UVAFinance welcomes Sarah Fleming

This January, the Office of the Vice President for Finance welcomed Sarah Fleming into the role of Special Assistant to the Associate Vice Presidents for Finance. In this new position, Fleming provides administrative support for AVPs Bill Ashby and Augie Maurelli, as well as assistance on special projects, material for the Board of Visitors, and the quarterly financial reporting process.

Fleming’s background at UVA makes the marriage of project work and administrative organization this role requires a good fit. As she puts it, she “grew up” at UVA, beginning with executive assistant role in Student Affairs, and then moving into event planning and eventually an HR generalist role within that department.

The Flemings (photo by Adam Mohr,
 asm photography.  https://asmphotography.smugmug.com/)

Her 16 years in varied roles allowed her to grow as a professional, both in giving form and process to key administrative tasks that aren’t always simple, as well as getting into the details with the human side of work, filling staffing needs and giving candidates a good experience.

Fortunately, Fleming is also familiar with change. She recalls her experience with the Ufirst project as an important learning moment in her career. The transition, she says, ended up being a pivotal time for her to cultivate confidence in her skills and develop her voice as an advocate for good processes.

“Change is an emotional ride,” she acknowledges.

“There are definitely stages we all go through with change, and although I’m a realist, I tend to have a hopeful, big-picture view,” she says, adding “and I get some satisfaction from accomplishing something difficult.”

As special assistant to two executives who are themselves new, Fleming’s experience with change and complex issues will likely come in handy, especially as UVA heads into Phase 3 of Finance Strategic Transformation.

Fleming has found her new team to be warm and welcoming, and not afraid to ask questions (she notes this as a good thing, since she has lots of those herself).

When she isn’t settling into her new role, Fleming and her husband Drew and their two daughters Meredith (10) and Caroline (13) enjoy outdoor pursuits such as camping, hiking, and a nice fire. The family’s time outdoors has health benefits other than physical, Fleming notes.

“A little time outside tends to dissolve a lot of internal friction, too.”