Winthrop University, a top ranked public, comprehensive, masters-level university, seeks a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative leader to serve as Vice President for Finance and Business Affairs/Chief Financial Officer. The Vice President for Finance and Business Affairs/CFO reports directly to the President and serves on the President’s Cabinet.
Below are the three finalists for the position. Read more about them, along with their scheduled times to be on campus for public presentations, meet and greet sessions, and conversations with faculty, staff, administrators and students.
John Wilkinson
John Wilkinson
John Wilkinson has over two decades of financial executive leadership, primarily in the K-12 and higher education sectors. With an M.B.A. in accounting from Indiana Wesleyan University and a B.A. in history from Miami University, he has held key roles such as chief financial officer and vice president at institutions like Guilford College, Tusculum University and Mitchell Community College. Before transitioning to higher education, Wilkinson was the CFO at two Ohio K-12 school districts. His earlier career includes six years in the hospitality industry, where he advanced from maintenance supervisor to director of operations with several large hotel chains. His journey in finance began when he was 16, managing the checkbook and ledger of his father’s electrical contracting business, setting the stage for his career in accounting and finance. He is known for his strategic financial planning, operational leadership and building collaborative teams that drive sustainable growth. He is also a champion of diversity and inclusion, ensuring these principles are central to his leadership.
Visit Dates: Oct. 13-14, 2024
Public Presentation: Monday, Oct. 14 – 2:30-3:15 p.m. – Whitton Auditorium – Carroll Hall
Campus Community Meet and Greet: Monday, Oct. 14 – 3:15-3:45 p.m. – Carroll Hall Lobby
Teare Brewington
Teare Brewington
Teare Brewington is an accomplished accounting and finance professional with over 30 years of experience, focusing on higher education and nonprofit organizations (i.e., government, hospitals and private foundations). Brewington has extensive leadership experience in higher education, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, as well as building relationships and an atmosphere of trust and respect with stakeholders. She has a proven track record of successfully working with presidents and governing boards, creating and developing dynamic and diverse teams, working collaboratively to eliminate cross-departmental barriers, increasing internal control efficiencies, improving audit processes to reduce time and costs, balancing university budgets, and identifying significant cost savings and revenue sources. She also has a verifiable history of using innovative thinking to turn around institutions with financial troubles and problems with accreditation bodies.
Visit Dates: Oct. 14-15, 2024
Public Presentation: Tuesday, Oct. 15 – 2:30-3:15 p.m. – Dina’s Place
Campus Community Meet and Greet: Tuesday, Oct. 15 – 3:15-3:45 p.m. – DiGs Lobby
Ute Shaw
Ute Shaw
Shaw is an accomplished leader in business, finance and research operations, currently serving as the senior director at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. With a master’s in public administration focusing on public and nonprofit finance from George Mason University, she brings nearly two decades of experience in strategic planning, budget management and human resource oversight. She is fluent in German and is a certified research administrator. In her role at UCLA, Shaw focuses on operational and financial matters, overseeing an annual budget of approximately $45 million. She has successfully fostered collaborations across the university system, ensuring the effective administration of research grants, and initiating strategic investments to enhance cancer research initiatives. Previously, Shaw held several key positions at George Mason University, including chief business officer for the College of Science, where she managed a $95 million budget and implemented many innovative financial strategies. Moreover, her commitment to diversity and inclusion led to the creation of two chief diversity officer roles within the college. Shaw has a proven track record of improving processes, enhancing research productivity and building high-performing teams dedicated to exceptional service.
Visit Dates: Oct. 15-16, 2024
Public Presentation: Wednesday, Oct. 16 – 2:30-3:15 p.m. – Dina’s Place
Campus Community Meet and Greet: Wednesday, Oct. 16 – 3:15-3:45 p.m. – DiGs Lobby
