Shared Services in Practice: Benefits, Challenges, and Strategies for Success

Bernadette Hinkle is an accomplished executive with over 25 years of higher education leadership experience in administration, accounting, budgeting, and business services. She excels in building effective teams, implementing innovative solutions, delivering high-level customer service, and strategically aligning resources to support organizational missions. As a certified public accountant, Bernadette demonstrates integrity and stewardship, holding herself to high standards of excellence. Her transformational leadership enables her to manage and streamline complex situations, delivering solid results across all levels of management. Her career spans administrative, strategic, and technical roles in both public and private higher education, including significant contributions at liberal arts institutions, the University of Arkansas System, and West Chester University in Pennsylvania. Bernadette currently operates her consulting firm, Higher Education (HIED) Financial Strategic Services, LLC. She is a higher education thought partner and consultant, independently assisting institutions and senior leadership in solving resource limitations with innovative results. She is an affiliated consultant with NACUBO Consulting and Small College Consulting, LLC. When she is not working, Bernadette enjoys her time either in Naples, Florida and Hot Springs, Arkansas.