PATH names Olivia Polius as chief financial officer
Contact:
Amy MacIver, 206.302.4522, amaciver@path.org
Claire Hudson, 206.302.4521, chudson@path.org.
Olivia Polius is PATH’s new chief financial officer. Photo: Natasha W Portrait.
Seattle, June 5, 2013—PATH announced today that Olivia Polius will join its executive team as chief financial officer. Most recently, Ms. Polius served as deputy director, global program services, at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The depth of Ms. Polius’ experience leading financial operations for private-sector companies, combined with her knowledge of the global health and development sector, uniquely position her to oversee PATH’s finances.
As PATH’s new chief financial officer, Ms. Polius will be responsible for managing PATH’s annual budget of US$334 million through supervising financial management and reporting, business process and systems improvement, investment management, budgeting and planning, and internal auditing. She will work strategically with staff at PATH’s headquarters and in offices in 21 countries globally to execute financial operations that utilize next-generation practices. Ms. Polius will join PATH’s Seattle office in June 2013 and report directly to PATH’s president and CEO, Steve Davis.
“I am thrilled to welcome Olivia Polius, the newest member of PATH’s executive leadership team,” said Mr. Davis. “I am confident that her strategic leadership style will ensure PATH’s business operations grow to successfully navigate the shifting dynamics in the development and global health landscape. Forward-thinking financial leadership is critical as PATH seeks to accelerate public health impact for communities around the world.”
At the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Ms. Polius managed the team responsible for implementing an innovative operating model that focused on creating greater strategic integration among the organization’s programs. In her roles as senior vice president, finance; senior director, corporate planning; and director, financial planning and business analysis at Attachmate, Ms. Polius managed global financial operations as well as merger planning and integration, ensuring that two mergers over two years were executed smoothly. Prior to her work at Attachmate, Ms. Polius held financial management positions at WRQ Software Europe, Bsquare Corporation, Arthur Andersen, and as an independent financial consultant for start-up companies.
“I am honored to join PATH as chief financial officer,” said Ms. Polius. “PATH’s work to address global health challenges is underpinned by strong financial leadership practices, and I look forward to contributing my skills to the organization’s mission.”
Ms. Polius has served as board member, finance committee chair, and treasurer for Facing the Future, a nonprofit that creates educational tools to help students develop critical thinking skills and build global awareness. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington and earned her Certified Public Accountant certification in Washington State.