Following a national search, Yale has appointed Rice University chief financial officer Katrina Spencer as Yale's next vice president for finance, chief financial officer, and treasurer, university leaders announced today.
She will begin her new role on Sept. 23.
"Throughout her career, she has earned a reputation as a strategic leader who helps institutions strengthen their financial foundations while advancing their academic missions," Maurie McInnis, Yale's president, and Geoff Chatas, senior vice president for operations, wrote in a message to the community.
At Rice, Spencer has provided strategic oversight for the university's finance organization. She has led the development of a new university-wide budget model, long-range financial planning efforts, and initiatives that improved collaboration, service, and financial stewardship across the institution.
Spencer, who earned a master of public administration from Columbia University and a bachelor of arts in history from Brigham Young University, previously held senior financial leadership roles at the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Chicago, and the University of Connecticut. At these institutions, she led transformative financial planning and budget initiatives that guided the organizations through complex operational and financial challenges.
"Katrina's experience will serve Yale well as we continue to strengthen the university's financial stewardship and support our academic mission," McInnis and Chatas wrote in their message. "We are confident she will be an outstanding partner to colleagues across the university and a valuable member of the Operations leadership team."
In their message, McInnis and Chatas expressed gratitude to the members of the search committee during the search process, which began in March. "Their efforts were instrumental in identifying the next leader for this important role," they wrote.
They also expressed their thanks to Shannon Smith for her outstanding leadership while serving as interim vice president of finance. "Shannon's steady guidance during this transition provided continuity, and we are grateful for her many contributions," McInnis and Chatas wrote.
