Susan Collins Email & Phone Number

Moraga, Ca

Moraga, Ca, Us

Chicago, Il, Us

Chicago, Illinois, Us

Responsible for the annual and long-range financial operations of $200+ million educational institution consisting of five campuses located in the Chicago metropolitan area plus 40 corporate and public delivery sites and global online delivery, enrollment in excess of 7,000 students.Finance* Managed investment portfolio in excess of $200 million. Prepared monthly and annual financial reports for Institution, provided transparency in financial reporting.Presented financial results to Board of Directors, five times per year. Prepared and implemented long-range financial plans for Institution Participated in writing 5-year strategic plan evaluating entire operating budget including Tuition, Room & Board, Vendor Contracts, Grants, Sponsorships, and Endowments* Issued $30M in tax-exempt bonds, July 2009, to support facilities plans; refinanced $100M in tax-exemptbonds and issued $50M in 2006.* Renegotiated private equity investment obtaining $5M current payment. OperationsFinancial management of $180M annual operating budget. Supervised and Managed team of 55 employees across Accounting, Budget, Grants, Contracts, Institutional Research, Treasury, Purchasing, and Payroll departments.* Directed process for establishing preferred vendor relationships. Directed implementation of Banner ERP, a comprehensive computer information system that contains information on courses, students, faculty, staff, and finance.* Worked with Board to establish Finance and Audit & Compliance Committees.Facility ManagementParticipated in facilities renovation planning for 128 acre main campus, a master plan of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesManaged vendor selection process, contract negations, and evaluated lease opportunities in conjunction with legal team.Supervised real estate consultants, rental leases and managed vendor negotiations for $5M lease.

Upon receipt of a $150+ Million gift, the Poetry Foundation was established in 2003 as a 501(c)(3) organizationand one of the largest literary foundations in the world. Worked closely with Foundation President to establish sound business policies and practices, issued 5-year strategic plan for this start-up organization. Worked with Board Finance Committee, established investment policy, hired investment advisors and managers. Established budget and accounting policies, systems and financial reporting for Non Profit organization. Supervised preparation of and submitted annual financial information about the Foundation's assets, investments, expenses, and prizes awarded for the year including; 990-PF, Illinois Charitable Annual Report (AG 990-IL) and Audited Financial Reports Aided President with Board communication and organization.

Chicago, Il, Us

Led the financial operations of the largest Catholic university in the country, a $350 million not-for-profit highereducation institution that enrolled over 23,000 students and employed over 2,000 full time faculty and staff.Operational responsibilities included the offices of Controller, Treasurer, Internal Audit, Financial Systems andFinancial Planning and Budgeting. University liaison to Finance and Audit Committees of the Board of Trustees,as well as Investment Subcommittee. Completed four successful years with an operating surplus in excess of budgeted amounts. Managed annual investment returns of 9.5% over five years while endowment increased 84%.Directed the annual budget preparation, the integration of strategic and financial plans, through a twelve-member committee.Prepared and implemented long-range financial plans to enable the strategic plan. Directed successful Y2K compliance efforts for mainframe systems.Directed PeopleSoft ERP implementation, including human resources financial and student modules.Implementation was on time and on budget, with fewer than 50 code modifications due to process reengineering.Initiated delivery of internal financial reports and payment of student accounts receivable via the web.Coordinated University Emergency Response Plan and Disaster Recovery Plan.Coordinated university-wide risk assessment process.Coordinated $30 million of off-balance-sheet financing for dormitory construction.Supervised a staff of 75 full time employees.

Chicago, Il, Us

Responsible for general accounting, benefits & compensation, grant and contract accounting, accounts payable, financial planningand budgeting, payroll, purchasing, and fixed asset management.* Streamlined purchasing procedures through the institution of a procurement card system, resulting in purchasing department direct savings of $60,000, while improving customer satisfaction.* Designed a financial planning model that is integral to planning initiatives.* Reduced the cost of life and disability insurance by 25%, while improving the coverage for employees. Initiated a total review of the benefits program, in conjunction with an internal benefits committee and the Board Compensation Committee. Review resulted in adoption of PPO and mail order prescription services, controlling the growth of benefit expenses.* Initiated web-based budgeting, interactive procurement and payment forms, and various other web-based applications. Director of Treasury Services 1987Managed the daily cash position of the university, maintained banking relationships and coordinated investment activities.

Chicago, Il, Us

Managed general accounting and grant and contract accounting.

Managed the general accounting of a $60 million metal stamping company.

Participated in financial and operational audits of various manufacturing divisions.

Primary areas of concentration were manufacturing, banking and higher education.

Masters, Business Administration, Finance

Bachelor Of Arts, Accounting