Princeton University has developed a structured and transparent costing model to support its shared services program, ensuring financial sustainability and equitable resource allocation across departments. This session will explore how the university designed, refined, and implemented its approach, balancing institutional priorities with operational efficiency. Attendees will gain insight into Princeton’s decision-making process, key challenges faced, and lessons learned in creating a model that accurately reflects service consumption and value. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Understand how to define cost drivers and allocate expenses in a way that aligns with institutional goals and stakeholder expectations. 
• Explore strategies for securing leadership buy-in and ensuring cross-departmental collaboration during the model development process. 
• Learn best practices for maintaining flexibility in your costing model to adapt to evolving service demands and financial realities.

Brandon Gaines

Director, Financial Support Services and Service Excellence
Princeton University

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Creating a workplace that attracts and retains top talent starts with strong internal engagement practices. By fostering a culture of transparency, recognition, and continuous development, organizations can boost employee satisfaction, drive productivity, and reduce turnover. Investing in clear communication channels, career growth opportunities, and employee well-being not only strengthens workplace morale but also translates into measurable business success. Companies that prioritize engagement see higher retention rates and a more motivated workforce, ultimately positioning themselves as an employer of choice. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Implement internal engagement strategies to enhance employee satisfaction and workplace culture. 
• Foster career growth and development opportunities to drive productivity and reduce attrition. 
• Strengthen communication and recognition practices to create a motivated, high-performing workforce.  

Navigating limited budgets is a reality for shared services teams aiming to deliver value while managing costs. This panel brings together leaders from diverse institutions to share practical strategies for maximizing resources, prioritizing initiatives, and achieving measurable results despite financial constraints. Attendees will gain actionable insights into creative cost-saving measures, leveraging technology for efficiency, and fostering collaboration to stretch resources further. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Identify cost-saving strategies that enhance efficiency without compromising service quality. 
• Leverage technology and collaboration to optimize resources and reduce operational expenses. 
• Prioritize high-impact initiatives to ensure alignment with institutional goals and measurable outcomes. 

Chase Loper

Director Shared Services
Duquesne University

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Susan Nasher

Director of Budget | Finance | Academic Resource Analysis
University of Colorado Boulder

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As the landscape of shared services continues to evolve, adopting a proactive approach to the future of work is essential for shared services. This panel discussion brings together thought leaders to explore emerging trends, workforce expectations, and technological advancements that will shape the next generation of work environments. Attendees will gain insights into strategies for fostering adaptability, enhancing employee engagement, and preparing their institutions to thrive in an ever-changing landscape. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Highlight key trends shaping the future of work in and how they impact shared services operations. 
• Learn strategies for creating a flexible work environment that meets the evolving needs of both employees and institutional goals. 
• Explore best practices for implementing proactive workforce planning and development initiatives that enhance organizational resilience. 

Achieving more with existing talent requires a strategic approach to skills alignment. This session explores how to reframe talent deployment through the lens of the "Lift-and-Shift" model, where employees adapt on the fly. Attendees will learn how to identify hidden skills within their teams, align them with organizational priorities, and meet stakeholder demands with precision. Gain the tools to maximize human potential and transform your workforce into a dynamic engine for growth. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Discover methods to assess, categorize, and leverage employee skill sets. 
• Learn strategies to shift from reactive deployment to proactive skill discovery. 
• Explore best practices for balancing stakeholder demands with internal talent development. 

Chase Loper

Director Shared Services
Duquesne University

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A strong enterprise risk management framework is essential for navigating today’s complex business landscape. By integrating risk assessment and mitigation strategies into decision-making, organizations can proactively address vulnerabilities and drive operational stability and value back to the institution. This session will explore how shared services can identify opportunities to enhance risk controls and maximize value. Learn where to double down on risk-informed decision-making to strengthen resilience, reduce exposure, and turn risk management into a strategic advantage. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Implement enterprise risk management strategies to enhance stability and resilience. 
• Leverage risk-informed decision-making to mitigate contract and operational risks. 
• Identify key risk areas in shared services and uncover opportunities for proactive management. 

Christine Packard

Assistant Vice President, Enterprise Risk Management
University Of Massachusetts

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Data-driven decision making is essential for driving impactful change in shared services. This session will explore how institutions can leverage data analytics to inform strategic decisions, enhance service delivery, and optimize resource allocation. Participants will learn about the tools and techniques necessary for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data effectively, enabling them to make informed decisions that align with institutional goals and drive measurable outcomes.  

Key Takeaways:  

• Establish methods for creating a robust data collection framework that supports informed decision making across shared services.  
• Analyze and interpret data to identify trends and insights that can lead to strategic improvements in service delivery.  
• Explore practical examples of data-driven initiatives that have resulted in significant business impacts. 

Chera Finkbiner

Sr Director of Business Operations
University of Texas

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