Meet the Speakers

2025 Women's Leadership Forum Pre-Conference Workshop

Stephani Langehennig

Dr. Stefani Langehennig is an assistant professor of the practice in the Business Information & Analytics department at the University of Denver’s (DU) Daniels College of Business. She also co-directs the Center for Analytics and Innovation with Data (CAID) and helps lead the MSBA Capstone Program at DU. She teaches courses on Python programming, data mining and visualization, frequentist statistics, and project management. Stefani worked as a lead data scientist in consulting firms in London and the U.S., helping organizations build analytics teams, evaluate, and implement data analytics solutions. Stefani has published academic articles on topics such as the impact of data transparency on political behavior, legislative policy capacity, the diffusion of environmental policy, and the influence of political indicators on state-level lawmaker behavior.

2025 Women's Leadership Forum

 Leslie Brunelli

Leslie Brunelli is the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer at Washington State University. In this role, Leslie manages the financial and physical assets of the WSU system, including all aspects of the university’s financial and capital planning, information technology services, human resources, compliance and risk management, and real estate portfolio. With more than 28 years in higher education financial leadership at five institutions, she previously served in CFO roles at the University of Denver and at the University of South Carolina. Leslie is a frequent presenter for NACUBO, SACUBO and WACUBO and has been a mentor to finance professionals at many institutions. She earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s in business administration from the University of South Carolina.

 Rhiannon Calkins

Rhiannon Calkins is a Certified Administrative Professional with over 15 years of experience working with leadership groups. Her passion is to help others find their success. Her work in the banking, non-profit, and higher education industries has given her a unique insight into the culture of very different organizations. One thing remains constant however, and that is employees’ need to feel connected to the work they are doing and to feel valued. Rhiannon is a life-long Alaska resident and has been married to her husband Dan for over 17 years. When she’s not helping those around her succeed, she can be found doing bead work, drinking excessive amounts of coffee, reading a good book, or watching her favorite TV shows or movies.

 Teresa Costantinidis

Teresa Costantinidis serves as the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration at the University of New Mexico, where she oversees finance, human resources, information technology, campus safety, and strategic initiatives. With over 35 years of leadership in higher education, she collaborates with senior leaders to advance UNM's mission through innovative and operational excellence. Previously, Teresa was Vice Chancellor and CFO at the University of California San Francisco, leading campus budgeting, risk management, and enterprise-wide decision-making. At UC Berkeley, she held leadership roles in the campus budget office and in business operations for the Berkeley Business School. An active community contributor, Teresa serves on several boards, including the New Mexico Finance Authority, Risk Management Advisory Board, Harwood Museum of Art, New Mexico Public Broadcasting Service and Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance. She holds an MBA from UC Berkeley and a BS in Biological Sciences from UC Davis. Teresa is known for her ability to transform challenges into opportunities and inspire strategic partnerships.

 Mary Gutierrez

Dr. Mary Gutierrez is the Chancellor of University of New Mexico-Taos (UNM-Taos), where she is committed to student success, equity, and inclusive leadership. Since joining the college in August 2021, Dr. Gutierrez has led initiatives focused on guided pathways, career and technical programs, building a supportive campus environment, and capital projects. Under her leadership, UNM-Taos has implemented the Caminos de la Cumbre pathways program and increased retention rates by 20% to over 70% college-wide, including 84% among Native American students. Before joining UNM-Taos, Dr. Gutierrez served as Vice President of Instruction at Diablo Valley College (CA) and held dean roles at Skyline College (CA) and Cascadia College (WA). She earned a doctorate in educational leadership, focused on equity and institutional change, from San Francisco State University.

