Higher education is facing unprecedented financial pressures: affordability concerns, questions over the value of a degree, federal and state funding uncertainty and a changing athletics financial model. But the University of Utah’s financial leaders don’t see this as a time to panic—they see it as a moment for reinvention.
To fortify financial performance across the institution, increase transparency and enhance operations, the U has announced a new financial leadership structure. Under the direction of Chief Financial Officer Anthony E. Wagner, the reorganization aligns key financial functions to better support the university’s academic, research and health missions.
“Achieving Impact 2030’s vision requires that we unify and modernize our financial operations,” said Wagner. “The reorganized structure and addition of two new positions will allow us to move forward with a coordinated services model and meet our institutional goals of improved financial performance and accountability.”
The restructured leadership team includes these roles:
Chief of Staff to the Chief Financial Officer
Allison Nicholson serves as chief of staff to the chief financial officer, leading strategic initiatives, organizational planning and communication alignment across the CFO portfolio. In this role, she provides executive coordination and project oversight for the university’s financial priorities, ensuring collaboration and consistency across finance, budget and administrative functions. Nicholson brings a strong background in institutional strategy, organizational development and change management.
Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Jason Atuaia serves as deputy chief financial officer, providing enterprise-wide leadership for financial strategy and coordination. He works closely with CFO Wagner and university leadership to align institutional financial strategies, strengthen budget and reporting systems, and advance the Finance Coordinated Services Model. Atuaia has held several financial leadership roles at the university, where he has been instrumental in advancing multi-year planning, budget model reform, and data-informed decision-making.
Associate Vice President for Finance for the Academic Enterprise
Kimberly Adamson serves as associate vice president for finance for the academic enterprise, providing leadership for financial management, budget operations and resource planning across the university’s academic colleges and student service units. She brings extensive experience in higher education and research finance, with a strong record of advancing financial vitality, improving budget clarity and enhancing coordination across complex organizations.
Associate Vice President for Financial Services and University Controller
Steven Phillips has been appointed associate vice president for financial services and university controller, overseeing the university’s core financial and business service functions, including accounting, accounts payable, purchasing services, income accounting and bursar’s office, financial systems and financial training. He leads the development and implementation of financial policies, enterprise systems, and standardized business practices that strengthen transparency, consistency and efficiency across the university’s financial operations.
Senior Director of Budget and Financial Planning
Lynn Dixon has been named senior director of budget and financial planning, overseeing enterprise-wide operating and capital budget systems and processes, including state-level financial reporting, legislative appropriations management and institutional budget allocations. She also leads multi-year financial planning and forecasting, providing strategic leadership in resource alignment and financial decision-making support for academic and administrative units.
Says Wagner, “This leadership team represents a significant step in advancing the university’s finance coordinated services model, ensuring that financial services are strategically aligned, collaborative and positioned to support the university’s long-term mission and success.”