Dan Stephens joins George Mason as vice president for finance

Dan Stephens has been named vice president for finance at George Mason University, effective December 4, following a national search. Stephens will succeed Sharon Heinle, who will retire in January 2025.

Reporting to Deb Dickenson, executive vice president for finance and administration, the vice president for finance is a key part of George Mason’s financial leadership team, providing strategic oversight of financial transactions, accounting, budget, procurement, and compliance. 

“We are delighted to welcome Dan to our team,” Dickenson said. “His extensive experience is a perfect match for the opportunities and challenges our university faces, as we continue our pursuit of additional revenue sources and enhanced efficiency, while working to improve funding equity and develop a new budget model.”

Stephens comes to George Mason with more than 35 years of senior financial leadership experience. He most recently served as the chief financial officer of the University of West Georgia Foundations, after seven years as vice president for finance and administration for Illinois State University. Stephens has also served in senior financial officer roles at the University of North Texas System, University of Idaho, Central Michigan University, and with two private institutions, in addition to his private-sector experience.

Stephens takes on the role from Heinle, who has been an integral part of George Mason’s Fiscal Services since she arrived as controller in 2020. Assuming her current role as vice president for finance in 2022, Heinle led significant improvements in the university’s financial reporting, transparency, and modernization of systems and processes, including the successful redesign of its Chart of Accounts.

“I would also like to thank Sharon for her tremendous impact on George Mason over the last five years,” Dickenson said. “She has been a respected and collaborative leader for so many across our university, and we are in a better place due to her leadership.”

Stephens and Heinle will share a period of overlap to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of operations.