St. Ambrose University announced Courtney A. Berg, MSA, CPA, SHRM-CP, as its new chief financial officer (CFO) effective Tuesday, Feb. 18.
With more than two decades of financial leadership in higher education, Ms. Berg brings invaluable expertise to the university. She comes to St. Ambrose from Buena Vista University, where she managed a multi-million dollar budget, implemented zero-based budgeting, and oversaw critical financial operations, including endowment accounting and federal grants compliance.
She also led multimillion-dollar construction projects, secured diverse financing, and successfully launched the university’s Spirit Store, achieving profitability every year since its inception. In a news release this week, St. Ambrose said her commitment to student success extended to teaching financial literacy courses and co-chairing strategic initiatives to strengthen the campus community.
“Courtney’s extensive experience and innovative approach to fiscal management make her an outstanding addition to our leadership team,” St. Ambrose President Amy Novak said. “Her leadership will be vital as we continue planning for the addition of Mount Mercy, and advance our strategic goals.”
Ms. Berg also has been involved in leadership programs such as the NACUBO Fellows Program and EAB Rising Higher Education Leaders fellowship. In addition, she has served on key governance committees, providing critical financial insights to institutional leadership.
“I am honored to join the St. Ambrose community and excited to support its growth and innovation as its new CFO,” Ms. Berg said in the release. “I look forward to contributing my skills and experience to help advance SAU’s mission. Together, we will build a strong financial foundation to enhance the university’s impact on students and the broader community.”
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ms. Berg and her husband share a passion for travel, live music, and sports. Her community involvement includes service on her church’s finance council and foundation board. A former standout student-athlete, she was inducted into the Buena Vista University Hall of Fame in 2019 for her achievements in softball.
