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Contact Information

Email: tonya.sautier@emory.edu 

Phone: TBA

Biography

Tonya is the Assistant Vice President and Chief Business Officer for Research.  She leads business and strategic operations for the Senior Vice President for Research office and the Office of Research Administration.

Tonya has more than 25 years of diverse business experience and a track record of success, spanning the areas of accounting and finance, strategic planning, human resources, business operations and process improvement. Tonya most recently served as Senior Business Officer for Research at the University of Miami, where she held various leadership roles over the last 16 years. Prior to that, she worked in corporate financial and business operations roles for Cargill, Royal Caribbean, Johnson & Johnson, DHL, and World Fuel Services.

Tonya holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Florida International University.

Contact Information

Email: sbrow23@emory.edu

Phone: 404-727-4685

Biography

Sheritha is the Director of Business and Finance for Research Business Operations (RBO). She has over 25 years of experience working at all levels of accounting. As the Director, Sheritha manages the work of the finance team, preparing and monitoring financial reports, and improving the financial processes while ensuring the division expenditures are compliant with the University. She also manages administrative staff to ensure the successful completion of day-to-day activities. In Sheritha's former role as manager, she orchestrated the preparation and implementation of a metrics system that enabled a high reduction in error rates for the division. In addition to the decrease in errors, there was an improvement of the processing time for travel expenses, reimbursement,s and invoices. Prior to joining Emory University in 2000, Sheritha worked at SunTrust Bank for eight years.

Contact Information

Email: jbgoff@emory.edu

Phone: 404-727-3419

Biography

James joined Emory in 1999 with a position in the finance division. He began his career in research administration in 2006 as a post-award administrator. He took an interest in the costing environment and began to focus his career in this area. He specializes in calculation of F&A cost rates, compliance issues, fringe benefit rate development, service centers compliance, effort reporting, and analytics. He now leads the Cost Studies and Research Data Analytics teams.

Before coming to Emory, James spent time in the banking industry and several years as a consultant. James has an MBA from Goizueta Business School at Emory University

Contact Information

Email: mmendez@emory.edu

Phone: 404-727-5689

Biography

Recentely appointed, September 1, 2023, as With 18 years of experience at Emory, Maria Mendez is the Division Director for Human Resources and Operations for the Office of Research at Emory University, which supports the Emory strategic framework and the Emory research enterprise.  Maria is the strategic leader for HR and operations, leading a team of five professionals committed to implementing the ORA strategy to recruit and develop a solid and supported workforce through talent acquisition, retention, and engagement of the office’s most valuable asset – the people. 

 Maria is a member of the Senior Leadership Team in Research Administration, leading the OneORA framework, co-leading the Research Administration Services HR Improvement Initiative and collaborating with central offices at Emory driving initiatives to support diversity, equity and inclusion, recruiting, engagement and retention.  Maria strongly believes in creating and promoting a strong culture, using OneORA as a framework to the continuous evolution, growth and partnership and empowering employees to realize their full potential in their careers in Research Administration.

 Prior to Emory, Maria was a senior consultant in Det Norske Veritas, Inc., providing consulting services in quality, environmental, health and safety management systems and assisting industries achieve certifications in compliance to international business standards, such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 18001.    

 Maria holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Biography

Amanda is the Human Resources manager for Research Business Operations (RBO). She is responsible for the management of the human resources function for ORA, including recruitment, talent management, compensation, employee relations, and performance management, among others. Amanda has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Emory College and an Associate of the Arts from Oxford College. She is a Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources and a Certified Compensation Professional. Prior to her role in ORA, she worked in Human Resources for Emory's Advancement and Alumni Engagement division since 2005.

Biography

Adrena is returning to Emory from Georgia State University.  Prior to her time away, Adrena was a Human Resources Associate in the School of Nursing where she managed biweekly timekeeping, payroll, supported recruiting, FMLA and many other areas. She started her Human Resources career in Central HR Data Services where she quickly became a go-to resource for HR professionals across the university, leading training for processing I-9 and student hiring. Prior to Data Services, Adrena joined Emory in July 2015 as a Senior Financial Aid Assistant. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, is a SHRM Certified Professional, and is currently pursuing her MBA at Georgia State University.

