Innovating Treasury Operations in Higher Education: Lessons from Denise Laussade

In this episode of Where Public Finance Works, we explore the remarkable career of Denise Laussade, a distinguished leader in university treasury operations with roles at both Purdue University and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). 

Join host Tyler Traudt as he uncovers the deep-seated love for dance and music that has been a guiding force in Denise’s life. These artistic passions have seamlessly intertwined with her career in finance, providing a unique perspective.

Denise’s professional journey spans different industries, from futures trading in oil, gold, and silver at Texaco to handling a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the retail and manufacturing sectors. During her 13 years at Purdue University, Denise served as Director of Treasury Operations, where she oversaw cash management, investment partnerships, and debt issuance. Her tenure there deepened her expertise in municipal debt and compliance, while she played a vital role in maintaining the University’s financial health by freezing tuition rates and optimizing financial strategies.

Denise’s journey then led her to VCU, where she embraced the role of Treasurer. She shares insights into the unique challenges of managing finances in a smaller, more constrained environment, including the innovative establishment of a quasi-endowment to strengthen VCU’s financial stability. Throughout the episode, Denise highlights the importance of innovation, imagination, and adaptability in the world of finance.

 

Featured Guest

Denise Laussade is a finance professional with a distinguished career in higher education treasury operations. Her most recent role was as Treasurer at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she was responsible for managing debt, investments, cash, and collections for a university serving over 30,000 students. Her tenure at VCU was marked by her strategic approach to financial management, which included the innovative use of quasi-endowments to bolster VCU's financial stability.

Prior to VCU, Denise spent nearly 15 years at Purdue University, where she served as the Senior Director of Treasury Operations. At Purdue, she oversaw a broad spectrum of treasury functions, including daily cash management, banking relationships, and credit card services.

In addition to her roles in higher education, Denise has held leadership positions at Darden Restaurants and Dan River Inc., where she honed her skills in corporate finance and strategic planning. Her diverse background and commitment to continuous improvement have made her a respected leader and mentor in the finance community.

 

Episode Resources:

• Debt Service Calculator for Tax-Exempt Bonds
• Strategies for Financing New Municipal Capital Projects
• Bank Fee Management: Challenges & Insights for Treasury Teams