Meet Jessica Lewis, UC Davis’ New Budget Operations Director
Jessica Lewis, a UC Davis alumna and employee of nearly 20 years, is stepping into a new leadership role as director of Budget Operations within Budget and Institutional Analysis, or BIA.
Over the years, Lewis has worked in enrollment management, payroll, academic personnel and budget administration. Her career has spanned both academic and administrative units, beginning in Continuing and Professional Education, followed by more than a decade in the College of Letters and Science, and the past seven years with BIA.
This varied experience has given her a well-rounded understanding of how the campus operates and how budget decisions affect different units, which has been invaluable to her work.
“Having worked on the academic side helped me connect with the units I supported,” Lewis explained. “They knew I understood their challenges.”
In her new position, Lewis will lead the Budget Operations team, previously managed by Terrence Ireland, who is retiring in December 2025. Lewis will report to BIA's Associate Vice Chancellor, Sarah Mangum, and work closely with Laurie Carney, director of the Program Budget and Policy team.
“Jessica brings a tremendous depth of institutional knowledge and a genuine commitment to collaboration,” said Mangum. “Her experience across both academic and administrative units gives her a unique perspective that will help the campus navigate new fiscal challenges and continue to strengthen budgeting processes.”
As she transitions into the role, Lewis is focused on helping her team and the campus navigate ongoing fiscal challenges. “We’re in a complex time financially, so my immediate goal is to help the university adapt and move forward collaboratively," she said.
Lewis is also eager to expand the campus’s use of Aggie Enterprise Planning, a financial planning tool that launched in 2024. “The conversion process was a big lift,” she said. “Now that more users are comfortable with the system, we can focus on fully utilizing its functionality and enhancing reports to meet user needs.”
Collaboration, Lewis noted, has always been a cornerstone of her approach. “In BIA, we work closely with campus units when rolling out new tools or processes. We always look for feedback and ways to streamline workflows,” she said.
A recent example is the Course Material and Services Fee project, where her team partnered with departments to simplify the review process for new fees and provide easy access to reports. “We’re always looking for opportunities like that — to make things more efficient not only for us, but for the campus as a whole,” Lewis said.
Outside of work, Lewis’ life is full of family and activity. She and her husband have three sons, all under 10, who keep her busy with sports and school events, as well as a 13-year-old dog.
“That’s where all my free time goes,” she said with a laugh. “When we can, we love heading up to Tahoe to recharge.”
Asked how coworkers might describe her, Lewis said, “I think they’d call me a team player, someone who’s approachable and always willing to help. We overlap and collaborate a lot in BIA, so teamwork really defines how we operate.”
Reflecting on her career, Lewis expressed gratitude for the mentors and colleagues who’ve supported her journey.
“I’ve been lucky to work with some amazing people," she said. "I’m grateful for the opportunities UC Davis has given me, and I’m excited to continue growing in this leadership role.”