As we reach another milestone in our journey together, I want to take a moment to recognize the hard work, dedication, and persistence each of you brings to UVAFinance. I know that, day to day, it can feel like we’re in deep juggling priorities, solving complex problems, and keeping multiple initiatives moving forward It’s easy to get
lost in the tasks at hand, but I encourage you to take a step back and see the bigger picture. Everything we do contributes to something greater: advancing the University’s
mission as outlined in the 2030 Great and Good plan.
The road to great and good isn’t always easy, but it is
meaningful Every process we refine, every challenge we
overcome, and every improvement we make moves the
needle forward not just for our team, but for the University,
our community, and beyond. In the thick of things, progress
can feel slow, but rest assured that the work you do matters
Your efforts are shaping real change, driving success, and
laying the foundation for the future.
So, as we keep pushing forward, remember this: your work
makes a difference. Your dedication is seen and appreciated.
And together, we’re building something that will have a
lasting impact Thank you for everything you do
Let’s keep moving forward.
S t e w a r d s h i p o f F i n a n c i a l R e p o r t i n g
Great and Good
The 2030 Plan
UVAFinance Values are the
Foundation of Our Success P r o c u r e m e n t R e a l i z a t i o n W o r k d a y & A n a l y t i c s O p t i m i z a t i o n I n v e s t i n O u r F u t u r e
Our Values Cascade
through the Organization
#1 Impeccable Source of Information
We believe that the information and data we provide to our stakeholders must be accurate, consistent, clear, timely and accessible
#3 Strategic Continuous Improvement
We value innovative ideas that challenge the status quo, empower each team member to make changes that deliver results, and we seek to add l i thi d
#2 Service Excellence
We believe in the importance of anticipating and understanding the needs of our stakeholders, and in striving to always exceed i
#4 Collaborative Partner
We recognize that we can only succeed through relationships with others We partner within our community to accomplish mutual goals in support of our mission: teaching, research,
#5 Diverse and Inclusive Teams
We value diversity, equity, inclusivity and respect. We strive to create a culture where every team member feels included and valued, and where different backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas are celebrated
Goal #1: Stewardship of Financial Reporting
“The toughest stretches are often when the most meaningful progress is happening. Trust the process, lean on each other, and know that what you’re doing matters. ” --Olga Weider
In response to valuable feedback gathered during the Account Certifications Listening Tour, UVAFinance took an important step this quarter to simplify the monthly account certification process for units across Grounds.
Beginning with the January certifications generated on February 1, investment income is no longer included in the account certifications completed by units. Instead, the reconciliation of this activity is now handled centrally by UVAFinance—removing three ledger accounts from the process for our partners across grounds.
This change is part of our commitment to making the certification process more valueadded and less burdensome for stakeholders. By reducing unnecessary complexity, we’re freeing up time and resources across the University and moving one step closer to a more strategic and efficient reconciliation process.
Proactive Risk Management in a Shifting Landscape
In today’s dynamic policy environment, anticipating and understanding potential risks is more important than ever. The University’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program led by Bill Define provides a structured, institution-wide approach to identifying and assessing emerging challenges that may impact UVA’s operations.
As new developments arise from federal agencies, legislative proposals, or executive directives the ERM team captures and evaluates them through a comprehensive risk register. This register documents potential impacts, outlines mitigating actions, and supports informed decisionmaking across the University.
By offering a clear view of emerging risks and their possible implications, the ERM program helps UVA leadership stay prepared, responsive, and aligned with the institution’s long-term goals.
Bill Define
Stewardship of Financial Reporting
AndrewMoomaw: AValuedPartner
Andrew Moomaw
A big thank you to Andrew Moomaw, who was recently praised by Bonnie Danielson, Clinic Administrator for the Sheila C Johnson Center (SJC), for his outstanding support.
Andrew stepped in to help with a complex transaction by meeting with the team, pinpointing the issue, and guiding them through the corrections.
Bonnie shared how much the SJC team values Andrew’s support, noting that he is always willing to assist and goes above and beyond.
SecuringUVA’sF&ARates
Minh Nguyen played a key role in UVA’s successful Facilities & Administrative (F&A) rate proposal by organizing and producing numerous critical reports in response to a data request.
Thanks to Minh’s expertise and effort, UVA reaffirmed its F&A rates - an important outcome that supports research funding and financial planning across the University.
