2026 Business and Finance Symposium
We are excited to announce the 2026 Business & Finance Symposium, sponsored by the Office of the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and coordinated by University Outreach. The symposium is offered for business managers and administrators with business and finance responsibilities across the University of Illinois System. The mission of the symposium is to provide its audience with knowledge and resources to enable them to manage the challenges they face and pursue excellence in their roles at the university.
The sessions chosen for the symposium were selected with recommendations and input from the business and finance advisory committees at all three universities.
Please join us for this in-person symposium, hosted at each university on the dates below. A complimentary hot breakfast and refreshments will be served.
Who to Ask
For more information, please contact our event coordinators:
Bernadette Rossmore: 312.413.3482 | rossmoor@uillinois.edu
Stacey Ballmes: 217.333.1202 | ballmes@uillinois.edu
Time and Location
UIC - Thursday, September 24, 8 a.m. to noon | Student Center East, Room Illinois AB
UIS - Tuesday, September 15, 8 a.m. to noon | UIS Student Union Ballroom
UIUC - Thursday, October 1, 8 a.m. to noon | iHotel and Conference Center - Illinois Ballroom
Schedule and Session Description
Please select the location where you will be attending.
8:00 to 8:45 a.m. - Registration/Check-in & Breakfast
8:45 to 9:00 a.m. - Welcome Remarks:
- Matt Fajack, Vice Chancellor for Finance, University of Illinois Chicago
- Ginger Velazquez, Executive Director for Business and Finance
- Paul Ellinger, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Comptroller, University of Illinois System
9:00 to 9:30 a.m. - Preparing for Business Transformation: Planning the University of Illinois System’s Next-Generation ERP
Session Description: The University of Illinois System is preparing for a next-generation cloud ERP initiative that will reshape core administrative processes across finance, human resources, procurement, grants, budgeting, reporting, and related business operations.
The System is currently engaged in a consultant-led planning effort to assess current systems, business processes, pain points, risks, readiness, and transformation opportunities. This work will inform a roadmap for moving from today’s highly customized administrative environment to a more modern, cloud-based ERP model.
This session will share where the planning effort stands, what business and finance leaders should expect in the months and years ahead, and how universities can begin preparing for the governance, process, data, technology, and change-management decisions that will be required for a successful transformation.
Presenters:
- Kelly Block, Sr. Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer
- Stephanie Dable, Assistant Vice President for Technical Application Management
- Filip Przybysz, Associate Director, System Office Shared Services
9:30 to 10:30 a.m. - Financial Reporting using My-UI-Financials, EDDIE, and Business Objects
Session Description: Explore how to access your financial reports/information in My-UI-Financials and learn how to create a query and retrieve data using Business Objects.
Presenters:
- Regina J. Harden, Financial Accounting & Reporting Analyst, University Accounting & Financial Reporting (UAFR)
- Jerry Myers, Functional Area Coordinator, Administrative Information Technology Services (AITS)
10:30 to 10:45 a.m. - Break
10:45 a.m. to noon - Procurement and Payment Services - Together, and Extraordinary
Session Description: The realignment of the purchasing offices under the Office of Procurement and Payment Services will more closely align purchasing and payment services’ activities. Leadership will discuss several early initiatives, and the session will feature a panel discussion with subject matter experts from Purchasing and University Payables. This will be the first of many events designed to allow our customers the opportunity to help us shape a more seamless procure to pay process.
Presenters:
- Aaron Carter, Senior Assistant Vice President, Office of Procurement and Payment Services
- Brad Henson, Executive Director, UIUC Purchasing and Contract Management
- Melissa Plotner, Senior Director, Payment Services
- Danielle Green, Associate Director, Office of Procurement and Payment Services
- Aaron Rosenthal, Assistant Vice Chancellor, UIC Purchasing and Contract Management
8:00 to 8:45 a.m. - Registration/Check-in & Breakfast
8:45 to 9:00 a.m. - Welcome Remarks:
- Ginger Velazquez, Executive Director for Business and Finance
- Paul Ellinger, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Comptroller, University of Illinois System
- Jill Wilberg, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, University of Illinois Springfield
9:00 to 9:30 a.m. - Preparing for Business Transformation: Planning the University of Illinois System’s Next-Generation ERP
Session Description: The University of Illinois System is preparing for a next-generation cloud ERP initiative that will reshape core administrative processes across finance, human resources, procurement, grants, budgeting, reporting, and related business operations.
