Donna Harris, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Professional Overview
Donna Harris is an accomplished financial executive with over 15 years of experience leading financial strategy and operations for global organizations in the consumer goods and healthcare industries. As the Chief Financial Officer at Universal Technical Institute, Inc., she is responsible for driving financial performance, optimizing resource allocation, and ensuring effective risk management to support the company's growth objectives.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Chief Financial Officer at Universal Technical Institute, Inc. since December 2023, Donna oversees all aspects of the company's financial functions, including financial planning and analysis, treasury management, accounting, and reporting. She plays a crucial role in aligning financial strategies with the organization's long-term vision, ensuring the efficient use of resources and the implementation of robust financial controls. Under her leadership, the finance team has implemented new data analytics tools and streamlined reporting processes, leading to improved decision-making and increased operational efficiency.
Career Progression
Prior to her current role, Donna held several senior finance positions at leading organizations. She served as the CFO of the Ice Cream Division at Dairy Farmers of America, where she spearheaded the integration of financial systems and processes following a major acquisition. As the Head of Finance (CFO) for the US Vision Care division at Alcon, a Novartis company, she played a pivotal role in driving the growth and profitability of the business. Earlier in her career, Donna held global finance leadership roles at Nestlé S.A., including serving as the Global Finance Head for Performance Nutrition and the Vice President of Finance for the Infant Nutrition division.
Academic Background
Donna holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She has consistently demonstrated her commitment to professional development, participating in executive leadership programs and staying abreast of industry trends and best practices.
Areas of Expertise
- Financial strategy and planning
- Mergers, acquisitions, and integration
- Financial reporting and controls
- Cash flow management and treasury operations
- Financial data analytics and business intelligence
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Donna has been recognized for her ability to drive financial performance and operational improvements. At Dairy Farmers of America, she played a key role in optimizing the cost structure of the Ice Cream Division, leading to a 15% increase in profitability. During her tenure at Alcon, she successfully implemented a global financial shared services model, resulting in a 20% reduction in finance operating costs. Donna's expertise and leadership have been instrumental in enabling the organizations she has served to achieve their strategic objectives.
Conclusion
Donna Harris is a seasoned financial executive with a proven track record of driving business growth and operational excellence in the consumer goods and healthcare industries. In her current role as the Chief Financial Officer at Universal Technical Institute, Inc., she is poised to leverage her extensive experience and strategic acumen to enhance the company's financial performance and support its long-term success.
