The Finance Services Transformation Project is a university-wide effort to strengthen how financial services are delivered across WashU. It is part of a broader shift toward a center-led services model designed to improve consistency, collaboration, efficiency, and effectiveness, in order to strengthen support for the university’s academic, research, and patient care mission.
The project includes financial operations across all Danforth Schools and Central Fiscal Unit (CFU) departments and focuses on common financial transactions, general financial inquiries, reporting, and special projects. We will also be able to provide strategic financial advisory support. Certain functions, including School of Medicine financial operations, departmental research administrator roles, and some highly specialized reporting activities, are currently outside the scope of the initial rollout.
Project Team
Executive Sponsors
David Gray, Executive Vice Chancellor for Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Kurt Shepherd, Vice Chancellor for Budget and Financial Planning and Chief Budget Officer
Co-Leaders
Brianne Burcke Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance and Chief of Staff
Brent Jenson, Senior Associate Dean of Finance and Operations Olin Business School
Shannan Knudsen, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Financial Information Systems
Darren Moy, Project Manager
Advisory Team
Central Finance Leaders and Faculty Representatives (in process)
Key Participants
Finance staff from the Danforth schools, CFU areas, and Shared Business Services Hub
Timeline
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions about the initiative, what this means for you, the process and timeline, or engagement and communication, please view the FAQ. If you have additional questions not addressed, please reach out to the Project Team Co-Leaders.