Heather Travis Selected as Vice President for Finance and Administration

Simpson College has named Heather Travis, CPA, to serve as its next vice president for Finance and Administration. A 2006 Simpson College graduate, Travis returns to campus with extensive financial oversight and strategic leadership experience in higher education. Her selection follows a national search led by DSG Global Managing Director Matt Marsallo.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have Heather return to Simpson in this senior leadership role,” said Susan D. Stuebner, president of Simpson College. “She is a proven financial leader who thinks strategically and offers a proven track record in successfully navigating the complex financial challenges we face in private higher education today. Her calm, confident and collaborative problem-solving approach will serve Simpson extremely well.”

Travis has served as associate Chief Financial Officer and controller for Drake University since 2014. At Drake, Heather has been an integral member of the finance team. She has played key roles on several institution-wide committees, expanding her expertise in emergency planning, strategic initiatives and data systems, retirement investments, and advocating for campus-wide staff governance. Heather’s time at Drake has also featured service as interim chief financial officer, which included guiding the institution in improved financial forecasting, budget development, and policies and procedures.

“I’m excited to join Simpson College and contribute to the important work already underway,” said Travis. “I look forward to partnering with colleagues across the institution to support Simpson’s strategic goals, strengthen its financial foundation and advance its long-term success. As an alum, returning to the College is especially meaningful to me, and I’m genuinely invested in seeing Simpson continue to flourish.”

Prior to her appointment at Drake, Travis served as Simpson’s controller from 2010 to 2014. Her resume also includes four years at Ernst & Young, Inc., where she held the roles of assurance manager and senior auditor. After earning her accounting degree from Simpson, she went on to get her MBA from Drake.

Travis begins her duties at Simpson on July 1, 2026.