StreamliningCashOpswithSalesforce
Alex D’Agostino
This quarter, Alex D’Agostino completed the successful implementation of Salesforce for the Medical Center’s Cash Operations team - a move that’s already paying off in improved collaboration and response time.
The project brought six new users onto the platform and integrated four unique email addresses, creating a centralized system for managing data.
Thanks to this effort, the Medical Cash Ops team is now more efficiently handles incoming requests, tracks KPIs, and collaborates across functions.
Minh Nguyen
FasterReporting
When new federal guidance impacted Sponsored Programs, the team moved quickly to ensure UVA’s reporting tools kept pace. They modified existing Workday Award and Grant reports to include filtering by federal agency providing users with faster, clearer insight into funding sources and compliance.
To further boost report performance, Michelle Gregory and Krisztina Kiss tapped into Workday’s Prism data tool to pre-aggregate grant expense data The result? Reports that were previously sluggish or unresponsive now deliver information more efficiently and reliably.
Krisztina also collaborated closely with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) to implement new Grant Hierarchies and Analyst roles across all Sponsored Programs reports in Workday She even developed a new UBI app that OSP now uses to manage assignments more effectively.
Thanks to their quick thinking and technical expertise, Sponsored Programs reporting is now more responsive, better aligned with evolving guidance, and easier to manage.
In January, UVAFinance launched an enhanced version of the FDM Validator a key tool that ensures accurate financial worktag combinations across the University.
Danielle Hancock and Amanda Meares led the charge, managing the transition and overseeing critical enhancements to the validator Supporting this upgrade was a strong network of collaboration: the Integrations Team, including Aarati Sonkusare and Leela Mullapudi, made it possible for units to use the validator as an API within their own systems. Melissa Clarke from Business Services provided vital insight to ensure the validator supported operational needs, especially around the updated printing process critical for units like Mail Services.
And as always, the Finance Solution Center was instrumental in helping units adjust to the new tool, offering guidance and answering questions during the rollout.
Thanks to these enhancements, the FDM Validator is now more powerful and user-friendly, helping streamline financial operations across UVA.
Medical Center Remediation Efforts
Efforts continue to strengthen financial and operational infrastructure at the Medical Center.
End user training for journal entries and requisitions, revised policy documentation at the Medical Center for fixed assets, and jointlyissued whitepapers to address new accounting pronouncements are recent examples of work performed by the team.
These ongoing efforts reflect strong panenterprise collaboration between stakeholders from UVA Academic, the Medical Center, UPG, and Community Health, in coordination with third-party consultants.
TreasuryTransformation
UVA Finance is progressing Phase 2 of the General Ledger (GL) Integrity initiative at Medical Center for Payroll the next step forward in our broader GL transformation strategy. The new structure will enhance controls, and clearing accounts that more closely align with bank activity, significantly improving the accuracy of cash recording, exception identification, and reconciliation processes, in follow-up to earlier efforts within the Accounts Payable function (phase I).
Additional efforts from the project team include consolidation of banking services under Bank of America, such as planned outsourcing of residual check printing/mailing to enhance fraud protection and gain operational efficiencies, as well as implementation of a validation tool to verify payee banking information prior to payment execution.
Donald Cook
Julie Richardson
Goal #2: Procurement Realization
Procurement Realization
Successful Launch: Phase I of Paymode Transition Achieved
We’ve officially kicked off UVA’s transition to Paymode ACH, a trusted payment platform from Bank of America, with the successful launch of Phase I in early March.
This shift marks an important step in improving efficiency, streamlining payment processes, and strengthening UVA’s financial alignment. With this change, UVA is simplifying its payment methods for UVA vendors and providing the industry standard option of Net 30 for new vendors. Departments across Grounds can continue processing payments as usual —no changes are required internally—and vendor support will continue to be available through AskFinance.
We’re now focused on Phase II, which will bring more vendors into Paymode later this spring. Communication will remain ongoing, with updates shared via email and the project webpage
A big thank you to everyone involved in planning, testing, and supporting this launch: Adeline Coe, Cynthia Mendoza, Ryan Ellis, Sri Murthy, the Workday Support Team, and ITS!
