Current leader Kara Skinner brings institutional knowledge and proven financial expertise
City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde announced today that she is promoting Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Kara Skinner to the ongoing role as CFO, effective immediately.
Skinner has been a leader in Boulder’s Finance Department since 2017 when she joined the organization as the assistant finance director. She came from Colorado Springs, where she worked in progressively more responsible budget and finance roles from 2006 until 2017. During her last five years with Colorado Springs, Skinner served as the chief financial officer, overseeing a staff of 48 and a $10.6 million budget. Her work experience also includes positions in budget and utilities-related finance roles in Hawaii.
Skinner has a master’s degree from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree from CU Boulder, both in Economics.
In her tenure with Boulder, Skinner has modeled both strategic and nimble leadership while providing solid financial expertise and counsel. She has spearheaded the important work of the Council Financial Strategy Committee, championed significant transparency and accountability improvements to the city’s budget process, helped to draft the Finance Department’s first Strategic Plan, and co-led the renewal of the Community Culture and Safety Tax. Twice, she stepped up to lead the budget process due to staffing transitions.
“Kara has a strong vision for the future of the city’s financial strategy and Finance Department, and she has demonstrated the ability to lead staff teams effectively and compassionately through significant change,” Rivera-Vandermyde said. “This role is critically important to our organization, and I’m excited to see Kara assume this new level of leadership on an ongoing basis.”
“I am honored to be offered this permanent role and to continue leading an incredible team of talented, dedicated professionals. I look forward to working closely with council, Nuria, Chris Meschuk and senior leaders on financial strategies to meet community priorities, building on our progress toward greater financial transparency, and continuing to ensure we have effective financial systems and controls in place,” Skinner said.