Career Conversations

Hosted by NACUBO

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Episodes

Latest episode

May 2026

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EN-US

About the show

On Career Conversations, NACUBO's Christine Simone sits down with higher education professionals to discuss their personal experiences, including successes and challenges of all kinds. They'll offer career advice and insights as well as nuggets of wisdom for business professionals new to higher education.

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42 recent

May 22, 2026Episode 819 min

Curiosity, Mentors, Mission: Adeeb Mozip

Adeeb Mozip is the executive director of business operations in the Office of Enrollment Management at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich. His career began as an accounting intern at Michigan's Office of the Vice President for Research, where early mentorship and hands-on work—including multi-million-dollar reporting—revealed how finance supports an institution's core research mission. From there, Mozip moved through roles in research administration, the library system, and Wayne State University's School of Information, earning an MBA while beginning a doctorate. A pivotal chapter came at Wayne State Law School, where he helped a new dean transform the school—taking its U.S. News ranking from 105 to 58 and launching three new academic programs. He returned to the University of Michigan three and a half years ago, now leading HR, finance, budget, and facilities within enrollment management. Mozip credits a broad mentor network—from early supervisors to dissertation advisors—with shaping his leadership philosophy: that leadership means improving the way we serve people. An active NACUBO participant, he has engaged in NACUBO's Emerging Leaders program and chairs CACUBO's conference program committee, most recently receiving the President's Award. His advice to listeners: say yes to projects outside your job description, think beyond your functional area, and take advantage of higher education as a place of continuous learning. LINKS NACUBO Emerging Leaders Program CACUBO Adeeb Mozip on LinkedIn Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief

May 8, 2026Episode 732 min

From Public Sector to Public Impact: Sean Clayton

Building a Higher Ed Career Through Reinvention Sean Clayton, associate vice president for business services and controller at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) in Salt Lake City, Utah, took a non-traditional path to higher education. After co-founding and selling a housewares company, Clayton worked briefly in private equity before the recession revealed a hard truth: entrepreneurial experience alone couldn't land him a comparable role without a degree. He returned to school in his late 30s, completed a bachelor's and a master's in taxation, and landed an internship with the Utah State Auditor's Office—his first real exposure to higher ed. Clayton joined SLCC in 2021 after auditing the institution and connecting with its team. Drawing on his operations background, he tackled food service auxiliaries that had been losing $500,000 annually, ultimately replacing a costly vendor with local restaurants, bringing auxiliaries into the black while better serving a diverse student population. He has since risen to his current role and now sits on SLCC's Cabinet Team, bringing a finance and strategy lens to institution-wide decisions. A 360 evaluation early in his business career forced a reckoning with an authoritarian leadership style he hadn't recognized in himself. The experience prompted emotional intelligence training and a lasting shift toward collaboration—one later affirmed through a second 360 during NACUBO's Emerging Leaders program. His advice to listeners: be innovative, let your people fail, and make empathy a practice. Links Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief

January 30, 2026Episode 619 min

Puzzles, Pathways, Progress: Jodi Kessler

Higher Ed Tax Expert Shares Career Journey from Criminal Law to Global Operations Jodi Kessler, director of tax and global operations at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, discovered her passion for tax law while studying criminal law at Ohio State University. After taking a tax class that presented the field as an engaging puzzle with clear rules and strategic planning opportunities, she shifted her focus and began her higher education career at Ohio State in 2008, later moving to Harvard before settling at MIT. At MIT, Kessler's role has expanded significantly beyond traditional tax work to encompass investment analysis, unrelated business income tax, sales tax, and most recently, global operations. She leads evaluations of international employee placement and compliance, working closely with departments across campus to reduce institutional risk while supporting MIT's mission. Her collaborative approach emphasizes building relationships early and providing high-level customer service to break down institutional silos. Networking through NACUBO has been instrumental in Kessler's professional development, particularly during major transitions like implementing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. She emphasizes that today's frequent tax rule changes create ongoing opportunities for newcomers to develop expertise, noting that success comes from understanding how to process changes, interpret legislation, and work with peer institutions. Through her leadership, Kessler aims to leave a legacy of cross-departmental collaboration that ensures all voices are heard while maintaining compliance and supporting institutional goals. Links Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief

