Meet our Chief Financial Officer
Deidre (Dee) Henne
We earn stakeholder trust by leading with financial transparency and purpose. Through collaborative resource planning and budgeting, we champion financial excellence and long-term sustainability—all in support of mission in teaching, research, and discovery.
Deidre (Dee) Henne, Chief Financial Officer
The CFO works collaboratively with colleges, schools, administrative units, senior leadership, and governance bodies to advance the university's financial health and strategic goals. Through partnership, consultation, and financial leadership, the CFO helps align resources with institutional priorities while fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and informed decision-making.
Portfolio
The CFO portfolio is comprised of three units within the Strategic Finance Office that work collaboratively to support the university's financial health, strategic priorities, operational effectiveness, and long-term sustainability. They include:
Role of the Strategic Finance Office
The Strategic Finance Office provides visionary financial leadership across the University of Saskatchewan, supporting institutional excellence through strategic resource planning, budgeting, financial reporting, and enterprise risk management.
The Chief Financial Officer also serves as a key board or subcommittee representative on many of USask’s affiliated subsidiaries and entities offering support leadership and oversight.
Leads the development of institutional financial strategies that align with the university’s mission, vision, and strategic plan—focusing on cost-effective capital financing, revenue diversification, operational efficiency, and long-term financial sustainability.
Partners with senior leaders to foster financial accountability, sustainability, and innovative practices that strengthen the university’s fiscal health and institutional agility. Helps ensure financial practices align with relevant regulations, policies, and ethical standards.
Advances resource allocation frameworks to reflect university priorities, promoting cross-campus alignment and ensuring efficient and intentional use of funding across colleges, schools, and administrative units.
Builds and manages annual and multi-year budget models that align operational needs with strategic objectives, while providing quarterly performance updates and insights.
Fosters collaboration across the university to identify and manage risks that could impact our mission. Anchored on our strategy, through risk planning and shared accountability we promote resilience, transparency, and informed decisions-making.
Oversees the preparation and execution of the university's annual financial audits. Leads the creation of the university’s annual financial report. Serves as the primary connection between USask and the Board of Governors’ appointed Chief Audit Executive.
USask finances
Our financial policies and processes are thoughtfully designed to align with the university’s broader strategic goals. By fostering transparency and accountability, we empower campus leaders to manage funding responsibly ensuring financial decisions are both prudent and sustainable for the long term.
Financial planning and reporting cycle
USask’s financial cycle ensures strategic alignment and transparency through annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, and comprehensive reporting. Budget development runs from September to March, engaging leaders across colleges and units. Quarterly forecasts guide decision-making and risk management, culminating in an audited annual report tabled in the provincial legislature.
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