 Andrea Lee Miller

Andrea Lee Miller is an experienced business professional with over 17 years in higher education. She holds an MBA, serves as the Business Manager of University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Information Technology Services, and is the current Vice President of UAA Staff Council. A recipient of UAA’s 2022 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence, Andrea is driven by the conviction that everyone has the power to transform lives, one small moment at a time. Her enthusiasm for experience management and strategic planning bolsters her commitment to the transformational impact of education. Beyond her professional pursuits, Andrea is an avid artist and micro-adventurer. She spends her free time drawing, sewing, attempting to keep various plants alive, and exploring the Alaskan backcountry with her spouse, toddler, and Shiba Inu, Taimi.

 Mary Lou D. Ortiz

Mary Lou D. Ortiz is the chief financial officer and vice chancellor for Finance and Administration at the University of California, Irvine. She manages a large, $6.7 billion operating budget and a $2.3 billion capital expenditure budget, ensuring responsible allocation of public and private financial resources to meet objectives including the health enterprise (health sciences and medical center). Mary Lou has broad experience leading administrative and financial operations at public and private research universities, strengthening those operations to best support the needs of each institution’s core programs. She held leadership roles at the Pennsylvania State University, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Princeton University, and Columbia University prior to her current position at UC Irvine. In addition to her higher education experience, she was the senior director of budget and financial planning at the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a global humanitarian aid, relief and development nongovernmental organization, where she oversaw the annual operating budget for the IRC’s 26 overseas offices and affiliates and 32 domestic operations. Mary Lou earned her MBA, M.P.A., and B.A. from Columbia University, and is a candidate for the doctorate in education in Penn State’s higher education program.

Sara Reed

Dr. Sara Reed is a retired military officer with over 25 years of experience in leadership, management, organizational change, and leadership development. Through her service in higher education and the military, she has led diverse teams throughout the globe. Currently, she serves as the Vice President of People & Talent at Western Governors University, where she leads a team of trusted HR professionals and strategic partners to advance WGU’s mission and key results. Prior to that role, she served in different leadership capacities within higher education, including at a large urban community college and two large research institutions. Sara is a passionate advocate for higher education, especially in the areas of leadership and advancing equity, with the goal of helping people find their pathway to opportunity and see and reach their potential. Prior to her transition to higher education, she served as an active-duty military officer and is now retired from the United States Air Force. She earned her doctorate from Drexel University, MA.Ed. from California State University – Sacramento, M.S. from Troy State, and BA from University of Minnesota and has earned the SHRM-Senior Certified Professional credential. She is married, is mother to three children, & is most often found with a book in her hand or in her ear, and is dedicated to lifelong learning and sharing that learning with others.

Rose Reza

After working for 28 years in various executive positions throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Spain, and Mexico, Rose Reza returned to her native home of New Mexico in 2014. She soon found inspiration as the Executive Director of the Taos Entrepreneurial Network, dedicating her time to assisting local entrepreneurs with merchandising, operations, and access to funding streams. In 2019, Rose was invited to join the University of New Mexico-Taos (UNM-Taos) HIVE initiative and, soon after, was hired to transform this idea into a reality. The HIVE officially opened its doors in June 2021 with a mission to develop a tech inclusive ecosystem while launching the first incubator/accelerator for small businesses and tech startups in northern New Mexico. The HIVE has served thousands of community members with digital up-skilling, reading and writing support, and programs that empower both youth and adults to bridge the digital divide.

Rose was named a Woman of Influence by New Mexico Business First, and she was the 3rd recipient and first Latina to be honored with the Sam M. Walton Entrepreneurial Award. Rose and her team are committed to working with northern New Mexico communities to foster creative learning opportunities that engage with what is possible while inspiring dynamic growth and positive change.

 Amy Shuman

Amy Shuman serves as the Executive Director of Staff Coaching and Professional Development for the Division of Student Affairs at UC Davis. She has a master's degree in leadership from University of the Pacific, is a Gallup advanced certified Strengths coach, and a professional certified coach with the International Coach Federation. Amy is particularly passionate about leadership and empowering people to create a positive workplace culture by maximizing their strengths.

Amy's Top 5 CliftonStrengths: Communication, Competition, Maximizer, Significance, Focus