January 16, 2026Episode 537 min

Seizing Opportunities, Driving Growth: Travis Ball

Building a Higher Ed Business Career from the Ground Up Travis Ball, executive director of business services and chief procurement officer at East Texas A&M University in Commerce, Texas, shares his progression from working at a local feed store to becoming a strategic leader in higher education operations. Through a chance phone call offering a purchasing position at the Texas Department of Transportation, Ball discovered his career path and eventually transitioned to higher education in 2005. Over his 20-year tenure at East Texas A&M, Ball has expanded beyond procurement to oversee auxiliaries, real estate, logistics, and transportation while serving in leadership roles with national professional associations. His experience includes guiding the institution through major transitions, including a November 2024 name change and the challenges of COVID-19, while maintaining focus on strategic relationships and operational excellence. Ball, who also serves as an adjunct instructor and K-12 board trustee, emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and seizing opportunities regardless of age or background. His 9-year journey to complete his bachelor's degree while working full time serves as an inspiration for nontraditional students, demonstrating that persistence and education create lasting career impact. Links Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief

October 31, 2025Episode 420 min

From Monologues to Metrics: Venessa Ortega

In this episode of Career Conversations, Christine Simone talks with Venessa Ortega, director of campus budget administration at the University of Colorado at Boulder (Boulder, CO). Ortega shares her unique career journey from professional theater in Chicago to higher education finance, beginning with a BFA in Theater and six years as a professional actress before discovering an unexpected passion for Excel while working in an administrative role. This interest led her to pursue a master's degree in accounting and eventually join the University of Colorado at Boulder's budget office, where she has served for nearly a decade. Throughout the conversation, Ortega discusses how her theater background enhanced her higher education career, particularly in understanding interpersonal dynamics and reading room situations. She emphasizes how skills from Commedia dell'Arte help her navigate power dynamics in professional settings, while her experience during COVID-19 budget cuts taught valuable lessons about transparent leadership and building trust through difficult conversations. The discussion explores professional development strategies, with Ortega emphasizing the importance of curiosity in career growth. She encourages understanding the broader context behind financial decisions in higher education and credits NACUBO's resources for ongoing learning opportunities. Her story demonstrates how diverse professional experiences can enhance leadership in higher education administration, with key advice focusing on developing deep understanding beyond immediate tasks and building authentic relationships. Links Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief

October 17, 2025Episode 328 min

Building System-Wide Impact: Joe Sobieralski

Building a Legacy Through Versatility and Purpose Joe Sobieralski, senior associate vice president for administration and business affairs and university treasurer at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC, shares his journey from athletics to finance leadership. In this episode, host Christine Simone explores how intentional career moves and mentorship shaped Sobieralski's path in higher education business. The episode explores key themes including transitioning from athletics administration to university finance, the value of versatility in higher education leadership, and the importance of alignment between personal values and institutional mission. Starting in athletics at the University of South Carolina, Sobieralski's career path led him through roles as business manager at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and vice chancellor and CFO at USC Aiken before returning to USC's flagship campus. Throughout the conversation, Sobieralski emphasizes how lateral moves expanded his expertise and understanding of higher education operations. He shares insights on maintaining connections across institutional systems, understanding personal brand in career decisions, and creating institutional legacy through daily dedication to improvement and innovation. Links Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief

