CAL POLY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate Executive Director
Andrea Burns brings a deep background in sales finance, strategy, business development, and process improvement to the role of associate executive director. In her role, Andrea oversees new business development support, Campus Dining, University Store, Cal Poly Downtown, and Conference and Event Planning. Andrea is the Corporation's liaison to ASI and is serving as co-advisor for Cal Poly Women In Business. She co-leads the University Store advisory committee and serves on the Campus Dining advisory committee and the University landscape and safety committees.
Her experience working across multiple lines of business, working with front-line employees and customers, project management, and productivity optimization is a great asset to the Corporation.
"Every day I have the opportunity to interact with students, faculty, and staff and improve their experience on campus. I enjoy working cross functionally across campus to enhance our public spaces, indoor and out. Our amazing climate, campus and students make this job fun and extremely rewarding."
Job Titles:
- Member of the Investment Advisory Committee
- Member / Business and Finance Advisory Committee
As the CEO of the Cal Poly Corporation, Cody VanDorn is responsible for the day-to-day operation of its programs and services, and strategically working with the board of directors, university leadership, and student body to collectively enhance the Cal Poly experience.
He holds a finance degree from Cal Poly and is a graduate from the Stanford Project Management program.
Dan Banfield joined the Corporation in 2015 as the controller and now serves as Chief Financial Officer. In this role, he oversees the day-to-day financial operations of the Corporation. He has spent a career in public accounting, working primarily in Southern California for a variety of organizations and industries, including the California State University system. A Central Coast native, Dan holds a master's degree in accounting from Brigham Young University and is a licensed CPA.
Job Titles:
- Associate Executive Director of Marketing & Communications
Ellen spent 20-plus years working on some of the world's top brands as a copywriter, creative director, social media director and agency owner before joining the Corporation in 2015. She now leads the planning, development and implementation of all marketing and communications programs for university food services, stores and other corporation activities. Ellen has received more than 200 major awards for her work's creativity and effectiveness.
She holds a bachelor's in communication from Boston University and a master's in strategic communication management from Concordia University-St. Paul.
"The Corporation supports so many important efforts at Cal Poly. I am excited to be part of this dynamic organization and share our programs and initiatives with the campus community and beyond."
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director, Campus Dining
Jess joined Cal Poly Corporation as the director of Campus Dining in April 2020 with more than 20 years of higher education food management experience. In that time, he oversaw the operation of 11 campus dining programs including serving as the director of the Whitworth University and Gonzaga University culinary programs. Jess is responsible for leading the Campus Dining operations and strategic planning.
"Food is a very personal part of everyone's life. It is not only sustenance, it's also community, relationships, health and so much more. Each day I have the opportunity to support my staff in creating culinary fare and experiences for all Cal Poly community members to savor. And I love that the Corporation offers me that opportunity."
Job Titles:
- Associate Executive Director, Real Estate Development and Services
In his role Jim oversees all stages of real estate acquisition, development, management, and disposal for CPC owned or leased properties including commercial, residential, and agricultural uses. Jim has over 25 years of work experience and possess a unique background in real estate development, research administration, intellectual property/commercialization, economic development, and strategic partnership development. He holds a bBachelor of Science degree in Environmental Sciences from University of California at Santa Barbara and a Masters of Business Administration from Butler University
"I am proud to be part of Cal Poly and the opportunity to build both physical and programmatic infrastructure that enables our already excellent students to become outstanding people and scholars."
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Investment Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Investment Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Audit Committee
Job Titles:
- Director, Human Resources
Tiffany started her role as Human Resources director in September 2022 and brought decades of experience from national and global companies. She has worked extensively with executive leaders and leadership teams to drive business transformation and growth through innovative people practices. A certified mindfulness and meditation coach, Tiffany leverages mindfulness and meditation practices to create resilient, focused, collaborative and change-ready corporate environments.
She has an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, and a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.
"I am honored to be part of the Cal Poly Corporation and be of service to the Cal Poly community. In Human Resources we have the opportunity to enhance each employee's experience and partner to support a culture where all students and employees thrive. This inspires me every day!"