Driving Insight and Impact: Empowering
Procurement and Communications
Procurement Services has launched a new Salesforce dashboard to track punchout supplier-related inquiries. This tool provides valuable insights into inquiry trends and supports stronger supplier relationship management
Additionally, a recent enhancement now enables the Ask Finance team to better evaluate the reach and effectiveness of Finance communications further advancing data-informed decision-making across the organization These tools are now available to support teams in identifying trends, improving outreach, and continuously refining the customer experience.
Thanks Meredith Dixon for supporting this initiative!
Meredith Dixon
New Resource Empowers Contract Administrators Across Grounds
Procurement Services has created a new Contract Administrator Guide to support departments in managing contracts once the formal procurement process is complete.
The guide outlines key responsibilities, clarifies the role of the contract administrator, and offers practical tips to help departments strengthen supplier relationships, monitor performance, reduce risk, and ensure compliance. This resource is intended to empower departments with the tools and knowledge needed for consistent, effective procurement oversight across the University.
Thanks Garrett for the creation of this helpful resource!
Securing Big Savings for UVA Labs: A Win for Procurement Services Procurement Realization
“Your team is extraordinary at getting things done well, and fast, ” Voice of Customer
A new agreement will provide UVA labs with an additional three years of free subscriptions to Quartzy, a widely used inventory management platform. With 1,444 users across the University, this extension represents significant savings.
The continued access to Quartzy supports lab operations by streamlining inventory tracking and reducing administrative burden. This outcome reflects strong cross-functional collaboration and a shared commitment to finding practical solutions that deliver real value to the University. Thanks Song!
This year marks a major milestone for the Virginia Higher Education Procurement Cooperative (VHEPC): its 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, VHEPC has grown into a thriving partnership, bringing together institutions across the Commonwealth to collaborate on shared procurement needs.
Thanks to the dedication and engagement of its members— VHEPC’s contract portfolio has steadily expanded, offering access to a growing variety of vendor partnerships and costsaving agreements that benefit all participants.
This collaborative model helps institutions streamline purchasing, share best practices, and achieve greater value through collective action.
Working Together for Obligation Management
Efforts to reduce aging outstanding obligations recently led to a significant win. Thank you Dawn Wood for leading the way!
This initiative emphasized partnership across departments, Procurement Services, and the Finance Solutions Center providing hands-on support, personalized guidance, and direct outreach to help units navigate the process. The results reflect more than just numbers they demonstrate how collaborative, focused efforts can streamline financial operations and strengthen how we manage obligations University-wide.
Ryan Balber
Dawn Wood
T&E Team Keeps Travel on Track with Outreach, Training, and Improvements
Caleb Knapton, Procurement
This quarter, the Travel & Expense (T&E) Team has been on the move both figuratively and literally continuing their work to support efficient, cost-effective travel across the University.
The team delivered two TravelUVA presentations one at the Finance Advisory Network and one for the School of Medicine—to highlight how departments can save money by using the TravelUVA booking platform. These sessions not only promoted smarter travel booking, but also helped build awareness of available resources and support.
Sharon Farina, Procurement
In addition to outreach, the team facilitated the annual T&E Card training, helping cardholders stay informed and compliant.
And to top it off, the T&E Team, in partnership with Jamie Reid, finalized and tested an improved Hotel Order Confirmation Document (OCD), incorporating feedback from stakeholders to make the tool more user-friendly and effective.
Jamie Reid deserves high praise for his pivotal role in Hotel OCD form. Jamie took on a complex request and developed a clever, resourceful solution. His technical expertise allowed for the creation of a tool that works seamlessly for Procurement Services, hotel stakeholders, and customers across Grounds.
The result is a solution that provides visibility on what services and products are being purchased in local hotels to leverage spend and negotiate more thoughtfully with our local partners.
Danae Polemi
Chailey Hench
Moserah Nkosi
Jenny Godden
Jamie Reid
UVAStregthensCommunityPartnerships
This quarter, UVA Finance continued to advance its procurement efforts through active participation in several impactful community events.
In March, UVA participated in the Women in Construction Summit in Richmond, contributing to discussions on public-private partnerships, entrepreneurship, and workforce development reinforcing the University’s commitment to economic growth and collaboration.
UVA also celebrated the grand opening of BEACON Kitchen, a New Hill Development project designed to support local culinary entrepreneurs. Representatives Mark Cartwright, Syd Dorsey, and Ajoni Wynn-Floyd joined in recognizing founder Yolunda Harrell’s vision and leadership in cultivating a vibrant ecosystem for small business development.
