Tag Archives: Staff Changes

Sara Bonakdar, Sr. Director of Business Services

An announcement from Kathleen Prunty, Interim Sr. AVP of Finance & Business Services:

I am pleased to announce Sara Bonakdar’s new role as Senior Director of Business Services. On July 1st, Sara will move to the new role and assume expanded responsibilities with oversight of University Risk Management, led by Marla Perez, and Commercial Services, led by Ray Luu, in addition to Strategic Sourcing.

Sara has been at SJSU five years working in a variety of roles within Strategic Sourcing. She currently serves on the systemwide Chief Procurement Officers Association as First Vice President. She has been recognized for several systemwide strategic contracts and is a leader amongst her peers.  Sara Bonakdar holds a MA in International Relations and Affairs from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Shauna Rios, Director Finance Support & Innovation, accepts an expanded role within Finance & Business Services

On July 1st, Shauna will assume expanded responsibilities with oversight of Distribution & Asset Services in addition to her current role. Distribution & Asset Services is directly managed by Sonja Bowsky who has introduced several new technologies and process improvements. The new reporting arrangement will enable Shauna and Sonja to further collaborate on the unit’s continuous improvement plans.

Shauna has been at SJSU for 14 years and was one of the founding members of the Finance Support unit when it formed in 2013. Shauna’s current portfolio includes oversight of the Finance Support team, as well as finance business systems oversight. Alignment of the Finance Support and Distribution & Asset Services teams puts several support services into one unit and allows opportunities for continued process design.

Shauna Rios holds a BA in Liberal Studies from CSU Stanislaus and is a certified Prosci Change Practitioner and Trainer.

New Accountant III Lead – Tax, Student Financial Services, and Asset Management

A message from Director of Accounting Jane Zacchia:

I am pleased to announce Helen Lau has been promoted to Accountant III Lead – Tax, Student Financial Services and Asset Management. Helen is a licensed CPA in the State of California with more than 25 years of experience. She started with SJSU in 2014 as a Tax Specialist and has successfully managed the university’s Unrelated Business Income Tax and Non-Resident Alien Tax reporting. Most recently, Helen has been helping the Student Financial Services Team provide excellent customer service to our students and working with the Plant Accountant in the analysis and determination of capital assets accounting and reporting.

Please join me congratulating Helen to her new position as an Accountant III Lead in Accounting Services.