JAMAICAN-BORN Dr Tashni-Ann Dubroy, executive vice-president and chief operating officer of Howard University, has been appointed the new board chair for the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) based in the United States (US).

Dubroy’s appointment came into effect on August 1 and has marked a historic moment as she became the first black female board chair in NACUBO’s history, making it a significant milestone for the organisation’s journey towards diversifying and inclusivity in its leadership.

“I am immensely optimistic about the future of NACUBO. We’ve never been stronger, and I look forward to working with my fellow board members to strengthen the value we provide to our member institutions, and in turn, to the students they serve,” Dubroy said.

In welcoming the appointment of the dynamic leader, Kara D Freeman, NACUBO’s president and CEO, said with these “experienced and talented campus business leaders guiding our work and sharing their insights from the field, NACUBO will continue to build on its offerings, focused on professional development, student success, policy analysis, consulting, and more”.

With deep Jamaican roots and an exceptional professional journey, Dubroy brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role. Born in Jamaica, she immigrated to the United States at a young age and quickly blossomed into a remarkable leader in the field of education and business. Throughout her career, Dubroy made significant contributions to the field of higher education in the USA and has championed several joint initiatives across the Caribbean to include fostering exchange study opportunities between students of The University of the West Indies and historically black colleges and universities, promoting cultural exchange and cross-cultural collaboration.

“My Jamaican roots have profoundly shaped my approach to leadership and decision-making,” she said. Dubroy also noted that her values of resilience, community, and a strong work ethic, which she has inherited, have guided her approach to leadership.

“I strive to lead with empathy, foster inclusive environments, and make decisions that reflect the diverse needs of the communities we serve. Jamaicans generally have a caring spirit, often cloaked in tough love, but our compassion is evident.”

During her tenure, Dubroy plans to focus on enhancing financial sustainability through innovative strategies, advancing professional development opportunities for business officers, foster a culture of collaboration among member institutions as well as to promote best practices in governance and to advocate for policies that support equity and inclusion. Additionally, the renowned educator will seek to explore opportunities for collaboration with Caribbean educational institutions geared towards knowledge exchange, professional development opportunities as well working together on projects that address common challenges and share best practices to enhance educational outcomes, globally.

NACUBO, which was founded in 1962, is a non-profit professional organisation representing chief administrative and financial officers at more than 1,700 colleges and universities across the USA. The organisation works to advance the economic vitality, business practices, and support of higher education institutions in pursuit of their missions.