[Virginia Theological Seminary] Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) is delighted to announce Jacqueline “Jacqui” F. Ballou as the new vice president for finance and operations. Ballou, who is currently the director of finance, planning and operations at the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, will join the VTS community on Sep. 1.

“Jacqui will bring wisdom, extensive experience, and a passion for our mission, as she focuses on oversight of finance, facilities, and information technology,” said the Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, dean and president of VTS. “It is an honor to have Jacqui join us.”

From 2007 to 2013, Ballou worked at Howard University in Washington, D.C., in the Office of the President, Dean of the Chapel and Religious Affairs, where she developed and maintained the department’s operating budget, managed the daily operations of the office, and created and maintained the department’s operating policies and procedures.

Ballou was named salutatorian at North Carolina A&T State University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in accounting. She received her Master of Business Administration in finance and strategic Management from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business in Durham, North Carolina, and she was named valedictorian at Howard University, where she received her Master of Arts in religious studies with concentration in ethics. During her time at Howard she was an Ethical Dimensions of Leadership Program leader as well as a Student Leadership Conference lecturer on business ethics.

As a professionally certified Business Transformation Consultant and certified public accountant, Ballou was selected in 2016 to participate in a six-month intensive Foundation of Leadership Program at Harvard University.

Markham continued: “Jacqui is a delight. She has a love for Jesus, a deep commitment to community, and an eagerness to bring her skill set to the theological education.”