Career Conversations

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

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

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

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

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