Latanya S. Buckner

• Promoted within 10 months based on demonstrated leadership and strategic financial oversight of a $32 million annual budget supporting professional education initiatives across a complex academic unit.
• Led strategic financial planning, forecasting, and budgeting processes in alignment with institutional policies and goals.
• Supervised and developed a team of financial and administrative professionals, managing performance evaluations, goal setting, training, and compensation recommendations.
• Oversaw accounting, reporting, and compliance functions, including the management of research fund accounting and sponsored project financials.
• Produced and presented recurring and ad hoc financial analyses to inform executive-level decision-making.
• Collaborate with appropriate internal and external administrative offices to ensure that required compliance with Institute policies and procedures are followed.
• Provide financial consultation to senior leadership and faculty on the financial implications of programmatic initiatives and operational planning.
• Advised senior management with strategic financial planning
• Managed the maintenance and reconciliation of unit accounts, streamlining reporting processes to enhance transparency and efficiency.
• Oversee the development of all types of the department/unit budgets. Oversee processes for the management of all active budget accounts. Provide oversight for the appropriate expenditure of funds.
• Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Facilitated stakeholder meetings to ensure alignment on strategic priorities and project outcomes.
• Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the organization.
• Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.

• Selected and challenged with optimizing the effectiveness of financial and information technology teams in supporting the needs of the school following the absence of a dedicated leader for 18 months. Manage, train, develop, and supervise five financial and two information technology direct reports.
• Direct the management of the school's 7 million state budget and 12 million dollar sponsored research awards.
• Provide comprehensive analysis and reporting of departmental budgets. Advise the chair and department administration on implementing strategies to maintain and improve fiscal conditions and strengthen capacity for growth.
• Recruited staff, undergraduate and graduate research assistants. Supervised, trained, and mentored staff on pre-award and post-award processes.
• Led cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency and streamline processes.
• Developed strategic initiatives to improve organizational performance and employee engagement.
• Collaborated with stakeholders to define objectives and align resources for projects.

• Advanced and given accountability for the interdisciplinary research institute's financial, information technology, human resources, facilities, and administrative functions. Managed staff of two managers, two support coordinators, and two machinists.
• Developed, forecasted, amended, and reported on budgets for the department supporting faculty, staff, and students.
• Managed, tracked, and reported on $3.5 million state budget and $15 million sponsored research awards.
• Held direct management responsibility for sponsored research for academic and research faculty within GTMI, including pre-award and post-award management.
• Planned, directed, and managed the human resource functions for research, staff, and graduate students.
• Served as the department's representative to the institute-level human resources and financial organizations.
• Directed space planning, allocation, and renovation of labs and offices for the Callaway Manufacturing Research building.
• Represented the Executive Director at Interdisciplinary Research Institute (IRI) Executive Director meetings to discuss research, strategies, and funding needs.
• Developed and implemented training programs for staff, improving team performance and collaboration.
• Analyzed organizational processes to identify areas for improvement, driving continuous development efforts.

Oversee the financial operations of the interdisciplinary research institute to accelerate innovation in the US manufacturing sector, enhance competitive advantage, and promote economic and environmental stability. I fulfilled the role of the department's Purchase Card (PCard) Coordinator.

• Developed and monitored annual budgets. Produced financial reports for the Executive Director.
• Created the budgets for research proposals. Tracked budgets, approved transactions, and met with academic and research faculty to conduct sponsored project reviews.
• Recruited staff and undergraduate and graduate research assistants. Supervised, trained, and mentored staff.