"As supervisors it can be both challenging and rewarding to lead teams. Research shows that the care and commitment that we all take in managing staff is absolutely critical to the success and well-being of our employees and the institution. For some time, I’ve been envisioning a program that could support and strengthen the skills of VPFA supervisors to manage the complex challenges of leadership across a wide variety of operational areas. I’m excited to share that vision has come to fruition. The VPFA Leadership Excellence and Development Series (LEADS) has been developed as an investment in our supervisory staff to help each of us thrive in our roles as team leaders."
Jamie Moffitt, Senior VPFA and CFO
Training Content
The pilot cohort of LEADS was held January-June 2023, and the fifth cohort of supervisors will start a new round of training in January 2025, meeting monthly through June 2025.
VPFA LEADS was designed with three areas of focus:
- Soft skill development such as effective communication, engagement, and conflict resolution,
- Technical skill development in areas such as labor relations, including information about UO-specific labor contracts, that supervisors need to be effective in their roles, and
- Networking opportunities for supervisors across different departments.
Each cohort is guided through seven skill-development sessions over the course of six months. The content areas are as follows:
january 2025 | Half-day sessions (monthly: february through june 2025) |
|---|---|
Half day: Orientation to VPFA LEADS Half day: Effective Communication Full day: Situational Leadership Essentials | Employee Engagement |
Training Dates for January - June 2025
All sessions are scheduled as in-person training--there are no remote participation options at this point. Full-day sessions will include breakfast and lunch. Half-day sessions will include breakfast. These are the dates for the July-December 2024 LEADS sessions--it is unlikely but possible that these dates will change.
- Wednesday, January 22: 8:30am-4:30pm
- Thursday, January 23: 8:30am-5pm
- Wednesday, February 12: 8:30am-1pm
- Wednesday, March 12: 8:30am-1pm
- Wednesday, April 9: 8:30am-1pm
- Wednesday, May 14: 8:30am-1pm
- Wednesday, June 11: 8:30am-1pm
Frequently Asked Questions
Which VPFA (Finance and Administration) supervisors are required to participate in the LEADS training?
Content is designed to be interactive and valuable for supervisors in every stage of their career, from emerging managers to seasoned leaders. VPFA LEADS will will continue to be offered twice yearly to allow all VPFA supervisors an opportunity to participate. See the VPFA org chart to understand more about the departments that are part of the portfolio.
How much does the program cost?
There is no department cost for this program.
I am a supervisor in the VPFA portfolio. I want to participate but I am unable to attend all of the scheduled trainings. May I still sign up?
Participants are asked to commit to attendance at all sessions. If you have an unavoidable conflict with one of the sessions, please let us know. Depending on which session you are unable to attend, we may be able to offer a make-up opportunity at a later date.
Is there a remote or hybrid attendance option?
Sessions are currently being held in person. A fully remote training program will be held in the future to accommodate VPFA supervisors whose workplaces are not located on the Eugene campus and are therefore unable to attend a the training series in person.
How do I apply for the program?
Thank you for your enthusiasm. Applications for the next cohort will will open in November 2024.
Who has participated in the LEADS trainings to date?
- Administrative Services
- Alex Koleber, Business Analyst Supervisor, FASS-IT
- Cody Sterna, Warehouse Services Supervisor, FASS
- Courtney Pahl, Director, Provost's Admin Services Team (PAST)
- Dan Shepard, Financial Manager, FASS Business Operations
- Heather Nunn, Assistant Director, FASS Business Operations, Purchasing and Logistics
- Heidi Clarke, Associate Director of Finance, External Relations Admin Services (ERAS)
- Justin Porter, Director, FASS-IT
- Lisa Howard, Director, Business Operations, FASS
- Loni Spear, Contracts and Compliance Manager, External Relations Admin Services (ERAS)
- Megan DeLaney, Interim Service Team Manager
- Melissa Koval, Assistant Director, FASS Human Resources
- Serena Jaspera, Associate Director, Human Resources, Provost's Administrative Services Team
- Business Affairs
- Brooke Millett Montgomery, Travel Manager,
- Diane Huffman Carl, Accounts Payable Manager, Financial Services
- Jeff Schumacher, Director of Treasury Operations, Treasury Operations
- Kathleen Brown, Accounts Receivable Manager
- Krista Borg, Director, Student Financial Services
- Mark McCulloch, Director IT Business Affairs Information Systems
