Officers & Committees

Following are the officers from July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025: 

• Chair – Regent Janie Mayeron
• Co-Vice Chair – Doug Huebsch
• Co-Vice Chair – Mike Kenyanya
• Secretary – Brian Steeves, Executive Director of the Office of the Board of Regents
• Interim Treasurer – Michael Volna, Associate Vice President for Finance and Operations, University of Minnesota

Board officers serve two-year terms. The Chair and Vice Chair are elected from members of the Board. The secretary and treasurer need not be members of the Board.

In odd-numbered years, a nominating committee consisting of three Regents is appointed by the Chair at the Board’s May meeting. The committee prepares a slate of candidates to serve as Board Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. The election of officers is conducted at the Board's meeting that June.  
 

The Audit & Compliance Committee oversees the University’s systems for risk assessment and internal controls, audits, and financial reporting, as well as the institutional compliance program. The committee provides the Board a direct communication channel to the University’s chief auditor and chief compliance officer, and to the independent auditor.

• James Farnsworth (Chair), Robyn Gulley (Vice Chair)  
• Mary Davenport, Tadd Johnson, Mike Kenyanya, and Bo Thao-Urabe
• Senior Leader Liaison: Quinn Gaalswyk, Chief Auditor 
• Staff Coordinator: Maggie Marchesani

The Finance & Operations Committee oversees the University’s operations, fiscal stability, physical assets (e.g., land, buildings, infrastructure, technology, equipment), and long-term economic health. The committee advises the president and administration on faculty and staff compensation, benefits, recruitment, and engagement. The committee makes recommendations to the Board and advises the president on the development of the University’s annual operating budget and its capital improvement budget.

• Doug Huebsch (Chair), Penny Wheeler (Vice Chair)
• Membership consists of all Regents. 
• Senior Leader Liaison: Gregg Goldman, Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations
• Staff Coordinator: Jason Langworthy

The Governance & Policy Committee oversees and makes recommendations related to policies and processes to ensure the integrity and high performance of the Board.

• Kodi Verhalen (Chair), Janie Mayeron (Vice Chair) 
• Doug Huebsch, Ruth Johnson, Mary Turner, and Penny Wheeler
• Senior Leader Liaison: Brian Steeves, Executive Director and Corporate Secretary
• Staff Coordinator: Jason Langworthy 

The Litigation Review Committee reviews litigation matters and obtains legal advice regarding specific University actions and their legal consequences. The committee determines what matters to refer to the Board for review or approval. The committee typically meets in non-public sessions and consults with the general counsel on cases and claims. 

• Tadd Johnson (Chair), Mary Turner (Vice Chair) 
• Doug Huebsch, Ruth Johnson, Mike Kenyanya, and Janie Mayeron 
• Senior Leader Liaison: Douglas Peterson, General Counsel
• Staff Coordinator: Brian Steeves

The Mission Fulfillment Committee advises the president and administration on academic priorities and the teaching, research, and outreach missions of the University. The committee oversees the University’s admissions practices and enrollment planning, student demographic trends, student affairs and student experience, efforts related to diversity and campus climate, academic program reviews, faculty promotion and tenure, academic medicine, research, and outreach.

• Ruth Johnson (Chair), Mike Kenyanya (Vice Chair)  
• Membership consists of all Regents.
• Senior Leader Liaison: Rachel Croson, Executive Vice President & Provost 
• Staff Coordinator: Maggie Marchesani

The Special Committee on Academic Health will oversee the University’s academic medical enterprise and clinical partnerships. The special committee will build the Board’s understanding and capacity in this area and make recommendations to the Board related to the MPact Health Care Innovation proposal and clinical partnership arrangements. The committee will advise the administration on academic medical strategy and help propel health sciences toward a clinical partnership plan that will champion medical education, improve clinical care, and more fully serve the people of Minnesota.

• Penny Wheeler (Chair), Ruth Johnson (Vice Chair)  
• Doug Huebsch, Janie Mayeron, Mary Turner, and Kodi Verhalen
• Senior Leader Liaison: Jakub Tolar, Vice President for Clinical Affairs & Dean, Medical School
• Staff Coordinator: Jason Langworthy

The Special Committee on Student Affairs will build the Board’s understanding and capacity in student affairs, student wellness, and the student experience. It will enhance oversight in this area and advise the Mission Fulfillment Committee on any items related to student affairs that require the Board’s action this year. The committee will also provide the administration with input on creating and sustaining a positive student experience across the system.

• Mike Kenyanya (Chair), James Farnsworth (Vice Chair)
• Ruth Johnson, Janie Mayeron, Bo Thao-Urabe, and Kodi Verhalen
• Senior Leader Liaison: Calvin Phillips, Vice President for Student Affairs
• Staff Coordinator: Krista Overby

The Special Committee on University Workforce will focus on employee compensation and benefits, employee engagement, and workforce development across the system. The special committee will grow the Board’s understanding of the University’s workforce and advise the Finance & Operations Committee on any items related to the University’s workforce that require the Board’s action this year. The special committee will help the administration chart a financially sustainable course to invest in retaining and rewarding the University's talented faculty and staff.

• Robyn Gulley (Chair) and Tadd Johnson (Vice Chair)
• Mary Davenport, Doug Huebsch, Mary Turner, Penny Wheeler
• Senior Leader Liaison: Ken Horstman, Vice President for Human Resources
• Staff Coordinator: Maggie Marchesani 

The Nominating Committee is established biennially to nominate candidates to serve as Board Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. The committee consists of three Regents appointed by the Board Chair.

The Presidential Performance Review Committee evaluates the president's performance annually to assess outcomes and recommend compensation. The committee consists of Regents appointed by the Board Chair.