Kelly Sparks has been appointed as the new vice chancellor for finance and chief financial officer of UC Berkeley, beginning her tenure on July 1. This follows her current role as the executive vice president of finance and administration and chief business officer at the University of Maine. Sparks, who has significant experience in finance across various sectors, says she is looking forward to the opportunity and expressed her alignment with Berkeley’s values of equity and inclusion.
Sparks acknowledged the complexities of the current higher education landscape, especially given the challenges imposed by the Trump administration. She emphasized her commitment to helping UC Berkeley develop and implement financial strategies for growth. Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons expressed confidence in Sparks’ ability to address these challenges, stating, “I am confident that Kelly has all the skills, values and experience necessary to ensure our university is fully able to meet the opportunities and challenges before us.”
Sparks is set to succeed Daniel Feitelberg, who has been serving as the interim vice chancellor for finance and CFO. Her previous efforts at the University of Maine included addressing a $30 million budget deficit through strategic financial planning and resource realignment.
Originally from Oregon, Sparks has an extensive professional history that includes positions at Oregon State University-Cascades, University of Oregon, and notable companies like PricewaterhouseCoopers and Nordstrom. At OSU-Cascades, she played a key role in campus development and financing.
Sparks has a personal connection to philanthropy, having co-founded Peacock Family Services in response to her children’s needs, and remains actively involved in early childhood development initiatives. She and her husband, Peter, along with their two dogs, will relocate to California as she assumes her new role at UC Berkeley. Sparks highlights her enthusiasm for engaging with the campus community and contributing to its financial and cultural vibrancy.
