Business and Finance teams drive ASU’s mission forward

Every operational milestone at Arizona State University is achieved through a dedicated team or department of professionals who turn the university’s mission into an impactful reality.

Last month, the Office of Business and Finance leadership team gathered to recognize the employees who help advance that mission by serving the community, impacting students and fostering innovation.

Business and Finance employees were honored at Old Main on the Tempe campus on Aug. 22 for accomplishments in campus food service, sustainability, the launch of Workday, employee benefits and campus development.

These efforts represent just a few of the ways Business and Finance supports the university’s success — with projects across ASU making a lasting difference for students, staff and the wider community.

Anjali Halabe, Business and Finance vice president and finance deputy treasurer, spoke of the Arizona Golf House construction at Papago Golf Course in Phoenix, completed April 30 –– to which ASU contributed $8 million.

The 14,000-square-foot golf house expands access to the sport for Sun Devils who might not otherwise have the opportunity to play and serves as a statewide hub for golf programming, education and community engagement. The project was a collaboration between the Arizona Alliance for Golf, ASU, the city of Phoenix and the Arizona Golf Community Foundation.

Halabe and Tim Smith, vice president of ASU Facilities Development and Management, recognized the following staff members for their contributions to the golf house project:

• Jim Daniels, associate director, Financial Services
• Cheryl Kimball, financial analyst principal, Financial Services
• Joe Lisiewski, assistant vice president and university architect, Office of University Architect
• Michael Ramsdale, project manager senior, Capital Program Management Group

ASU is committed to creating opportunities not just for students, but also for the employees who make its mission possible. This year, the Office of Human Resources introduced new benefits aimed at enhancing the employee experience and supporting overall well-being.

To continue ASU’s effort to strengthen its position as an employer of choice, Michael Latsko, office vice president and chief human resources officer, successfully led his team in January to establish flexible leave time. In addition to vacation leave, employees now have eight additional hours of paid time off that can be used at any time for any reason.

Latsko acknowledged the following team members for advancing this initiative:

• Derrick Brewer, assistant director, Workday operations, IT focus, University Business Services
• Audrey Dumouchel-Jones, assistant vice president, talent management, Office of Human Resources
• Jarred Elias, director, special projects, Office of Human Resources
• Jordan Hayden, business analyst senior, Workday payroll and time, University Business Services
• Jillian McManus, assistant vice president, total rewards and wellbeing, Office of Human Resources
• Geraldine Peterson, senior financial services manager, Financial Services
• Aimee Riche, associate director, Financial Services
• Joanna Surveyor, manager benefits administration, program design and compliance, Office of Human Resources

The flexible leave time initiative coincided with one of ASU’s most significant system shifts — the transition to Workday.

On Dec. 23, 2024, Workday, the human resources management system, launched universitywide to support a more agile and data-driven HR future.

This project required massive efforts from an estimated 80 to 100 employees across the university, and the $48 million budget ensured modernized processes, improved efficiency and greater transparency in managing ASU’s workforce.

The following employees were recognized for their work in contributing to the launch:

• Derrick Brewer, assistant director, Workday operations, IT focus, University Business Services
• Nathan Cushing, communications specialist, Business and Finance Communications Group, Business and Finance Support Services
• Alma Douglas, project manager senior, Organizational Performance Office, Business and Finance Support Services
• Sharon Grant, assistant director, Workday organizational and change management and training, University Business Services
• Edalia Kousari, executive director, Workday, University Business Services
• James Nichols, senior director, Business and Finance Information Technology
• Amanda Noble, associate director, Workday management and operations, University Business Services
• Joey Smoll, business analyst senior, Workday financial innovation and solutions, University Business Services
• Angelique Soenarie Blair, project manager senior, Organizational Performance Office, Business and Finance Support Services
• Janna Tobin, Workday training specialist, Workday change management and training, University Business Services
• Carol Utton, assistant director, Workday operations, IT focus, University Business Services

This year, ASU also prioritized sustainability as a core part of the student experience.

University Sustainability Practices (USP) is working toward a 2025 goal to expand collaboration with Academic Enterprise and Learning Enterprise, ensuring that sustainable products, practices and technologies are woven into academic programs across the university.

Through the diligence of University Sustainability Practices, ASU currently holds a platinum rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Reporting System of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, along with multiple other sustainability honors.

Rudy Bellavia, vice president of University Business Services, recognized Alex Davis and Susan Norton, USP assistant directors, for their contributions to sustainability across the university.

The university’s excellence in sustainability was matched by an equally ambitious effort to transform ASU’s food service.

Culminating in one of the nation's largest food service requests for proposal, ASU signed a landmark deal with Aramark earlier this year. Aramark now provides food service for university catering, campus dining, athletic facility services and more.

This partnership underscores ASU’s commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible and sustainable food options to its community while leveraging university resources to provide the best experience possible.

Bellavia also recognized the following ASU staff for their teamwork in procuring the Aramark partnership:

• Belinda Biggs, manager, supply chain sourcing strategy, Supply Chain, University Business Services
• Christin Burek, assistant vice president and deputy CPO, Supply Chain, University Business Services
• Marc Campbell, assistant vice president and deputy chief sustainability officer, University Sustainability Practices
• Tyler French, assistant vice president, Auxiliary Business Services
• Liz Gideon, manager, supply chain contracts, Supply Chain, University Business Services
• Angelica Heras, special projects coordinator, Parking and Transportation Services and Auxiliaries leadership, University Business Services
• Jan Holland-Malcom, assistant director, strategic partnerships, Auxiliary Business Services
• Matthew Keller, director, Auxiliary Business Services
• Meryl Krich, manager, strategic partnerships, University Business Services
• Mallika Paluri, senior director, Supply Chain leadership, University Business Services
• Danielle Van Vleet, assistant director, Supply Chain programs, University Business Services

The Office of Business and Finance leadership meeting highlighted the dedication of employees whose efforts are strengthening ASU through enhanced employee well-being, innovative technology projects, and sustainability initiatives across academics and campus services. Together, these contributions reflect the university’s commitment to institutional excellence.

In his closing remarks, Morgan R. Olsen, executive vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer, expressed gratitude to all Business and Finance employees for driving ASU’s success and advancing its mission through innovation and collaboration.