The Search for the Next Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations

On Feb. 6, The University of Minnesota began its search for the next senior vice president for finance and operations. In respect to the board’s promise to remain transparent about the search, they held three feedback sessions over Zoom this past week to gather opinions of what University of Minnesota officials are looking for in the next SVPFO. 

Julie Tonneson, who formerly served as the University of Minnesota’s vice president and budget director has been the interim SVPFO, and the University of Minnesota website notes that “she plays a critical leadership role at the University - from the annual operating budget, biennial budget request and the budget model to the management of institutional-level financial activities and the Budget Office.”

The SVPFO is a high-ranking job, serving the entire University of Minnesota system. According to the University of Minnesota website, the job of the SVPFO “provides leadership for systemwide financial and operational offices, including Budget, Investments and Banking, Finance, Information Technology, University Services, Health, Safety, and Risk Management and Public Safety.” 

Many of the members of the search committee and board members who were present at the feedback session on April 15 stressed the importance of a Vice President who is willing to be an active member of the University of Minnesota’s academic mission and be a strategic leader for future projects. Other wishes for this role were someone who knows how different departments work and are funded, someone who collaborates with their board and someone who will create a successful budget plan.

Rachel Crosen, who is the co-chair of the search committee, and executive vice president and provost, stated her expectation of the next SVPFO to be someone who develops a strategic plan for the 24-25 school year, and to work with Rebecca Cunningham, who was appointed the University’s 18th president on Feb. 26. 

Frank Gigler, who is the Curtis L. Carlson chair in accounting at the Carlson School of Management noted that there has been “lots of turnover” in the last ten years in the University of Minnesota board of directors, such as the new president and chancellor. This makes it all the more important for the next SVPFO to create a succession plan that leaves the University of Minnesota system with proper leadership.

There are currently no more feedback sessions being held, however this feedback form is open to all University stakeholders.