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Vice Principal Academic & Dean

Ianessa Quinon

Ianessa Quinon
Senior Financial Officer
Email
ianessa.quinon@utoronto.ca

Biography

Key Responsibilities:

  • Provides financial support and expertise to the 16 academic units and 6 supporting units within the Vi ce-Principal Academic & Dean’s (VP Dean) Portfolio 

  • Responsible for the financial management of budgets that include planning, analysis and forecasting for the VP Dean’s and Vice-Deans' accounts. This includes the funding for the various initiatives headed by the Vice-Deans, such as Pedagogies of Inclusive Excellence (PIE), Experiential Learning Fund (ELF), Pedagogical/Professional Development Grant (PPG), Professional Academic Coaching Fund (PACF), etc. 

  • Works with academic units to review and assess their departmental TA and Stipend needs, search and moving cost needs, Chair’s expense claims, sponsorship requests, category 5 ancillary fees, faculty part-time appointments, spousal appointments, faculty loan supports, and other funding supports being requested from the OVPD

  • Supports the annual budget process by liaising with the different units under the VP Dean’s portfolio, and reviewing and compiling requests and required backup documentations as needed 

  • Provides financial expertise for the VP Dean’s Office including guidance with financial policies and processes, procurement, etc. 

Ianessa is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) with valuable experience in financial services in non-profit institutions. As Senior Financial Officer, she works closely with the Manager Academic Finance and the Managers and Business Officers of the academic units on various financial projects and is the first point of contact for all financial queries coming to the Office of the Vice-Principal Academic and Dean. She oversees the financial management of budgets that include strategic planning, analysis and forecasting for the Dean and Vice-Dean accounts.

 

7 Questions with Senior Financial Officer, Ianessa Quinon

  1. What can you tell us about a project you are currently working on? As we have just closed out the fiscal year, I am now preparing our accounts for new and upcoming projects and initiatives for 2023-24. Around this time, we are busy making sure funding transfers are completed to get the departments up and running with all the exciting plans ahead!
  2. If you had to define yourself in three words, what would they be? Dedicated, efficient and collaborative.
  3. What do you enjoy most about your role? Being able to work closely with the Managers and Business Officers of the different units under the Dean’s Portfolio is something that I deeply enjoy about this role. I get to exercise my financial and technical expertise but at the same time, I am able to provide advice and learn about the challenges being encountered by the different units. What makes the job exciting is that I learn something new every day! The Dean’s Office receives all types of queries that there’s no limit to the knowledge I’m able to gain in the role. I love the idea that our team is able to provide support on all the important projects and initiatives that the Dean’s Office puts forward as well.
  4. Why U of T Scarborough?  It’s the people. My colleagues, the faculty members and the students that I see every day. I feel a sense of belonging in this vibrant community and people are always ready to help and provide support when needed. The lunch walks in the valley are a bonus too!
  5. What important lesson have you learned in your current role? That there’s a deeper meaning beyond the numbers I see every day. There’s a lot of work behind any project or initiative and that each of us have our own expertise which contributes to the success of UTSC as a whole.
  6. What is the one thing people likely do not know about you?I was a competitive swimmer during my university days! It’s a sport I continue to love and it has taught me focus and discipline at a young age. Now that I have two little boys, I teach them to swim as well during our free time. 
  7. Which movie, book, or show makes you laugh the most? There’s a lot that comes to mind! I like funny, light series or K-dramas. I just finished Queen Charlotte, a beautiful story by Shonda Rhimes, and then I just started watching another series, Crash Course in Romance. It definitely helps me de-stress after a day’s work.

<June 2023>