These engagements reflect the University' s ongoing commitment to strengthening relationships with the regional business community!
Thank you to all involved in representing UVA’s values and furthering our partnerships across the Commonwealth.
Ajoni, Syd, and the Beacon Kitchen folks
Goal #3 - Workday & Analytics Optimization
“Progress isn’t always obvious when you're in the middle of it, but every challenge you tackle moves us forward. Keep going— your effort is shaping something great. ”
-- Katie Walker
Workday Finance Optimization
IntegratingSystems,ElevatingUVA!
We’re deeply appreciative of our strong partnership with Aarti Sonkusare, Director of Workday Finance Integrations, and the ITS team she leads, which is responsible for building and maintaining all inbound and outbound integrations for Workday Finance.
Aarti is an invaluable collaborator to UVA Finance - not only for her exceptional technical expertise, but also for the collaborative spirit, intellectual curiosity, and solutions-oriented mindset she brings to every initiative!
Her proactive work with the Workday Extend platform has unlocked new possibilities for developing custom applications that better align with UVA’s unique needs. By taking the time to understand our functional processes, Aarti consistently delivers thoughtful, business-savvy solutions that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our systems.
Aarati & team continue to step up in meaningful ways streamlining the Account Certification investment income process, managing supplier data integrations from Workday Strategic Sourcing, enabling more efficient handling of individual payments, and automating FDM worktag requests.
We’re grateful for this impactful partnership and the innovation Aarati brings to UVA Finance transformation efforts!
Valued,High-PerformingTeams
ShapingPayrollSolutionsThroughPartnership
As part of the GL Integrity Project, the Payroll team recently completed the first phase of a comprehensive “listening tour” focused on payroll costing and accounting adjustments—key areas identified for process improvement.
Rather than imposing top-down solutions, the team prioritized engagement with the UVA community, meeting with nearly 20 departments to hear directly from those closest to the work. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with teams expressing appreciation for being included early in shaping the path forward.
Led by Victoria Peprah-Asante and Joel Kreider, the Payroll team is now analyzing the feedback to identify actionable solutions, which may include targeted training, streamlined workflows, and enhancements within Workday.
This marks the first full-scale review of payroll processes since the launch of Workday, and represents a vital step in advancing accuracy, efficiency, and user support across the institution.
Victoria PeprahAsante
Joel Kreider
Workday Finance Optimization
Valued,High-PerformingTeams
Weekend Warriors: Rising to the Compliance Challenge
A big shoutout to Nancy Honeywell, Aarati Sonkusare, and Urmila Bajaj, who went above and beyond to prepare Workday for potential regulatory changes. The trio worked tirelessly over the weekend to ensure the system was configured quickly and correctly, helping UVA stay ahead of evolving compliance requirements.
Their responsiveness, dedication, and expertise made a complex task look seamless — and their efforts highlight the strength of collaboration across our teams.
Thank you for your commitment to keeping our systems running smoothly!
In a successful cross-functional collaboration, the Payroll Team supported by the Workday Support Team led an important initiative under the GL Integrity Project to improve transparency and reconciliation for payroll-related transactions.
The effort focused on separating garnishment and tax withholdings previously grouped in a single ledger account. Together, the teams created new ledger accounts, updated posting rules, adjusted financial allocation logic, and revised reporting templates. These changes provide more accurate data and make payroll reconciliation easier across UVA.
Many thanks to the Payroll Team for leading this effort—and to the Workday Support Team for their expertise and partnership in bringing these improvements to life.
Nancy, Aarati, and Urmila
PayrollTeam: DrivingEfficiencyandAccuracyinQ3
The Payroll Team has had an incredibly productive and impactful third quarter, implementing several key improvements to enhance both the accuracy of payroll processing and the overall employee experience. Some of the notable achievements include:
Dynamic Calculation Implementation: The team introduced a new dynamic calculation to improve the accuracy of FSA, HSA, and Dep Care deductions, ensuring a more precise approach to benefits processing. Eliminated Year-End EIB: The team successfully eliminated the year-end EIB, streamlining the year-end payroll process and reducing complexity. Missed Deductions Capture: A new process was established to identify and capture missed deductions, further improving payroll accuracy and reducing errors.
The Payroll Team also tackled significant data cleanup efforts: Inactivated Earn & Deduction Codes: By deactivating outdated or unnecessary earn and deduction codes, the team simplified payroll processes and reduced potential for errors.