Biography

Josheena comes to Emory from Darlington School in Rome, Georgia where she was an Administrative Assistant in the Advanced Facilities department and worked to onboard and train new staff, manage leave tracking and many other duties as assigned. Prior to her time at Darlington, Sheena worked as a tag and title clerk for Floyd County Government.  She is no stranger to Atlanta as she was the Operations Manager at Our House where she managed many functions including accounting, human resources, administrative and operations tasks.  In her early career, she worked as a bank teller. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a minor in Human Resources from Shorter University.

Biography

Shameika is coming to Emory from the City University of New York (CUNY) in New York City where she was a HR Coordinator for their Central Office. In this role she was the Business Partner over the Welcome Center, Financial Aid, and the Registrar where she oversaw their recruitment activities, onboarding, and HRIS staffing updates. Prior to her time at CUNY, Shameika went onto pursue her MBA in Human Resource Management as well as a Human Resources Professional continuing studies certificate.

She began her Human Resources career at Macy’s as a HR Generalist where she was introduced to processing I-9 verifications and onboarding.  In addition to her MBA, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising & Marketing Communications, from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).  We welcome her as our newest Human Resources Specialist.

Biography

George comes to ORA from the Emory Student Center where he served as the Operations Assistant, facilitating events and general operations of the building.  George first came to Emory in 2021, as a COVID-19 Test Site Coordinator, assisting with multiple sites on campus. 

Prior to his time at Emory, he worked as an Air Export Agent and Operations Coordinator – managing logistics and documentation for international shipments, in compliance with legal and dangerous goods regulations. George holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Arts from the University of South Carolina.

Biography

Cindy Cha is the Senior Project Support Specialist for the Office of Research Administration Business Operations (ORABO). She provides project management support and helps all of ORABO implement project management best practices. She holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting and is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Contact Information

Email: dana.simmons@emory.edu

Phone: 404-712-7069

Biography

Dana Simmons is a Financial Analyst with Research Business Operations (RBO). In Dana's role she works with the Director of Business and Finance preparing monthly financial reports. In addition to preparing the monthly financial reports, she processes employee expense reports and invoices. Dana also acts as a back up to the Accountant.

Biography

Shantel McMillan is the Accountant for Research Business Operations (RBO), providing support in accounts payable, catering, purchasing, human resource and event planning. She has a background in hospitality, nonprofit and university settings. Shantel prides herself in being a motivated team member that exudes a positive attitude, demonstrates initiative, and flexibility to achieve maximum productivity.

Contact Information

Email: yolanda.ferrell@emory.edu

Phone: 404-712-9367

Biography

Yolanda transitioned to the Business Operations Team at the beginning of September 2023, after a year and three months with our Human Resources Team.  Prior to that, she came to ORA from Emory Oxford College, where she served as the COVID 19 Test Site Manager, responsible for the planning and execution of the site operations.

Yolanda also served as the supervisor of business operations at Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Hematology, Oncology and Infusion Center. Prior to Emory, Yolanda held numerous appointments in the healthcare arena, including Community Health, American Cancer Society, Wellstar Health Systems, Dekalb Medical Center and Children's Medical Center of Akron, Ohio.

Yolanda is a certified Phlebotomy Technician from the National Healthcareer Association.

Contact Information

Email: tundra.ivy@emory.edu

Phone: 404-727-7854

Biography

Since January 2013, Tundra has worked in various capacities in Research Administration. Currently, she supervises the administrative team in Research Business Operations, is a Project Coordinator for Science Gallery Atlanta, and she provides administrative support to the Office of Clinical Research. With more than 20 years of administrative experience, she prides herself on being detailed-oriented, organized, and always seeking to deliver outstanding customer service.

Contact Information

Email: lyngail.cooper@emory.edu

Phone: 404-712-5915

Biography

Lyngail is a Senior Administrative Assistant for Research Business Operations (RBO). She provides support to Inger Garnett, Director of Strategic Operations, in the Office of Research Administration, Bill Lambert, Associate Vice President of Research Grants & Contracts, and Holly Sommers Assistant Vice President of Research Administration, Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) . Lyngail has extensive experience in Executive Administrative Assistant, Finance and Healthcare. In 2021, she was Awarded "The Admin Dragon Award", for Research Business Operations. Lyngail has a degree in Pre-Nursing and Psychology and studied Business and Healthcare Finance Management.

