FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2023
Contact: Danielle Miller, dmiller@dillard.edu
504.816.4328
NEW ORLEANS – Today, President Rochelle L. Ford announced the appointment of Ben Austin as Dillard University’s new chief financial officer (CFO) and vice president for business and finance, effective May 31. As CFO, Ben will report directly to the president and be responsible for the supervision of all personnel and functions within the Office of Business & Finance.
“I trust that Ben will be an excellent addition to the University as we work to finance our future, fortify our faculty and staff and build facilities to withstand the forecast. His experience in budgeting and strategic planning will be beneficial as we focus on building healthy, safe and innovative communities,” said President Ford.
Ben is a strategic and analytical business leader having served in CFO roles for over 15 years in hospitals, healthcare consulting and real estate development. He brings a strong track record of delivering transformative change to organizations by leveraging technology to drive automation, lowering costs, and improving infrastructure. Prior to his appointment at Dillard, Ben served as CFO of Caminar, a large behavioral health agency operating across northern California.
“I am excited to join Dillard University as its new CFO and to be a part of its commitment to cultivating leaders who think, communicate, and act with precision, ethics and courage. With such a strong legacy, Dillard has a unique opportunity to shape the future by empowering students with the knowledge and skills they need to make a positive impact in the world,” Austin said. “I am committed to working with the talented faculty, staff, and students of Dillard to ensure that the University continues to grow and thrive.”
In addition to his extensive industry experience, Ben has published in the Management Research Review and has presented at the American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences Conference, where he was awarded Best Track Paper for Management.
Ben recently completed coursework for his doctor of business administration at Saint Ambrose University. He is currently working on his dissertation, and will graduate in spring of 2024. He earned his master of business administration in finance from California State University, and his bachelor of arts in business administration from Southwestern University. He also holds affiliations and board memberships with American College of Healthcare Executives, Healthcare Financial Management Association, Charter for Compassion and KIPP Bridge Charter School.
About Dillard University
Dillard University is a historically Black institution that cultivates leaders who live ethically, think and communicate precisely, and act courageously to make the world a better place. Located in New Orleans, Dillard is a private faith-based liberal arts university that offers 22 majors and two certificate programs. Ranked 5th on 2021 The New York Times Overall Mobility Index and 14th in 2022 by Academic Influence for Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship, Dillard’s call to future leaders is to Write Your Legacy. Find out more about Louisiana’s oldest HBCU by visiting www.dillard.edu.