Optimized Pay Company Group: A key optimization was made to the Pay Company Group, ensuring more accurate reporting of hours worked across the University. Over 500 DNU Payroll Inputs Removed: The team proactively removed more than 500 unnecessary payroll inputs that were previously processed during payroll runs, improving efficiency.
In addition, the team embraced advanced technologies:
Automatically Submit Time Enhancements: Improvements were made to the Automatic Time Submission process, ensuring smoother and more accurate timekeeping.
Benefits Category Remediation for JPR: The team successfully remediated the usage of the Benefits Category in preparation for the Joint Payroll Reporting (JPR) project, ensuring alignment with future requirements.
SURVEY SAYS:
Salesforce Survey Responses
Thank you, Miranda Bransom, for your quick and professional help on this COI!
Eric Lunnen was great with answering my questions and being very quick to respond
Robbie Almand was fast and efficient and answered all my questions!.
Dawn Wood was great - even took time for a quick Zoom chat to fully explain the resolution.
Lee Bobbio was very helpful and resolved my issue quickly and to my company’s satisfaction.
Excellent service. Your finance staff, who' ve been patiently helpful with me as I get ready to retire, have been the best -and I mean that literally too, the best.
Bess Landolt, Payroll Services
Tina Brice, Becky Clore, Franky Kong, and Andrew Clark
Ask Finance and Invoice processing has improved drastically in the past few months. I appreciate the improvements and changes that have been made.
Anders Coe was very thorough in the response to my issue. Thank you!
Thank you, Nelson Del Rosario! I appreciate the quick turnaround.
Our company serves colleges and universities so we work with a lot of AP departments. UVA is the easiest and most responsive of all that we work with.
The Travel & Expense Team
Donna Cruzado was extremely helpful in assisting me with my request.
I wanted to commend Jenny Godden for her exceptional help with a complicated expense item. Her patience and professionalism were impressive.
Danielle Hancock did a wonderful job and thank you for having these services available so quickly
Jack Jensen is always a great resource. He' s extremely knowledgeable and friendly.
Thanks so much for your prompt response! Danae Polemi is awesome as always!
Micah Boothe, LSP
UVA Finance support is on the ball!
Goal #4 - Invest in Our Future
“It’s easy to focus on what’s left to do, but take a moment to look back at what you’ve already accomplished. Small steps add up to big wins.. ”
-- Julie Richardson
Invest in Our Future
WelcomingTariOmekwetotheWorkday SupportTeam
This quarter, we’re excited to welcome Tari Omekwe to UVAFinance’s Workday Support Team as a Workday Architect.
Tari brings deep systems expertise to the team and will play a key role in strengthening the foundation and functionality of Workday Finance. Her work will help ensure the system is well-optimized to meet the evolving needs of the University community.
We’re grateful to have Tari on board and look forward to the knowledge, collaboration, and momentum she’ll bring to the Workday Support Team!
GregoryOvertonFeaturedinUVAHR’s YearOneStories
Gregory Overton
Congratulations to Gregory Overton, Senior Payroll Specialist, who was recently featured in UVA HR’s Year One Stories! Gregory joined UVA after a decade of payroll experience at Johns Hopkins University and has spent his first year here making a meaningful difference particularly by helping employees navigate the complexities of tax issues, including those unique to remote work.
In his feature, Gregory reflects on the fulfillment he finds in supporting others and how much he values the leadership and collaborative environment at UVA.
Tari Omekwe
Invest in Our Future
PayrollTeamPrioritizesGrowthThrough PeerLearning
The Payroll Team is leaning into professional development in a big way this year by setting a bold team goal: to step outside their comfort zones and grow together.
At each monthly team meeting, different groups within Payroll will take the lead in presenting a topic of their choice - sharing knowledge, building presentation skills, and strengthening collaboration across the team.
This January marked both a work anniversary and a new chapter for Lorraine Keuling, who celebrated four years with UVAFinance and transitioned into a new role on the Business Assets & Cost Recovery team within the Office of Financial Planning & Analysis.
Congratulations, Lorraine, on this exciting next step - we’re so glad you’re continuing your journey with UVAFinance!
In March, Anders Coe reached an exciting professional milestone he successfully passed the Virginia Contracting Associate (VCA) exam and earned his VCA certificate!
