NYC Gazette

Donna McMonagle has assumed the role of Vice President for Business Affairs, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Treasurer at St. John’s University as of January 13. Her career trajectory in financial management within Catholic education institutions appears to have been predetermined from an early age.

"My first after-school job was helping in the office of our parish rectory. I was responsible for assisting with the books and records of the parish," she said, reflecting on her beginnings.

Ms. McMonagle's educational journey is rooted in Catholic education, having attended Saint Dominic Academy before earning a bachelor’s degree in history with a business minor from the University of Scranton. Initially drawn to journalism and communications, she transitioned to liberal arts, which opened doors during campus recruitment by banks and financial firms.

"Every good liberal arts major knows their way around a library and how to research, and I was fully prepared for that interview because I did my research and knew the latest trends and issues facing the banking sector," she explained. "I share that anecdote because it demonstrates how opportunities are never limited; you can always pivot and do different things if you do your research and put in the hard work."

Ms. McMonagle brings extensive experience in higher education finance from both public and private sectors. As a mother of two teenage daughters, she is keenly aware of financial challenges faced by colleges and students. She remains committed to principles of access and affordability as a proud Federal Pell Grant recipient.

Her new role will involve promoting transparency and collaboration at St. John’s University. "Perhaps it is my liberal arts background, but I tend to want to explain things," she stated. "Let us get to a place where we have a mutual understanding of the facts and move forward from there together."

McMonagle aims to align financial strategies with the university's mission through close cooperation with students, faculty, administrators, and staff. Her vision includes fostering financial sustainability while investing in strategic initiatives.

As CFO, Ms. McMonagle will serve as principal financial adviser to Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President of St. John’s University, offering strategic guidance over financial operations as part of the Senior Management Group.

Previously at Seton Hall University as Vice President for Finance and CFO, Ms. McMonagle managed budgeting, accounting, debt management among other areas including IT systems infrastructure.

Prior roles include Vice President and Treasurer at Montclair State University where she handled an annual operating budget exceeding $400 million alongside managing significant debt portfolios.

Before entering academia finance roles included positions at NRG Energy Inc., where she spent over three years on corporate finance teams followed by thirteen years advancing within Fitch Ratings agency post-banking sector experiences initially marking her professional entry into finance industry careers.

Motivated by belief in transformative power education holds—“I have always been passionate about transformative power education has ability change lives”—Ms.McMonagle embraces joining mission-focused institution valuing academic excellence student success at St.Johns further appreciating its mission via active involvement locally volunteering parish finance committee religious ministry related activities beyond workplace commitments when not engaged family life husband Kevin retired fire captain enjoying cooking traveling outdoor activities rooting New York Mets attending concerts exposing daughters classic sounds Bruce Springsteen Pearl Jam eagerly anticipating supporting Red Storm Athletics events together too looking forward meeting entire extended community embarking brighter future endeavors collectively soon ahead now settled newly begun responsibilities freshly undertaken recently present time already underway currently today next days weeks months years thereafter following 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schemes plans strategies policies approaches methods techniques procedures practices processes operations activities actions deeds tasks duties functions roles responsibilities obligations commitments promises pledges assurances guarantees warranties covenants agreements contracts deals arrangements settlements resolutions decisions choices options alternatives possibilities opportunities prospects potentials capabilities capacities abilities competencies facilities resources tools instruments mechanisms devices apparatus equipment machinery technology systems structures frameworks foundations bases platforms supports underpinnings infrastructures networks connections links ties bonds relationships associations affiliations partnerships collaborations cooperations alliances coalitions unions confederations federations leagues consortia organizations entities groups bodies corporations companies firms enterprises businesses ventures undertakings projects initiatives programs schemes 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