October 3, 2025Episode 227 min

Student Service Innovation: Chris Foster

From First-Gen to Financial Leader: Chris Foster's Journey Chris Foster, associate vice president of student accounting and integrated student services at the University of North Texas in Denton, shares his path from being a first-generation college student to leading transformative student services initiatives. His story begins with a pivotal moment in a Texas Tech University hallway, where a kind financial aid staff member helped chart his college path—an experience he carries with him through his guiding principle that "Some stranger somewhere remembers you because you were kind to them." At UNT, Foster has spent 17 years reshaping student financial services, most notably through the creation of UNT One Stop—a comprehensive service center that breaks down traditional departmental silos to provide seamless support for students and their families. This innovative approach combines admissions, financial aid, student accounts and other essential services into one unified experience, reflecting Foster's commitment to simplifying the student journey. Drawing from his personal experience as a work-study student who learned higher education finance from the ground up, Foster champions a leadership philosophy centered on understanding "the why" behind processes and empowering team members at all levels to contribute solutions. His approach emphasizes relationship building across departments and the importance of taking chances on people, much like the mentors who shaped his own career path in higher education. Links Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief

September 19, 2025Episode 140 min

Authentic Financial Transformation: Stephanie Mayer

Finding Your Authentic Path in Higher Education Finance On this episode of Career Conversations, NACUBO director of leadership development Christine Simone talks with Stephanie Mayer, budget analyst at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey. After eight years in corporate utility finance at PSENG, Mayer discovered her calling through teaching finance as an adjunct professor, which led her to pursue both an MBA and Ph.D. while maintaining her corporate role. This parallel path eventually guided her to full-time higher education finance, where she combined her quantitative expertise with qualitative storytelling. In her current role, Mayer manages budgets across multiple academic units, helping translate financial data into meaningful narratives for different departments—from business to arts programs. She shares insights on navigating institutional changes, including mergers and new college creation, while maintaining strategic financial planning. Her experience demonstrates how understanding both faculty and administrative perspectives enhances budget management in higher education, particularly in hybrid work environments. The conversation explores important themes for finance professionals considering similar transitions, including overcoming imposter syndrome, finding workplace culture fit, and building authentic relationships in academic settings. Through candid discussion of her professional journey, Mayer provides valuable insights for those seeking more meaningful work environments where they can fully utilize both their technical skills, and personalities. She emphasizes that age should not limit career advancement and encourages professionals to pursue opportunities that align with their authentic selves. Links Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief

May 9, 2025Episode 1717 min

Building Strategic Bridges: Derrick Sawyer

Derrick Sawyer's 20-year journey in higher education business and finance traces back to an entrepreneurial start at Delaware State University, where he managed a student-run food business and later the campus newspaper's finances. Currently serving as associate vice president of budgets, business services and risk management at Community College of Philadelphia, his path led through key roles at Temple University and Drexel University before landing in his current position. Sawyer offers unique insights from his experience across diverse institution types, from an HBCU to major research universities and now a community college. His leadership philosophy has evolved from a purely transactional approach to one centered on servant leadership and emotional intelligence. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of calculated risk-taking, continuous learning through professional associations, and the power of strong mentorship relationships. Most compelling is Sawyer's perspective on higher education leadership: success isn't just about strategy and performance metrics, but about building meaningful connections across all levels of an institution. His commitment to innovation while maintaining student success at the forefront has shaped his approach to fiscal management and operational excellence. The episode offers valuable insights for professionals at any stage of their higher education career, particularly those interested in business operations, finance, and institutional leadership. Links Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief

April 25, 2025Episode 1615 min

Building Financial Excellence: Meyroodjy Delva

As senior director of technical accounting and reporting at Howard University in Washington, DC, Meyroodjy Delva discovered his passion for accounting in high school through a business computer class. Now leading financial operations at his alma mater, Delva shares his journey from Big Four accounting to higher education leadership. In this episode, Delva discusses his transition from public accounting at KPMG to higher education during COVID-19, and how he built high-performing financial teams at Howard. He shares insights on navigating major institutional challenges including ERP implementation and cybersecurity incidents, while developing his leadership philosophy across different organizational cultures. Delva also reflects on creating a lasting legacy of financial excellence at Howard University. "What I was looking for is really problem solvers, like really smart people that don't run away from complex problems," says Delva, highlighting his approach to team building. His career insights emphasize embracing challenging opportunities despite setbacks, building strategic networks, adapting leadership style to institutional culture, handling professional feedback constructively, and maintaining focus on continuous process improvement. Links Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! CBO Speaks NACUBO in Brief