Stephen F. Kenney, who has amassed decades of experience as a strategic finance and operations leader in multiple high-profile academic settings, has been named interim vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer at the University of Hartford.
Kenney arrived on campus Oct. 15 and will guide UHart’s financial operations while a comprehensive search process is conducted for a permanent CFO.
“A University of the size, scope, and prominence of UHart requires an abundance of financial expertise, budgetary insight, and fiscal intuition,” says University of Hartford President Lawrence P. Ward. “These are attributes that Steve brings to the role. I have every confidence that he will help us tackle the financial challenges prevalent throughout higher education today and formulate a strategic vision that will put us on solid financial footing over the coming months.”
Kenney has been called a mission-driven leader whose passion and skills have transformed the financial performances of those organizations for which he has worked, some in higher education, others in health care and international development. He is noted as a change management catalyst who has facilitated more than $100 million in financial improvements at several of those institutions through creative cost containment, productive process improvements, and responsive revenue growth. Kenney’s long list of accomplishments also includes the formation of bank partnerships to support fundraising campaigns exceeding $500 million, and the launch of a biomedical research and competitive grants programs representing $200 million in support.
A consummate team builder, Kenney has provided financial expertise to the Arnot Health System in the Southern Tier of New York, the University of Vermont Health Network, Weill Cornell Medicine at Cornell University, and the American University of Beirut in both Lebanon and New York. His positions have included chief financial officer, chief administrative officer, and vice president of finance, and his wide range of financial capabilities includes capital campaigns, endowment stewardship, nonprofits, and governmental agencies. Kenney began his career in Maine at a top-tier global accounting firm (now Ernst & Young), where he earned his certified public accounting (CPA) designation along with several other certifications in internal audit, fraud examinations, information systems audit, and global management accounting.
With both master’s and bachelor’s degrees in business administration from the University of Maine, Kenney has been suited not only to excel in executive positions, but also to share his aptitude with finance students. As such, he has spent time teaching managerial accounting, financial accounting, and internal auditing concepts at colleges from Maine to Bulgaria.
Kenney has worked in and traveled to more than 50 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, northern Africa, Central Asia, and the Gulf. In addition to travel, he enjoys a wide range of hobbies and interests, including photography, biking, golf, and writing poetry.
“I look forward to supporting President Ward and the leadership team during this exciting time period in UHart’s history,” Kenney says. “I am very grateful for this opportunity to work with an experienced veteran team to deliver high-quality finance and administrative services that will enable UHart to achieve its core mission focused on learning, personal growth, student success, and engagement with our community.”