David Pappone named 2026 Notable Chief Financial Officer by Twin Cities Business

Longtime CSE leader recognized for strategic financial leadership and operational innovation

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (08/12/2026) - University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering (CSE) Assistant Dean for Operations and Chief Financial Officer David Pappone has been named a 2026 Notable Chief Financial Officer by Twin Cities Business. Pappone is currently serving as the University’s interim vice provost for academic strategy and budget.

Pappone was one of 13 chief financial officers named across the Twin Cities. Honorees were selected for their ability to drive organizational growth, manage financial complexity and identify opportunities for innovation.

In 18 years with the CSE, Pappone has come to manage a $580 million-plus annual budget and direct a team of 80. Recently, he redesigned business processes, governance and staffing structures while shepherding more than $400 million in critical capital infrastructure financing and finding innovative ways to streamline administrative work.

“Dave possesses a rare ability to translate high-level strategic blueprints into highly efficient daily operations,” said College of Science and Engineering Dean Andrew Alleyne. “He is a premier example of an ethical servant-leader who systematically distills complex institutional crises down to their root causes, then executes effective solutions.”

That combination of strategic thinking and execution has increasingly extended beyond CSE. Pappone was recently appointed interim vice provost for academic strategy and budget by Executive Vice President and Provost Gretchen Ritter, taking on a University-wide role focused on complex financial and strategic issues.

Throughout his work, Pappone has emphasized collaboration, transparency and finding new approaches to increasingly complex challenges in higher education. His leadership has helped CSE strengthen operations while continuing to invest in the people, infrastructure and capabilities needed to advance its teaching and research mission.

Beyond the University, Pappone has contributed his financial and leadership expertise to the broader Minnesota community, including service as vice president of the River Market Community Co-op Board of Directors and as a volunteer at his child’s school.