Finance VP Steps Down

Elizabeth Mora, a 10-year Mass. Hall veteran who currently oversees Harvard’s budget and financial planning, will step down as vice president for finance in May, the University announced yesterday.

In its press release, the University notably omitted any reason for Mora’s resignation, which will take place in mid-May, rather than on July 1, when administrative changeovers often occur.

Dan Shore, who is now director of budgets and financial planning, will replace Mora in an interim capacity.

University spokesman John D. Longbrake said that Shore would only serve as “acting chief financial officer,” leaving the vice president post temporarily vacant.

Mora’s resignation comes at a time of increasing flux in the University’s highest administrative positions.

Last September, University President Drew G. Faust appointed her former Radcliffe colleague Tamara E. Rogers ’74 as vice president for alumni affairs and development after asking for the resignation of Donella M. Rapier, who had been appointed by former University President Lawrence H. Summers.

Faust has also announced the creation of an “executive vice president” position, though she is several months behind her originally-stated deadline in filling this post.

During her tenure as vice president, which began in 2006, Mora worked on a wide variety of projects, including financial modeling for Allston and renegotiation of reimbursement rates for Harvard research, according to the University’s statement.

Mora’s resignation means that Faust will now have up to three positions to fill in the central administration.

In addition to naming a new vice president for finance and the first-ever executive vice president, Faust will also have to name a replacement for Alan J. Stone, Harvard’s vice president for government, community, and public affairs, when he steps down in July.

When asked about plans to find a permanent replacement for Mora, Longbrake did not provide details.

“A search will begin soon,” he said, adding that it would likely be announced in the next few weeks.

Mora and Shore declined requests for comment through a University spokesman, and Faust did not return a request for comment last night.

—Staff writer Clifford M. Marks can be reached at cmarks@fas.harvard.edu.

—Staff writer Nathan C. Strauss can be reached at strauss@fas.harvard.edu.