to ask questions,” she says. Mary Lou explains how not being afraid to ask questions and admit when you don't understand something has been crucial for her. ““I've emulated that now because I've realized that in my role, if I ask questions, then it frees up other people to ask questions too.” She emphasizes the importance of curiosity and not being afraid to learn.   Join us for a conversation with Mary Lou Ortiz as she talks about the importance of relationships, managing change, and always looking for new challenges.   Links Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! Career Conversations NACUBO in Brief

Noel Sloan is senior vice president of administration and finance and chief financial officer at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. In this episode, Noel joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about her winding career path to higher education, the importance of mentorship and collaboration, and her approach to creating a magical experience for everyone who visits Texas Tech's campus. Noel stresses the importance of building collaborative relationships with peers and partners across departments and institutions. “One of the most important relationships you can build at this level is left/right with your peers to achieve whatever your initiatives are.” She goes on to share her optimistic view of the evolutions ahead for higher education.   Join Noel Sloan as she talks about finding fulfillment in higher education, the Disney-inspired approach she takes to create a welcoming campus environment, and the ways she leveraged data and cross-departmental collaboration to improve graduation rates at Texas Tech.   Links Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! Career Conversations (brand new!) NACUBO in Brief

Jean Vock is the senior vice president for business affairs and chief financial officer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).   In this episode, Vock discusses the growth of UNLV to serve the Las Vegas community, her philosophy of leading with service and stewardship, and efforts to transform the perception of the CFO's office.   "If we start out in an intake conversation saying, ‘The first thing I'm going to tell you is that there's all these rules and all these regulations,’ you're probably not going to be able to get that done. That is not as productive as if we start out by saying, ‘Help me understand what you're trying to accomplish and why’," Vock explains on shifting to a service mindset.   Additional topics include: Her career journey through higher education finance Mentorship through professional associations Fostering organizational culture and trust Bandwidth challenges limiting innovation Effective leadership transitions and succession planning   Join us for an insightful discussion on navigating change and complexity with UNLV's CBO, Jean Vock.   Links Check out NACUBO’s other podcasts! Career Conversations (brand new!) NACUBO in Brief