MaryFrances McCourt Joins CMU as Interim Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer

MaryFrances McCourt joined Carnegie Mellon University on August 17, 2026 to serve as interim vice president for finance and chief financial officer while the university continues its national search for a permanent senior financial executive. 

McCourt brings over three decades of both corporate and higher education financial experience to Carnegie Mellon. Throughout her distinguished career, she has established a reputation as a forward-looking, collaborative partner working to optimize financial resources to enable strategic priorities while delivering impact through core operations. McCourt is widely recognized for her ability to lead complex organizations, drive large-scale financial system transformations, and combine deep fiscal discipline with strategic capital planning. Her work is characterized by sophisticated financial modeling and analysis, and financial process modernization.

Prior to joining Carnegie Mellon, she served as the Chief Financial Officer for the University of Chicago, where she oversaw financial operations, treasury, human resources, compliance, and IT services for a $6.6 billion consolidated enterprise. Before that, McCourt spent six years at the University of Pennsylvania, ultimately serving as Senior Vice President for Finance and Treasurer, where she led the financial operations, treasury, research administration, financial aid, registration, bursar, and global support services for Penn’s $12.6 billion enterprise. She also served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Indiana University, successfully guiding the institution through the 2008 economic crisis to achieve its highest credit ratings of Aaa (Moody’s) and AAA (S&P).

Visit MaryFrances McCourt’s bio to read more. 

MaryFrances’s deep experience will ensure steadfast financial stewardship and leadership as we continue advancing the university's important strategic priorities as the national search is ongoing. 

We deeply appreciate Chief Investment Officer Charles A. Kennedy for his willingness to serve as the interim CFO over the last several months. Chuck’s seasoned leadership and steady hand have been vital in maintaining our operational continuity.

Please join us in extending a sincere gratitude to Chuck for his exceptional service and in giving MaryFrances a warm welcome to Carnegie Mellon.