Deb Dickenson, M.B.A., CPA, CGMA, was named assistant dean for finance, planning, and fiscal operations for the George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS).
In this role, Dickenson will serve as the principal financial officer responsible for planning, organizing, executing, evaluating, and monitoring the school's financial functions to ensure the academic and fiscal needs of SMHS are met. She will advise school leadership on fiscal matters, as well as financial plan development. This includes creating and implementing financial plans that align with GW and SMHS goals.
"We are excited to have someone with Deb's experience and expertise at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences," said Walter Harris, M.B.A, P.M.P, senior associate dean for administration and operations at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. "Her experience using strategic planning to shape competitive positioning and strengthen organizational infrastructures, will be invaluable to the school."
Dickenson comes with more than 25 years of experience in administrative and financial management positions. She has extensive experience navigating market challenges in higher education, including several years with GW as an associate vice president for financial management. In this role, she provided strategic leadership to deans, finance directors, and analysts in their five-year financial planning. She also advised leadership on the impact of major initiatives, including expense reductions, resource allocation decisions, and reorganizations. She led financial reporting, forecasting, and budgeting processes, and made sure the project prioritization framework was aligned with the university's strategic goals. Prior to her role as associate vice president for financial management, Dickenson served as comptroller, where she directed all financial reporting and accounting.
"I am honored to be joining the leadership team at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences," said Dickenson. "I look forward to supporting faculty and staff, as well as the school's strategic plan, programs, services, and initiatives."
Prior to her roles at GW, Dickenson served as a financial leader at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the National Rifle Association, Marriott International, Inc., Price Waterhouse, LLP, and Arthur Anderson & Co.
Dickenson received her M.B.A. in finance from the University of Texas at Austin and her B.B.A. in accounting from Southern Methodist University. She received her CPA from the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, where she received her Chartered Global Management Accountant designation.
Dickenson will begin her role on May 15, 2017.