Anders shared his appreciation for the encouragement and support he received from the Procurement and Supplier Diversity teams throughout the process. Their backing made a difference as he pursued this goal.
Anders Coe
Alex & Nelson
This February, UVAFinance welcomed two new Business Systems Analysts to the team: Nelson del Rosario and Alex D'Agostino.
Nelson brings a strong background in project management and deep experience with Salesforce systems, adding valuable insight to the Business Systems Analysis team. Alex also brings a robust set of technical skills and Salesforce expertise. She’ll work closely with the Finance Service team to help optimize systems and support service delivery
We' re excited to have them both on board!
ANewChapterforAnnPaxton
Ann Paxton is stepping into a new role as Senior Experience Associate with Finance Solution Center team, where she will focus on cases requiring extra care after escalation, ensuring quick and thorough responses and identifying root causes of issues
Ann has embraced this role with enthusiasm, calling herself a "Finance Detective, " and her experience with her previous team has given her valuable insight into the systems and resources at UVAFinance.
A big thanks to Dawn and Kellyn for their support in allowing Ann to shadow them during her training!
Ann Paxton
Invest in Our Future
GeneralAccountingTeamUpdates
Caleb Knapton, Procurement
We are excited to share the recent changes to the General Accounting team structure that reflect both a moment of transition and a big opportunity for growth.
We have broken down silos and opened new pathways for learning and development This is about empowering every team member with broader responsibilities, greater trust, and more opportunities to shine.
We are confident these changes will create a stronger, more agile team where everyone feels seen, supported, and ready for what’s next!
Stephanie McAteer - Transferring to General Accounting from the Financial Reporting team, Stephanie plays a key role in strengthening financial infrastructure through her focused work on intercompany activity, and compliance reporting. Her current responsibilities offer her a strong platform to grow into a financial operations expert while developing versatile, cross-functional skills.
Andrew Moomaw - Andrew has transitioned from Accounts Receivable to be our resident State Accounting expert Andrew’s evolving role reflects a strong foundation in financial operations with growing opportunities for learning and cross-functional expertise
Vicki Malamphy - A recent addition to General Accounting, Vicki joined us from the Business Services team Vicki is playing a growing role in core financial operations, with a focus on general ledger integrity, and payment processing. Her responsibilities offer strong development opportunities in both technical accounting and operational finance.
Katrina Widner - Katrina’s role is pivotal in the day-to-day operations of the team, with a strong focus on cash management, customer accounts, and banking reconciliations. Her responsibilities allow her to build deep operational knowledge while expanding into broader finance functions through cross-training and team support.
Brandi Van Ormer and Patty Marbury have teamed up once again to bring valuable insights to the UVA community through the latest episode of the Finance Matters podcast. In this episode, they sit down with Jared Lathrop, Communications Specialist for UVA' s Department of Safety & Security, to explore the wide range of services and initiatives the department provides.
Listeners can learn about key areas covered by Safety and Security at UVA, from general safety to specialized services, and learn practical steps they can take to stay safe both on and around Grounds
Scan the code to listen to the Finance Matters podcast featuring Safety & Security
MattBonham
His ability to turn around complex requests quickly, while maintaining a high standard of quality, makes him an invaluable asset. Matt’s willingness to pitch in wherever needed also stands out such as when he stepped up to support Sponsored Programs with an emergency graphic request. Creative,Professional,andAlwaysReadytoHelp:
Matt Bonham from the Communications Team continues to go above and beyond by handling high-priority, time-sensitive requests with grace and efficiency. Whether it’s crafting graphics and slides for the Board of Visitors or providing high-level graphic and reporting support for functional teams, Matt consistently delivers with professionalism and creativity often on short notice.
Matt Bonham
EnhancingSpaceandExperience: LeadershipinAction
Mike Hayton and Stacey Rittenhouse have been instrumental in several key initiatives this quarter.
They served as the leads for the ITS pilot that transitioned Finance from FM Interact to Zoom Workspace Reservation for hoteling and space management. They continue to collaborate with ITS through monthly meetings, recommending ongoing improvements to enhance efficiency and address user concerns.
In addition, Mike and Stacey were critical contributors to the tech upgrades and renovations of Carr 1/2 and Collabs 1-7. Their commitment to ensuring that the spaces are continually monitored and improved highlights their dedication to ongoing excellence.
