Jesse Pearson

Jesse Pearson serves as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) at the University of Minnesota. Pearson provides strategic financial leadership and organizational alignment, working collaboratively with the CLA fiscal administration team, academic leaders, and faculty and staff across the college. 

Pearson brings more than two decades of progressive leadership experience spanning higher education and corporate finance, including roles at Lehigh University, Temple University, Drexel University, and Independence Blue Cross. He holds a BA in Accounting from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA in Finance from Drexel University. His expertise includes financial modeling, Responsibility Center Management (RCM), policy development, and strategic planning that drives institutional success.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Pearson is dedicated to developing the next generation of organizational leaders, expanding his impact on the community at large, and creating a legacy of honor and dignity. A husband and father of five, he is also a five-time half-marathon finisher and (one time) stand-up comedian who brings composure, engagement, and authentic leadership to every endeavor.