Financial Officers

Financial officers in theological schools do more than wield the purse strings. They work with senior administrators to maintain economic equilibrium and maximize the use of available resources. Through annual conferences, webinars, Engage ATS (a new online interactive community for those who serve at ATS schools), and other resources, financial officers build peer networks and a collection of best practices for budget planning, investment policies and management, liability and legal issues, personnel and human resources issues, professional ethics, facilities management, and more.

ATS has many resources and data available to assist financial officers in their work. In particular, the ATS Strategic Information Report and the Institutional Peer Profile Report are strategic resources to help schools analyze their financial trends and performances. Please contact Chris Meinzer, ATS Senior Director and COO if you have any questions—especially if you are new to a theological school.

Here are several professional organizations ATS financial officers have found useful:

Lauren Johnson

412-788-6505, ext. 271

johnson@ats.edu

Lauren Johnson joined the ATS staff in 2024 as program assistant for leadership development. She supports the ongoing and expanding work of the ATS leadership communities of practice, as well as other programming designed to build individual and institutional capacities for future leaders at ATS member schools.

Johnson has a variety of experience working on research projects and event planning in nonprofits and higher education. She has been involved in community organizing to facilitate common goals for stakeholders in both the United States and in Africa. She has a Master of Social Work degree and a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and sciences/liberal studies from California University of Pennsylvania.