Jeanine R. Hawk Named Chief Financial Officer & Vice President for Business Affairs

Palo Alto, CA - Palo Alto University (PAU) today announced that Jeanine R. Hawk, MBA, EDD has been named Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Business Affairs, effective August 7, 2023. Hawk joins PAU from Holy Names University in Oakland, California, where she was Vice President of Finance and Administration. 

“Jeanine brings a wealth of leadership experience in finance and administration to this position,” says PAU President Maureen O’Connor. “Her depth of experience in higher education, non-profit administration and the private sector will serve PAU well as we advance our strategic plan and move innovative initiatives forward.”   

Hawk will lead PAU’s Business Affairs division with responsibility for managing the University’s business office and facilities, human resources, and information technology functions. In addition, she will serve as a strategic financial and planning partner to the President, Board of Trustees, Cabinet, and the PAU community as the university builds on its solid financial foundation.

Prior to her position at Holy Names University Hawk served as the Chief Financial Officer for Aspire Public Schools in Oakland and the Bay Area Council in San Francisco, CA. She served in finance and administrative leadership positions at a number of area community colleges. In addition to her community college and university experience, Dr. Hawk has served as adjunct faculty at Napa Valley College, Holy Names University and is currently teaching for UC Berkeley Extension.

Hawk is deeply committed to the communities she serves. She has previously served as a K-12 board member, Puente mentor, founding board member of the Josephine County Human Rights Alliance, which addressed anti LGBTQ legislation and hate speech in Southern Oregon, and as the Education Council liaison to the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.

Hawk earned a Bachelor of Arts from UC Irvine, an MBA from Southern Oregon University and a Doctor of Education from San Francisco State University.