Geoffrey Chatas, the executive vice president and chief financial officer at the University of Michigan (U-M), is set to become the senior vice president of operations at Yale University. His departure from U-M is scheduled for the end of October.
Starting November 1, Bobby Hewlett, Vice President for Finance, will take over as interim executive vice president and chief financial officer at U-M.
President Domenico Grasso praised Chatas, stating, “Geoff has made numerous meaningful contributions during his tenure, including helping to guide the university through the COVID-19 pandemic and, more recently, navigating complex federal research funding issues.” Grasso emphasized the strong financial position Chatas has left the university in, along with his dedicated service.
Chatas joined U-M in October 2021 as one of three executive vice presidents, advising the university president on financial matters. He managed U-M’s business and finance sectors, including investments, facilities, and human resources.
During his tenure, U-M sustained a strong credit rating, supporting its academic mission amid sector-wide financial challenges. Chatas’ financial strategy facilitated record student scholarships, faculty positions, and research funding, keeping education accessible.
Chatas was pivotal in the university’s Look to Michigan vision and the Campus Plan 2050, which outlines 25 years of campus development and sustainability initiatives.
Previously, Chatas held leadership roles at Georgetown University and Ohio State University. His corporate finance background includes positions at JP Morgan Asset Management, Progress Energy Inc., and Citibank. He holds degrees from Georgetown University, Oxford University, and INSEAD.
Hewlett, who became vice president for finance in July, has a 14-year tenure at U-M. His past roles include interim associate vice president for finance and controller at Michigan Medicine. Hewlett is a Stephen M. Ross School of Business alumnus with a bachelor’s in business administration and a master’s in accounting. Before U-M, he worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Grasso plans to collaborate with Chatas and Hewlett to ensure a seamless transition. The next U-M president will decide the search process for the executive vice president and chief financial officer role.
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