The System is currently engaged in a consultant-led planning effort to assess current systems, business processes, pain points, risks, readiness, and transformation opportunities. This work will inform a roadmap for moving from today’s highly customized administrative environment to a more modern, cloud-based ERP model.
This session will share where the planning effort stands, what business and finance leaders should expect in the months and years ahead, and how universities can begin preparing for the governance, process, data, technology, and change-management decisions that will be required for a successful transformation.
Presenters:
- Kelly Block, Sr. Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer
- Stephanie Dable, Assistant Vice President for Technical Application Management
- Filip Przybysz, Associate Director, System Office Shared Services
9:30 to 10:30 a.m. - Financial Reporting using My-UI-Financials, EDDIE, and Business Objects
Session Description: Explore how to access your financial reports/information in My-UI-Financials and learn how to create a query and retrieve data using Business Objects.
Presenters:
- Regina J. Harden, Financial Accounting & Reporting Analyst, University Accounting & Financial Reporting (UAFR)
- Jerry Myers, Functional Area Coordinator, Administrative Information Technology Services (AITS)
10:30 to 10:45 a.m. - Break
10:45 a.m. to noon - Procurement and Payment Services - Together, and Extraordinary
Session Description: The realignment of the purchasing offices under the Office of Procurement and Payment Services will more closely align purchasing and payment services’ activities. Leadership will discuss several early initiatives, and the session will feature a panel discussion with subject matter experts from Purchasing and University Payables. This will be the first of many events designed to allow our customers the opportunity to help us shape a more seamless procure to pay process.
Presenters:
- Aaron Carter, Senior Assistant Vice President, Office of Procurement and Payment Services
- Brad Henson, Executive Director, UIUC Purchasing and Contract Management
- Melissa Plotner, Senior Director, Payment Services
- Danielle Green, Associate Director, Office of Procurement and Payment Services
- Jill Menezes, Assistant Vice Chancellor, UIS Purchasing
8:00 to 8:45 a.m. - Registration/Check-in & Breakfast
8:45 to 9:00 a.m. - Welcome Remarks:
- Ginger Velazquez, Executive Director for Business and Finance
- Paul Ellinger, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Comptroller, University of Illinois System
- Aimee Heeter, Vice Chancellor for Finance, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
9:00 to 9:30 a.m. - Preparing for Business Transformation: Planning the University of Illinois System’s Next-Generation ERP
Session Description: The University of Illinois System is preparing for a next-generation cloud ERP initiative that will reshape core administrative processes across finance, human resources, procurement, grants, budgeting, reporting, and related business operations.
The System is currently engaged in a consultant-led planning effort to assess current systems, business processes, pain points, risks, readiness, and transformation opportunities. This work will inform a roadmap for moving from today’s highly customized administrative environment to a more modern, cloud-based ERP model.
This session will share where the planning effort stands, what business and finance leaders should expect in the months and years ahead, and how universities can begin preparing for the governance, process, data, technology, and change-management decisions that will be required for a successful transformation.
Presenters:
- Kelly Block, Sr. Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer
- Stephanie Dable, Assistant Vice President for Technical Application Management
- Filip Przybysz, Associate Director, System Office Shared Services
9:30 to 10:30 a.m. - Financial Reporting using My-UI-Financials, EDDIE, and Business Objects
Session Description: Explore how to access your financial reports/information in My-UI-Financials and learn how to create a query and retrieve data using Business Objects.
Presenters:
- Regina J. Harden, Financial Accounting & Reporting Analyst, University Accounting & Financial Reporting (UAFR)
- Jerry Myers, Functional Area Coordinator, Administrative Information Technology Services (AITS)
10:30 to 10:45 a.m. - Break
10:45 a.m. to noon - Procurement and Payment Services - Together, and Extraordinary
Session Description: The realignment of the purchasing offices under the Office of Procurement and Payment Services will more closely align purchasing and payment services’ activities. Leadership will discuss several early initiatives, and the session will feature a panel discussion with subject matter experts from Purchasing and University Payables. This will be the first of many events designed to allow our customers the opportunity to help us shape a more seamless procure to pay process.
Presenters:
- Aaron Carter, Senior Assistant Vice President, Office of Procurement and Payment Services
- Brad Henson, Executive Director, UIUC Purchasing and Contract Management
- Melissa Plotner, Senior Director, Payment Services
- Danielle Green, Associate Director, Office of Procurement and Payment Services
- Justin Johnston, Executive Associate Director, UIUC Purchasing and Contract Management