brenda willis

senior executive director grants and sponsored programs

About

SENIOR FINANCE EXECUTIVE Sharp, driven executive with strong progressive finance and sponsored programs experience. Collaborative and enthusiastic in approaching enterprise-wide challenges and utilizing my financial expertise to deliver effective solutions. Actively managed over $100 Million in Sponsored Programs; Maintained Successful Unqualified Financial and Federal Audits with Low Risk Classification; Maximized Facilities and Administrative Cost Recovery, Built Financial Practices and Compliances.

Country

united states

City

atlanta

Industry

higher education

Skill

program management, financial reporting, research, management, grant writing, budgets, public speaking, data analysis, leadership, microsoft office, community outreach, grants, microsoft excel, staff development, higher education, powerpoint, strategic planning, datatel, databases, data conversion, financial services, financial statements, financial transactions, financial forecasting, banner finance, datatel colleague, computers, federal grants management

Experience

directors of grants and contracts

grambling state university

1983-11 - 2001-11 · 18 yrs 1 mo

senior executive director grants and sponsored programs

howard university

2015-1 - Present · 11 yrs 9 mos

manager of grants and contracts

grambling state university

1993-7 - 2001-12 · 8 yrs 6 mos

Developed a comprehensive grants and contracts program which included both pre and post award activities totaling over $30 million annually. Increased grant and contract awards by 67% over a two-year period. The plan included a process to review process and submit grant proposals accurately, timely and completely as well as manage awarded budgets, payment requests, and timely submission of financial and programmatic reports. Established an investment plan to invest the University's idle cash in accordance with state regulations. In 1999 and 2001, duties included the revision of cash management policy and procedure manuals to comply with new state regulations. Completed seven successful consecutive audits in accordance with federal, state, local and university policies, procedures, laws and guidelines supervising three employees. Converted to the Banner System successfully establishing and maintaining the research accounting module for monthly and annual closeouts as well as financial reporting.