NACUBO

CBO Speaks

CBO Speaks from NACUBO showcases our most seasoned CBO colleagues from top institutions around the country as they share stories of their journey as business officers. Their experiences inspire us and show us what's possible in our own work.

Author

NACUBO

Category

Education

Podcast website

www.nacubo.org

Latest episode

May 15, 2026

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android 5M+ downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

Embracing Change Fearlessly with University of North Texas CBO Clayton Gibson 26.04.2024

Clayton Gibson is vice president for finance and administration and CFO at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. In this episode, Gibson joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about his educational journey, his transition from corporate to higher ed, and the importance of mentorship.   "Focus on your career and technical skill sets, but you also want to be involved in the community," Gibso...

Keeping Students Central: University of Arkansas CBO Ann Bordelon on Investing in People 12.04.2024

Ann Bordelon is executive vice chancellor for finance and administration at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. In this episode, Bordelon joins our host Donna Schiele to talk about her career journey, mentorship, and leadership through change in higher education.   "I look back on my career and there have been a handful of people who have really been instrumental," Bordelon says....

Minding the Data: South Florida State College CBO Peter Elliott on Telling Stories with Numbers 29.03.2024

Peter Elliott is vice president for administrative services at South Florida State College in Avon Park, Florida. In this episode, Elliott joins host Donna Schiele to talk about his career path, challenges in higher education, and the importance of community colleges.   "I like to say when I introduce myself: I'm here because usually when a student gets to my office, they're not happy, and the odd...

Managing Risks and Getting to "Yes": UW-Madison CBO Rob Cramer's Insights 15.03.2024

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 understa...

Developing Leaders of Tomorrow: CSUSB CBO Samuel Sudhakar on Grooming Successors 01.03.2024

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. Sudha...

Mentorship That Transforms: Advice from PASSHE's CFO Molly Mercer 16.02.2024

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 descri...

Shared Governance: An Opportunity, Not an Obstacle — DePauw University CBO Andrea Young 02.02.2024

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 ne...

A Bright Future with Change Driving Innovation: University of Kansas CBO Jeffrey DeWitt 19.01.2024

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 ec...

Investing in Student Success: Loyola University Maryland CBO John Coppola on Meeting Evolving Needs 05.01.2024

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 p...

Navigating the CBO Career Path: Michigan State CBO Lisa Frace 15.12.2023

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 forma...

Curiosity Over Ego: UC Irvine CBO Mary Lou Ortiz Talks Learning on the Job 01.12.2023

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...

The Power of Partnerships: Texas Tech CBO Noel Sloan on Collaboration 27.10.2023

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 stre...

From 'No' to 'How': UNLV's CBO Jean Vock on Transforming Campus Perceptions 13.10.2023

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 fir...

Leveling Up in Leadership: Career Growth Tips from Morehouse College's CBO Undria Stalling 29.09.2023

Undria Stalling is the senior vice president of business and finance and chief financial officer at Morehouse College in Atlanta. In this episode, Stalling joins host Donna Schiele to talk about her career path to Morehouse, empowering her team, and the importance of historically Black colleges and universities.   "The most rewarding responsibility is providing the support to my team and them bein...

From Self-Doubt to the C-Suite: The Unconventional Path of Abilene Christian's CFO Lori Herrick 15.09.2023

Lori Herrick, the chief financial officer at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, joins host Donna Schiele on the CBO Speaks podcast. In this episode, Herrick discusses her experience as the first woman CFO in Abilene Christian University's history. She talks about overcoming impostor syndrome as a woman leader and pioneering a seat at the table in higher education finance. Herrick also...

From Data to Decision-Making: Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Higher Education with Lucien Costley 01.09.2023

Lucien Costley is the Vice President for Planning and Finance at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas. In this episode, Lucien joins our host, Donna Schiele, to discuss his unique path to his current role, the challenges and opportunities of being a CBO, and his thoughts on the evolving landscape of higher education. "I wasn't your typical Institutional Research (IR) person," Lucien says, refl...

NACUBO's New Podcast • Career Conversations 28.08.2023

NACUBO's new podcast Career Conversations, featuring insights and advice for business professionals new to higher education, starts airing biweekly on September 8th. Make sure to subscribe!

Bonus Episode 2023: Business Officers Share Their Favorite Resources in Our Resource Corner 07.07.2023

Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. Throughout this season, we've asked our interviewees to share their thoughts about today's important topics.  In this episode, our CBOs share their go-to resources.

Bonus Episode 2023: Business Officers Share Their Thoughts on Creative Solutions 23.06.2023

Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. Throughout this season, we've asked our interviewees to share their thoughts about today's important topics.   In this episode, our CBOs talk about creative solutions.

Bonus Episode 2023: Business Officers Share Their Thoughts on Collaboration 09.06.2023

Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. Throughout this season, we've asked our interviewees to share their thoughts about today's important topics.  In this episode, our CBOs discuss collaboration.

Bonus Episode 2023: Business Officers Share Their Thoughts on Student Success 26.05.2023

Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. Throughout this season, we've asked our interviewees to share their thoughts about today's important topics.   In this episode, our CBOs reflect on student success.

Bonus Episode 2023: Business Officers Share Their Thoughts on Governance 12.05.2023

Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. Throughout this season, we've asked our interviewees to share their thoughts about today's important topics. In this episode, our CBOs talk about governance.

Bonus Episode 2023: Business Officers Share Their Thoughts on Analytics 28.04.2023

Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. Throughout this season, we've asked our interviewees to share their thoughts about today's important topics. In this episode, our CBOs discuss analytics.

Bonus Episode 2023: Business Officers Share Their Thoughts on Advocacy 14.04.2023

Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. Throughout this season, we've asked our interviewees to share their thoughts about today's important topics.  In this episode, our CBOs talk about advocacy.

Bonus Episode 2023: Business Officers Share Their Thoughts on DEI 31.03.2023

Welcome to this special bonus episode of CBO Speaks. We've asked our recent interviewees about important topics for our listeners and collected their responses to share with you in these mini topical episodes. In this episode, our CBOs discuss how to put action towards diversity, equity, and inclusion... or DEI.

Listen to the CBO Speaks podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.