- Stuart Mellor, Financial Reporting Manager
- Budget, Financial Analysis, and Data Analytics
- Brady Nittmann, Director of Academic Budget, Budget, Financial Analytics and Data Analysis
- Claire Matese, Assistant Director, Institutional Research
- JP Monroe, Director, Institutional Research
- Campus Planning and Facilities Management
- Aaron Olsen, Senior Planner, Campus Planning
- Becca Puleo, Process Development & Outreach Coordinator, Design and Construction
- Bruce Budzik, Small Projects Manager, Capital Improvement Coordinator, Design and Construction
- David Cates, Design Manager and Staff Architect, Design and Construction
- Debbi Davis, Administrative Manger, Work Management and Administrative Support
- Emily Eng, Director, Campus Planning
- Esther Foss, Space Analyst, Campus Planning
- Jeff Madsen, Assistant Director, Engineering & Utilities Systems, Design and Construction
- Jim Cody, Director, Building Operations and Maintenance
- Justin Grishkin, Construction Services Manager, Facilities Services
- LeAnna Pitts, Assistant Director Work Control, Facilities
- Paul Langley, Associate Director of Utilities Operations, Utilities and Energy
- Rick Tabor, Associate Director of Utilities Electrical, Utilities and Energy
- Rosalee Clanton, Landscape Supervisor, Facilities Landscape
- Sarah Stoeckl, Assistant Director, Office of Sustainability
- Shaun Frasier, Plumbing and Mechanical Shop Manager, Facilities
- Stacy Breaux, Building Automation Systems Supervisor, Facilities
- Timothy Winder, Custodial Services Manager, Facilities
- Tom Shepard, Senior Associate Director of Capital Projects, Design and Construction
- Campus Services
- Adrian Cruz, Shuttle Program Manager, Transportation Services
- Alex Milshtein, Office Specialist, Transportation Services
- April Nero, Director, Print Services
- Bryne Hagstrom, Shuttle Program Manager, Transportation Services
- Dann Perry, Assistant Director, Print Services
- James McGladrey, Assistant Director Field Operations, Transportation Services
- Matthew Gross, Interim Office Supervisor, Transportation Services
- Tamara Clark, Director, Vivian Olum Child Development Center
- Human Resources
- Anne Willis, Assistant Director of Benefits
- Brittany Jayne, Assistant Director of Employee and Labor Relations
- Catherine Bonomini-Smith, Senior Associate Director, HR Operations
- Crystal Farset, Retirement Benefits Coordinator, Retirement Plans Management
- Jennifer Maynard, Employee and Labor Relations Specialist, ELR
- Jeff Groves, Executive Assistant and Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, University HR
- Kaia Rogers, Chief of Staff and Senior Director of Programs and Services
- Sue Russell, Director, HR Community of Practice
- Information Services
- Andrew Morgan, Manager of Communications Infrastructure,
- Andy Kurzhal, Manager of User Support Services
- Ben Brinkley, Director of Teaching and Learning Technology
- Chris Wiesemann, Interim Data Center Infrastructure Manager
- Cleven Mmari, Director of IT Security Compliance
- Dan Majchrzak, Director of Research Advance Computing Services (RACS)
- Derek Wormdahl, Senior Director of Solutions Development and Data Services
- Duncan Barth, Interim Director of Information Security Services
- Gary Sullivan, Senior Director, User Support Services
- Ginamarie Jones, Manager of User Support Services
- Jeff Jones, Director Digital Work Experience
- Joe Mailander, Assistant Director Network Operations
- Jon Miyake, CyberSecurity Operations Center Manager
- José A. Domínguez, Interim Chief Information Security Officer
- Katie Harsh. Manager of User Support Services
- Ken Loge, Manager USS Academic South
- Loring Hummel, Associate Director and Principal Architect
- Louie Vidmar, Critical IT Systems Mapping Specialist
- Matt Phillips, Associate Director, User Support Services
- Melodie Moore, Presentation Services Program Specialist
- Melody Riley Ralphs, ACIO Enterprise Solutions, Information Services
- Mike Glover Moresi, Knowledge Manager
- Mike Orr, USS Manager
- Rebecca Albrich, Data Center Operations Manger
- Shandon Bates, Director of Information Services and Infrastructure Technology
- Travis Shea, Business Intelligence Manager
- Tyfanie Wineriter, Manager of Software Solutions and Development
- Safety and Risk Services
- Adam Jones, Environmental Services Manager
- Ashley Dougherty, Assistant Director, Security Operations Center
- Haily Griffith, Occupational Health & Safety Manager
- Lisa Taylor, Assistant Director Risk Management and Insurance
- Molly Kennedy, Campus Relations Coordinator
- Rachel Dale, Executive Coordinator, UOPD
- Steve Stuckmeyer, Director, Environmental Health and Safety
Who do I contact if I have other questions?
If you have further questions about VPFA LEADS, contact Deborah Butler at deborahb@uoregon.edu or 541-346-3046.