Contact Information

Email: mwacker@emory.edu

Phone: 404-712-4591

Biography

Maria is a Senior Administrative Assistant for Research Business Operations (RBO). She provides support to Institutional Animal Care, Conflict of Interest, and Institutional Review Board. Prior to joining ORABO, Maria worked in the Office of International Students and Scholar Services (ISSS) for over 11 years. In 2012, she was awarded the Emory University Award of Distinction for her administrative expertise with ISSS. Prior to relocating to the United States, she worked for Jakarta International School in Jakarta, Indonesia, provided administrative support to the Director of Alumni Department.

Maria studied Business Administration at the Polytechnic University of Indonesia in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Biography

Maria is the Assistant Director for Cost Studies, Research Business Operations (RBO). She is responsible for the Uniform Guidance audit report, effort reporting, risk assessments, subrecipient monitoring and certifications, submission of Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reports to the federal government, and other special projects. Maria has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from St. Paul College, Philippines.

Biography

Charet is the Senior Costing Analyst for Cost Studies, Research Business Operations (RBO). She is responsible for service center rate submissions, effort reporting, annual federal fringe analysis and submission, RSTs, labor access, related website updates, and other special projects. Prior to working for Emory University, Charet worked in finance administration and academics for the University of California at UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco,  and UC Office of the President. She has an MBA from Purdue Global University.

Biography

David Brown is a Research Administration Specialist for the Office of Research Administration - Business Operations (ORA-BO). He assists the Office of Research Administration by processing, review, negotiation, and acceptance of sponsored project activities and ensures proper stewardship of awarded funds in compliance with sponsor, federal, state, and University regulations. He holds multiple SRA International certifications pertaining to research administration.

Contact Information

Email: alex.wagner@emory.edu

Phone: 404-727-5385

Biography

Alex serves as the Director of Research Analytics in the Office of the Senior Vice President of Research at Emory University. He leads as small Data Analytics Team that serves as the central funnel for all research data and reporting needs within the research enterprise. Prior to coming to Emory in October 2020, Alex was the Director of Institutional Research at Lesley University and Fisher College in Massachusetts.

His experience with grants as a Principal and Co-Principal Investigator is primarily in the public safety area. While at Fisher College Alex, also led the Center for Leadership in Public Service obtaining grants in the criminal justice and traffic safety areas. Prior to that he served as the Senior Research Analyst and Data Coordinator for the Massachusetts Statistical Analysis Center at the Office of Grants and Research within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security in Massachusetts. There he managed federal and state research projects and grants including grant reporting. He still enjoys maintaining the contacts he made during this time and serves on the International Outreach Committee for the International Association of Crime Analysts as well as the Training Committee for the Massachusetts Association of Crime Analysts. Alex is a proud alumni of Auburn University and the University of Mannheim in Germany.

Contact Information

Email:jygore@emory.edu

Phone: 404-727-9810

Contact Information

Email: shirley.gaskin@emory.edu

Phone: 404-727-3889

Biography

Shirley is the Senior Data Analyst within the Research Data Analytics team at Emory University. With over 30 years of information technology experience, including software development, systems analysis, relational database management (RDBMS), and reporting, she finds her niche in business intelligence and data visualization, where she currently supports the research enterprise.

Before coming to Emory in 2022, Shirley was a senior data analyst at Quality Care for Children, an Atlanta nonprofit agency for children and childcare advocacy. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration at Florida Atlantic University and is a Master of Public Administration (MPA), having concentrated her studies in government/nonprofit management at the Georgia State University –Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.

Contact Information

Email: quyen.truong@emory.edu

Phone: 404-727-1035

Biography

Quyen Truong joined the Research Data Analytics team at Emory University in 2023. She has a background in marketing, nonprofit and university settings. She received her B.A. in Advertising Communications at California State University, Fullerton. When she's not immersed in analyzing data, she can be found traveling to fill up the number of countries she has visited with her camera