Janet Williams named Vice President for Finance

Wake Forest University has named Janet Williams Vice President for Finance.

Williams, who currently serves as interim vice president of the Division of Finance and Administration at Ithaca College, has more than two decades of experience in financial leadership positions with colleges, universities and Fortune 500 companies.

She will be responsible for managing, planning and overseeing the financial areas of the University to ensure Wake Forest’s capacity to fulfill its educational mission and vision.

“Janet brings to Wake Forest a wealth of experience in strategic planning, operations management, financial management and budget development,” said Hof Milam, executive vice president at Wake Forest. “Her exceptional managerial skills, deep understanding of financial operations and commitment to strengthening the Wake Forest community make her an excellent person to fill this vital role.”

She will assume her new duties July 1.

Williams will have responsibility for the management and operation of the business and finance areas of the University including accounting, student financial services, accounts receivable, accounts payable, campus financial services, financial information systems, procurement, risk services, fiscal planning, financial statement preparation, contract negotiations, payroll, treasury services and investments.

“In the role of vice president for finance, I look forward to applying a unique combination of corporate and higher education business knowledge and experiences to advance Wake Forest’s strategic goals,” Williams said. “I am most excited about forging new relationships with many talented and interesting people at Wake Forest. I know the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships and working collaboratively with others for the good of the whole institution. I am privileged to be part of the Finance and Administration leadership team at Wake Forest.”

As interim vice president of the Division of Finance and Administration at Ithaca College, Williams served as the College’s chief financial officer and treasurer. She led the college’s finance and administration team and oversaw the college’s fiscal resources, information technology programs, physical facilities, auxiliary services, and financial services.

She joined Ithaca College as controller in January of 2016 and was appointed interim Vice President of the Division of Finance and Administration the following summer. Prior to joining Ithaca College, she served for four years as Director of Finance and Administration for the Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences at Cornell University.

Williams also served in several senior management roles with Lockheed Martin, Corning Inc. and Kraft Foods. Williams began her career as a staff auditor with Ernst and Young. She holds a B.B.A. in accounting from the University of Texas, Austin, and an M.B.A. in production operations management from the University of North Texas, Denton.

“I was attracted to the University’s vision and aspirations,” Williams said. “Wake Forest believes in a diverse learning community where students are inspired to become global citizens who think critically, act ethically and serve responsibly. This spoke to my passion for service and the comprehensive development of the whole person – mind, body and spirit.”

She has brought her professional expertise to volunteer leadership roles with a number of nonprofit community organizations in New York, including the Children’s Home in Binghamton, the Economic Opportunity Program/Community Action Agency in Elmira, Tompkins County Area Development Board in Ithaca and Cosmopolitan Women’s Club of Steuben and Chemung County. She has led humanitarian mission trips to Haiti, Jamaica and Belize.