USF’s Gard Named a 2022 Chicago CFO of the Year Awards Program Finalist

Joliet, Ill. – Congratulations are extended to Julee Gard, Vice President for Administration and Finance at the University of St. Francis (USF), on being named one of six Finalists in the Large Not-For-Profit Company category of the 2022 Annual Chicago CFO of the Year Awards Program hosted by the Chicago Chapter of Financial Executives International (FEI).

The 2022 Chicago CFO of the Year Awards Program, which will take place on Tuesday, November 1, at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, will recognize Finalists and one Winner in each of the following categories: Public Company, Large Private Company, Mid-Size Private Company, Small Private Company, Large Not-For-Profit Company, and Mid-Sized Not-For-Profit Company.

While she is the focus of this recognition, Gard is quick to redirect that attention to where and with whom she works every day.

“I am honored and humbled to be named a Finalist in the 11th Annual Chicago CFO of the Year Awards.  I am incredibly fortunate to be doing work that I love at the University of St. Francis – an organization whose mission and core values ring true to me. None of this would be possible without the group of talented professionals I am fortunate to call my team at USF,” Gard said.

“Wintrust is exceptionally proud to partner with Julee Gard and the entire Team at the University of St. Francis. Julee’s dedication, diligence, and integrity in her work are evident in everything she does, making her an integral part of the ongoing success at the University. The nomination for CFO of the Year is well-deserved, as the Bank recognizes Julee’s strong values, work ethic & decision-making capabilities that help define her as an impactful leader in the USF community,” said Wintrust Senior Vice President Erinn Siegel from Wintrust, who helped lead the nomination effort.

“Julee is, quite simply, one of the most talented, capable servant-leaders that I have encountered in over 35 years of working in industry (for-profit) and academia (nonprofit).  She is incredibly competent – both technically and inter-personally – and precisely the type of leader that higher education, in general, and USF, in particular, need in the 21st century,” said USF President Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D.

“This is a wonderful affirmation of our most important financial partners’ faith in and respect for Julee. Just being nominated was honor enough, but for Julee to be named a Finalist is simply incredible. The Awards Program ceremony is set for early November, but she’s already ‘won’ in Wintrust and USF’s eyes,” Johnson added.

About Julee Gard

Julee Gard is the Vice President for Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL.  Serving in this role since 2016, Julee is the senior administrator responsible for Finance, Treasury Operations, Human Resources, Grant Administration, Facility Operations, Security, and Risk Management.

She started her career as an auditor in Deloitte’s Minneapolis and Los Angeles offices.  After public accounting, she worked in the insurance, consulting, telecommunication, professional services, social services, and manufacturing industries focusing on finance, risk management, budgeting/forecasting, and business process improvements.  Her technical accounting expertise earned her the unofficial title of “Julee GAAP” while working in the global controllership department at Accenture.  Julee has previously held Chief Financial Officer positions at Little Friends, Inc. in Naperville, IL, and Spectrum Technologies in Aurora, IL.

Julee is a regular co-presenter of “Financial Fundamentals for Presidents” at the Council of Independent College’s annual New Presidents Program.  She has also presented on improving higher education budgeting and financial reporting processes at the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) and the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities (AFCU) conferences.

She holds a B.A. in Accounting and M.B.A. from University of St. Thomas and is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, and an Associate in Risk Management.  She is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Higher Education Management at the University of Pennsylvania where her research is focused on the financial health and viability of small, private universities.   Julee is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Society for Human Resources Management.  Julee volunteers as a member of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Valley Chapter of the Red Cross and as a pianist at her local parish.  She, her husband, and their three college-aged children live in Naperville.

Julee A. Gard

About FEI and FEI Chicago

Financial Executives International (FEI) is the premier association for CFO’s and other senior financial executives in the United States and Canada. The Chicago Chapter of FEI has 300 members representing some of Chicago’s iconic and most well-known organizations. Members of the Chicago chapter have access to unparalleled educational opportunities, monthly dinner meetings featuring thought leaders providing innovative and provocative ideas about finance and economics.

Visit chicagocfo.org for more information.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF’s Gard Joins Regional American Red Cross Board

Joliet, Ill. – The American Red Cross of the Illinois River Valley recently announced that Julee Gard, University of St. Francis (USF) Vice President of Finance & Administration, has joined its Board of Directors. Board members are chosen based on their commitment to the Red Cross mission in combination with their expertise, experience, and willingness to serve the needs of the board.

Gard has served as the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Administration and Finance at USF since 2016. Prior to her work at USF, Gard was the Vice President of Finance and HR at Spectrum Technologies from 2012-2016. Her career also includes senior financial positions at Little Friends, SIRVA, and Accenture. She started her career as an auditor in public accounting with Deloitte.

Gard is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Association of Catholic Colleges & Universities, the National Association of College & University Business Officers, and the Society for Human Resource Management.

“With Julee Gard joining the Chapter Board, the Red Cross continues to strengthen our partnerships with higher education in the chapter,” said American Red Cross of the Illinois River Valley Executive Director, Brian McDaniel. “The University of St. Francis has been an anchor for our work to collect life-saving blood, especially among African Americans for Sickle Cell Disease.”

Gard earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. She is also a Certified Public Accountant. Gard, her husband Michael, and their three college-aged children live in Naperville, IL.

About the American Red Cross of the Illinois River Valley

The American Red Cross of the Illinois River Valley serves over 1 million people in five counties in Northern Illinois including Kankakee, Will, Grundy, Kendall and LaSalle. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit us at www.redcross.org/ILRiver or visit us on Twitter @RedCrossIL.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 51,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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