Dear Siena Community,
I am thrilled to announce that Yvonne Berry, CPA, MBA, will join Siena College as Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration starting Monday February 3. She will have the opportunity to work alongside MJ Strunk for the next two weeks before MJ’s retirement, ensuring a smooth transition in this critical role.
Yvonne is an accomplished financial and administrative leader with a distinguished career in Higher Education spanning more than three decades. With extensive expertise in budgeting, financial operations, strategic planning, and risk management, she is an ideal fit to guide Siena through this important transition.
We identified Yvonne through The Registry, the nation’s premier firm for interim Higher Education leadership placements, known for connecting institutions with experienced, highly qualified professionals. Siena is fortunate to have her stepping into this critical role at such an important time.
Yvonne has built a career of delivering strong financial stewardship and operational excellence across a diverse range of institutions. Most recently, as Interim Senior Vice President for Finance & Administration at Haverford College, she led major transitions in investment management, budget planning, and campus operations. She has also held interim leadership roles at Elmhurst University, California Institute of the Arts, The Brookings Institution, and Carroll University, where she tackled financial challenges, implemented new policies, and strengthened institutional finances.
Prior to her interim roles, Yvonne served as Vice President and CFO at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, where she developed a multi-year financial model, secured major grants, and led cross-campus initiatives to improve financial operations. Earlier in her career, she held leadership positions at the University of New Hampshire School of Law, Rollins College, and Florida State University, focusing on budgeting, investment strategy, and financial planning.
Beyond her technical expertise, Yvonne is known for fostering a culture of stewardship, collaboration, and continuous improvement. She understands the critical balance between financial sustainability and mission-driven decision-making, making her an excellent addition to our leadership team.
Please join me in welcoming Yvonne to Siena! We are excited to have her in our community and look forward to her contributions as we continue to strengthen the College’s financial position and advance our mission.
Peace and all good,
Chuck