Davina Desnoes
Ithaca,New York
Summary
Seasoned thought leader with over 25 years of results-oriented experience in managing financial operations and alignment of resources to maximize strategic goals and business processes. Culturally-sensitive and ethical professional with demonstrated success in developing and implementing optimized solutions. Versatile leader recognized for driving results in a collaborative, inclusive manner while leading service-oriented operations that support institutional growth and development. Collaborative and forward-thinking with excellent policy implementation, strategic planning and problem-solving abilities. Proficient in engaging stakeholders to build consensus and promote needed change. Driven to pursue challenges, eliminate inefficiencies to streamline operations in support of long-term business goals. Strong background building partnerships and leveraging resources to accomplish ambitious objectives.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Position Planning Advisor
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
08.2023 - Current
- Partnering with the Division of Human Resources to define a structure for position management reporting by combining data from human resources, budget and financial systems to assist in strategic decision making and management for $1.3B in salary budget.
- Collaborate with colleges/units to better understand strategic hiring needs managed against current and future funding sources.
- Read, analyze, and interpret various internal documents and reports to create an automated process to track and report on salary budgets, YTD actuals and trends for filled and vacant positions by college/unit, fund source and job family.
- Work with other partners across the University and in within the Division of Budget and Planning to project and explain growth of administrative positions and prepare salary cost in support of the annual budget planning processes.
Assistant Vice President
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
08.2013 - 07.2023
- Continuous management, development and oversight of $2B operating budget and $1M capital budget including $450M administrative support cost structure.
- Oversight of University Budget Office and provided operational leadership in support of institutional strategic plans, budget operations, various budget models and reporting infrastructure.
- Monitored daily operating activities; tracked budget variances and created a better understanding of the impact of operational decisions in collaboration with academic and administrative unit financial leaders to better align, explain and represent their needs in the overall university budget and budget development process.
- Connected impact of capital, space, risk management, insurance, accounting, cash management, institutional research and planning along with new programs and model changes to ensure alignment between operational objectives, budget, resource capacity and impact on financial statements.
- Increased knowledge, understanding and use of institutional data and mission of departments/units/offices for use in analysis and decision-making for various activities including study abroad programs, financial aid and strategic priorities of colleges.
- Provided technical guidance regarding operations-related issues, including various ERP systems; consulted with team members on best practices for meeting deadlines or resolving conflicts.
- Evaluated existing procedures to identify areas of improvement; developed action plans to streamline workflow processes while ensuring compliance standards were being met.
- Implemented best practices to strengthen internal systems and spearhead proactive change that created a practice of continuous improvement and innovation in systems, reports and tools.
- Researched underlying issues, regulatory compliance status and processes to resolve complex business issues and recommend strategic corrective actions.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws and regulations governing operations activities at local, state, federal levels; worked closely with legal counsel where necessary.
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocol.
- Cultivated and maintained positive working relationships with employees, executives and other stakeholders.
- Served as Chief Budget Officer representing Cornell on budget and related matters with the State University of New York (SUNY).
University Budget Director
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
01.2011 - 07.2013
- Planned, developed and managed monthly, quarterly and annual budgets and produced detailed report that assessed performance against budgets and variance analysis for senior management review.
- Ensured compliance with organizational policies related to budgeting and finance.
- Assisted in the development of long-term financial strategies for university initiatives.
- Developed forecasting models to predict future trends in revenues and expenditures.
- Coordinated with administrative units in order to develop accurate estimates of expenses and income projections.
- Led college and unit budget officers monthly meetings to discuss budget strategies, constraints, challenges and operational efficiencies.
- Maintained current understanding of fiscal policy changes for the University as well as SUNY and advised on expected impacts and/or opportunities.
Director of Financial Allocation and Account Mgmt
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
06.2006 - 12.2010
- Provided leadership, supervision and guidance for all aspects of the annual budget and position management including working with the SUNY Budget Office.
- Provided guidance and oversight to staff as they assisted departments/units with identifying efficiencies of operating in an all funds environment.
- Assisted in the preparation of university financial statements for research funds.
Associate Director/Director Grants & Contracts
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
04.2001 - 05.2006
- Oversaw day-to-day operations of sponsored accounting, including personnel management, program development, interpretation of appropriate guidelines, institutional practices and audit requirements.
- Assisted with the research and preparation of data needed to assist faculty, departments and administrators with decisions related to and in support of sponsored research activity.
- Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
Staff Associate
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
10.1997 - 03.2001
- Supported administrative functions for the Office of the Provost for personal and resource allocation decisions.
- Assisted with coordination and implementation of salary increases in conjunction with negotiated union contracts for faculty, professional and administrative staff.
- Management use and restrictions of endowed funds.
Assistant to the Chair
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
08.1995 - 09.1997
- Administered and maintained and audited all departmental activity as well as income and expenditures for the for the Music Department.
Accounting Staff
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
09.1991 - 08.1995
- Prepared monthly and yearly budget reports for faculty, department and administrative offices for the School of Management and audited reports for accuracy.
Education
Masters of Education - Educational Administration And Higher Education
University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NYBachelor of Science - Business Administration And Management
University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NYSkills
- Budget and Operations Management
- Continuous Innovation and Change Management
- Critical Thinking
- Financial Management
- Forecasting/Long Range Planning
- Risk Management
- Staff Development
- Strategic Planning
Affiliations
- National Association of College University Business Officers (NACUBO) - also participate in annual conference proposal reviews.
- Network for Change and Continuous Innovation (NCCI): served as board member, former chair and co-chair of membership and outreach committee, treasurer and conference planning committee. Current: membership and outreach and education committee. Also served as a facilitator for Professional Development certificate - Information Strategy for Institutional Improvement.
- Hangar Theater: board member, chair of finance committee
- Kendal of Ithaca: trustee, vice chair, chair of finance committee, member of HR and philanthropy committee.
- Walking on Waters Production: board member
Certification
- Accounting and Finance - Cornell University
- Administrative Management, Eastern Association of College and University Business Officers (EACUBO)
- Harold D. Craft Leadership Program, Cornell University
- NCCI-Nuventive Professional Development Certificate - Information Strategy for Institutional Improvement
Timeline
Senior Position Planning Advisor
Cornell University
08.2023 - Current
Assistant Vice President
Cornell University
08.2013 - 07.2023
University Budget Director
Cornell University
01.2011 - 07.2013
Director of Financial Allocation and Account Mgmt
University at Buffalo
06.2006 - 12.2010
Associate Director/Director Grants & Contracts
University at Buffalo
04.2001 - 05.2006
Staff Associate
University at Buffalo
10.1997 - 03.2001
Assistant to the Chair
University at Buffalo
08.1995 - 09.1997
Accounting Staff
University at Buffalo
09.1991 - 08.1995
Masters of Education - Educational Administration And Higher Education
University At Buffalo
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration And Management
University At Buffalo