About the Committee
The Finance & Administration Climate Committee will explore ways to promote sense of belonging, diversity, inclusion and equity in the Division of Finance & Administration.
The Committee is charged to:
- Survey current divisional climate regarding sense of belonging, diversity, inclusion and equity in the Division of Finance & Administration
- Identify opportunities in recruitment and hiring to continue to diversify divisional workforce
- Explore onboarding and professional development opportunities for division staff to identify gaps and reduce barriers to success for underrepresented groups
- Propose workshops, trainings or events to foster a welcoming and inclusive workplace for all
Submit feedback to the Committee.
Committee Members
Interim Committee Chair: Keiffer Peralta, Human Resources ([email protected])
Committee Members:
- Elisa Arteche, Facilities Management ([email protected])
- Taylor Chambers, Enterprise Risk Management ([email protected])
- Indu, Facilities Management ([email protected])
- Jill Haskell, Human Resources ([email protected])
- Anil Mangal, Facilities Management ([email protected])
- Matt McMillen, Information Technology Services ([email protected])
- Adam Reagan, Information Technology Services ([email protected])
- Kanti Tripathi, State Accounting ([email protected])
- Daniel Vandeyar, University Police Department ([email protected])
- Kenneth Waldie, University Auxiliary Services ([email protected])
Annual Awards
Each year, in partnership with the Climate Committee, the Vice President for Finance and Administration selects recipients of awards to highlight greatness within our Division. The 2024 award recipients were announced in January 2025.
Now is your chance to recognize your coworkers for all the amazing work they accomplished during the last academic year (July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025). Access the 2025 F&A Employee Recognition Awards Nomination Form.
Please submit your nomination for a deserving colleague by October 31, 2025.
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Award
This award recognizes an F&A team member who creates and supports an environment of inclusiveness and belonging at UAlbany. Previous recipients include:
- 2024: Anthony Fernandez
- 2023: Dan Bushnell
- 2022: Mary Ellen Mallia
- 2021: Merissa Mabee
Outstanding Accomplishment Award
This award recognizes an F&A team member who goes above and beyond to successfully meet a challenge and/or support change. Previous recipients include:
- 2024: Jessie Pellerin
- 2023: Nick Bennett
- 2022: Michael Vadney
- 2021: Stephen Conard
Sustained Excellence Award
This award recognizes an F&A team member who demonstrates ongoing excellence. Previous recipients include:
- 2024: Mike Grosshandler and Marzena Zander
- 2023: Eric Dombroski
- 2022: Jennifer Nichols and Denise Salerno
- 2021: Miguel Santiago
First Year Employee Award
This award recognizes excellence and engagement in a first year F&A team member. Previous recipients include:
- 2024: Amy Reynolds and Mohini Sinha
- 2023: Aicha Bamba and Stephanie Deso
- 2022: Ariana Wallace-Barrett
- 2021: Kevin Urure-Cruz
Community Award
This award recognizes an F&A team member who promotes collaboration, engagement and interaction across departments. Previous recipients include:
- 2024: Andrea Navedo
- 2023: Adam Pasnik
- 2022: Michael Mabee
- 2021: Jason Maloney, Pam Lantzy and Mary Baumes
Peer Award
This award recognizes an F&A team member who makes their team better. Previous recipients include:
- 2024: Jeanne Heiserman
- 2023: Carly Galbraith and Lena Thornton
- 2022: Nancy O’Brien
- 2021: Malgorzata Kaladjian
Feedback
The Committee welcomes feedback related to the promotion of diversity, inclusion and equity in the Division of Finance & Administration. To submit feedback, please complete the form below.
feedback