Thank you, Mike and Stacey, for your leadership and hard work —your contributions continue to make a lasting impact!
Thank you to the entire LSP Team for their work upgrading our tech!
Congratulations to Mike Hayton, Local Support Partner Manager, for earning his ITIL 4 Foundation certification. This certification strengthens Hayton' s expertise in IT and digital service delivery, equipping him with the tools to enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and contribute to a culture of continual improvement. With ITIL 4, Hayton is well-positioned to help our team navigate modern IT practices, optimize value streams, and drive innovation. Way to go, Mike!
This March, several members of the UVA Finance team had the privilege of representing the University at the 2025 SACUBO Women’s Leadership Forum. The forum convened women leaders from across higher education to exchange insights, foster professional growth, and build meaningful connections.
Our representatives actively contributed to discussions shaping the future of finance in academia and returned with fresh perspectives and ideas to support UVA’s ongoing transformation efforts.
We’re proud to see UVA Finance at the forefront of leadership development and peer engagement in our industry.
Katie Walker, Lorrie Jean, Olga Weider, Tracey Marcotte, Julie Richardson, and Amanda Meares
WelcomingComplianceExpertise withMattPhillippi
This quarter, UVAFinance was excited to welcome Matt Phillippi as our new Senior Compliance Analyst and he’s already making an impact.
Matt brings a strong mix of technical expertise and leadership experienc to the role. He joins us from James Madison University, where he spent several years coordinating ARMICS implementation and leading internal control and risk assessment efforts.
Here at UVA, Matt is hitting the ground running by lending his ARMICS knowledge to compliance initiatives, supporting GL Integrity work, and helping document processes across the organization.
Amanda Meares recently completed the Experienced Supervisors Institute (ESI) through the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, a program designed for leaders looking to deepen their leadership capabilities, navigate workplace dynamics, and foster engaged teams.
In addition to ESI, Amanda also earned her certification as Dare to Lead™ Trained through UVA—a development program grounded in Brené Brown’s research that emphasizes courageous leadership, vulnerability, and trust-building in the workplace.
Her commitment to growth reflects UVA Finance’s ongoing investment in strong, values-driven leadership.
Amanda Meares
Matt Phillippi
Invest in Our Future
GratefulforOurPartnersin
theFinanceAdvisoryNetwork
As we reflect on this quarter’s progress, we want to express our deep appreciation for the Finance Advisory Network (FAN)—our vital partners across Grounds. FAN representatives, who serve as finance leaders within schools and units, play a vital role in ensuring the success of our initiatives and in advancing the University’s mission.
This quarter, FAN has been instrumental in helping us move forward on several important fronts. Whether it’s by offering thoughtful feedback, helping resolve issues, or getting the word out about key updates, they’ve consistently shown their commitment to shared success.
FAN members have supported a wide range of efforts this quarter, including:
Sharing vital updates with their teams about Workday’s R1 Release
Helping us communicate changes related to Payroll Accounting processes
Promoting awareness around Account Certification and the Investment Income removal
Distributing information about the Paymode transition
Supporting resolution and communication efforts around the FDM Validator update
Thanks to their insight and partnership, we’re better positioned to align with UVA’s strategic goals, including the 2030 Plan and our own Finance Strategic Goals for 2025.
We’re thankful to walk this path in partnership with FAN - and we’re excited to continue working together to build a stronger, more connected financial community at UVA.
Ask Your Executive Leadership Team
... What’s a simple piece of advice that’s had an outsized impact
on your career?
They say, ‘Dress for the job you want, not the one you have’ and while it’s a little tongue-in-cheek, it’s true that confidence and initiative go a long way. Stepping up, even in small ways, shows you’re ready for more.
One simple principle that’s made a big difference in my career is to approach every decision with integrity, a clear sense of purpose, and respect for both the law and the people affected. It sounds basic, but staying grounded in those values has helped me navigate even the most complex situations.
Never underestimate the impact of small gestures. Remembering a birthday, asking about a loved one, or acknowledging a personal detail might seem simple, but these moments build trust and connection. Over time, they become the foundation for meaningful relationships - and ultimately shape the culture we create as leaders.
Inspired by Liz Lemon, I’m trying to say ‘yes’ more yes to new challenges, new connections, and yes to growth (even if I’d still rather stay in sometimes!). Giving myself permission to lean into opportunities has made a surprising difference.
