Project Governance Structure

The Modernization Initiative project governance structure brings impacted groups & communities together to participate in dialogue and decision-making that influence the configuration and implementation of Workday as the new business software for WSU. When making decisions about business processes, technology, and functionality within the new Workday system, the governance structure is used to help determine how decisions are made, and by whom. From choices about system functionality and configuration, to major decisions about business, strategy, and policy, the project governance structure enables voices of impacted groups to be heard and decisions to be made in an organized way.

Making Decisions: Who and How

Depending on the scope and impact of a potential decision, different levels of the governance structure are engaged. The primary groups that make up the Governance Structure are the core project team, the Project Management Office (PMO), Operating Committee, and Executive Sponsor; these bodies are advised by a number of committees and groups, including the Steering and Executive Committees, President’s Cabinet, and area leaders, as well as WSU community groups including Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and Advisory Work Groups. For a high-level view of the governance structure being used on the project, see the visual above.

How are decisions divided?

The decision making process is structured in such a way that allows the Core Project Team to make a majority of day-to-day decisions. If decisions are deemed to be critical or need further evaluation, they are escalated according to the Governance Structure. Generally, decisions are divided according to the scale above: the Executive Sponsor is responsible for around 5% of decisions; the Operating Committee, 10%; the Project Management Office 20%; and the Core Project Team around 65% of decisions.

Structure and Key Personnel

Executive Committee 

  • Senior executive leaders representing units, functions, and campuses.
  • Final decision on business direction.

Members of the Executive Committee include:

  • Fran Hermanson, Executive Director, Institutional Research
  • Matt Skinner, Associate Vice President for Finance & Administration
  • Mike Corwin, Associate Vice President, Information Technology Systems and Project Technology Director
  • Sasi Pillay, Vice President of Information Technology Services and Chief Information Officer
  • Stacy Pearson, Vice President for Finance & Administration and Executive Sponsor
  • Theresa Elliot-Cheslek, Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
  • Kathy Karich, Executive Sponsor, Deloitte
  • Jay Dumphy, Program Director, Deloitte

Steering Committee

  • Senior executive leaders representing units, functions, and campuses.
  • Ensures alignment of Modernization Initiative with university strategy.

Members of the Steering Committee include:

  • Chip Hunter, Dean of Carson College of Business
  • Christopher Keane, Vice President of Research
  • Don Holbrook, Budget Director, Academic Affairs
  • Laura Parma, OCIO Consultant
  • Lynn Valenter, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations
  • Mary Rezac, Professor of Chemical Engineering Dean of the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
  • Matt Skinner, Associate Vice President for Finance & Administration
  • Mike Corwin, Associate Vice President, Information Technology Systems and Project Technology Director
  • Phil Weiler, Vice President, University Marketing & Communications
  • Sasi Pillay, Vice President of Information Technology Services and Chief Information Officer
  • Stacy Pearson, Vice President for Finance & Administration and Executive Sponsor
  • Steve Simasko, Professor and Chair, Director of Programs in Neuroscience
  • Theresa Elliot-Cheslek, Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
  • Todd Butler, Associate English Professor
  • Vicki McCracken, Economics Professor
  • Kathy Karich, Executive Sponsor, Deloitte
  • Jay Dumphy, Program Director, Deloitte
  • Kevin Molloy, Sr. Higher Education Advisor, Workday

Operating Committee

  • Advised by business process Advisory Work Groups and Area Leadership.
  • Provides strategic input, guidance, alignment, and support for the Project.
  • Assists with communication.

Members of the Operating Committee include:

  • Annie Riedinger, Change Management Lead, Modernization
  • Brant Schroeder, Enterprise Project Manager
  • Gerik Kimble, Assistant Director, Financial Systems Modernization
  • Jennifer Klein, Director, Human Resource Management Systems Modernization
  • Joy Morton, Director, Financial Systems Modernization
  • Matt Skinner, Associate Vice President for Finance & Administration
  • Mike Corwin, Associate Vice President, Information Technology Systems and Project Technology Director
  • Theresa Elliot-Cheslek, Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Project Management Office

  • Facilitates the project work effort.
  • Manages risks, issues, decision making process, and scope.

Members of the Project Management Office include:

  • Jennifer Klein, Director, Human Resource Management Systems Modernization
  • Joy Morton, Director, Financial Systems Modernization
  • Matt Skinner, Associate Vice President for Finance & Administration
  • Mike Corwin, Associate Vice President, Information Technology Systems and Project Technology Director
  • Jonathan Lee, Project Administrator, Modernization
  • David Boeker, Project Manager, Deloitte

Core Project Team 

  • Advised by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and Advisory Work Groups.
  • Drives the technology and business process design and is responsible for ensuring the technology and work flow meets University needs.
  • Involved in every-day decision making.

Members of the Core Project Team can be found at the Meet our Team page.