Leslie Kirwan
Encyclopedia
Leslie A. Kirwan is an American government official and college administrator who currently serves as the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean for Administration and Finance at Harvard University
.
, Kirwan earned an A.B. from Harvard
-Radcliffe
in 1979 and a Master of Public Policy degree from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government
in 1984.
In this position she served as the Office's second in command and assisted Baker in a wide variety of issues, which included coordinating the state's revenue optimization effort and leading the Office's relations with local government.
(Massport). As Director of Administration and Finance, she served as Massport's Chief Financial Officer, leading an 80-person department responsible for all of the Authority's financial duties. She also led Massport's financial recovery following the September 11 attacks.
announced that Kirwan would be his Secretary Administration and Finance. She was the first person to be named to Patrick's cabinet and the first women to serve as Secretary of Administration and Finance. As Secretary of Administration and Finance, Kirwan managed over 2,500 state employees and was responsible for preparing the governor’s budget recommendation, developing and analyzing fiscal policy, developing the Commonwealth’s capital budget, and monitoring and managing the state government's budgetary activities. She also oversaw the activities of more than in agencies and divisions ranging from the Department of Revenue to the Divisions of Human Resources and Information Technology.
. She testified that DiMasi had an unusually persistent interest in the Commonwealth's acquisition of a data-collection software package from Cognos
. Kirwan stated that she believed that it was not right time for the government to purchase such as package and that the $15 million asking price was too much, but eventually purchased the software for a reduced price of $13 million in an effort to appease DiMasi.
's Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Michael D. Smith
announced that Kirwan become the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean for Administration and Finance effective November 2, 2009.
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
Early life
A native of Cambridge, MassachusettsCambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
, Kirwan earned an A.B. from Harvard
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
-Radcliffe
Radcliffe College
Radcliffe College was a women's liberal arts college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was the coordinate college for Harvard University. It was also one of the Seven Sisters colleges. Radcliffe College conferred joint Harvard-Radcliffe diplomas beginning in 1963 and a formal merger agreement with...
in 1979 and a Master of Public Policy degree from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
in 1984.
Department of Revenue
In 1985, Kirwan joined the Massachusetts Department of Revenue as a manager in the Division of Local Services. In this role she oversaw the management of local budgets, the distribution of local aid, and coordinated state response to local financial emergencies. From 1991 to 1995 she was the Department's deputy commissioner.Undersecretary Administration and Finance
In 1995, Kirwan moved to the Office of Administration and Finance, where she was the undersecretary/chief of staff to Charles D. Baker, Jr.Charles D. Baker, Jr.
Charles Duane "Charlie" Baker, Jr. , is an American businessman and politician from Massachusetts. He was a cabinet official under two Massachusetts governors, spent ten years as CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, and was the Republican candidate in the 2010 Massachusetts gubernatorial...
In this position she served as the Office's second in command and assisted Baker in a wide variety of issues, which included coordinating the state's revenue optimization effort and leading the Office's relations with local government.
Massport
From 1997 to 2004, Kirwan was the Director of Administration and Finance at the Massachusetts Port AuthorityMassachusetts Port Authority
Massachusetts Port Authority, or Massport, is a port district in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It operates seaports and airports in eastern and central Massachusetts, mainly the Port of Boston. Its headquarters is located in the Logan Office Center, adjacent to Logan Airport in East Boston,...
(Massport). As Director of Administration and Finance, she served as Massport's Chief Financial Officer, leading an 80-person department responsible for all of the Authority's financial duties. She also led Massport's financial recovery following the September 11 attacks.
Secretary Administration and Finance
On December 6, 2006, Governor-elect Deval PatrickDeval Patrick
Deval Laurdine Patrick is the 71st and current Governor of Massachusetts. A member of the Democratic Party, Patrick served as an Assistant United States Attorney General under President Bill Clinton...
announced that Kirwan would be his Secretary Administration and Finance. She was the first person to be named to Patrick's cabinet and the first women to serve as Secretary of Administration and Finance. As Secretary of Administration and Finance, Kirwan managed over 2,500 state employees and was responsible for preparing the governor’s budget recommendation, developing and analyzing fiscal policy, developing the Commonwealth’s capital budget, and monitoring and managing the state government's budgetary activities. She also oversaw the activities of more than in agencies and divisions ranging from the Department of Revenue to the Divisions of Human Resources and Information Technology.
Salvatore DiMasi trial
Kirwan was a witness for the prosecution in the corruption trial of former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasiSalvatore DiMasi
Salvatore F. "Sal" DiMasi is a former Democratic state representative in Massachusetts. The former Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives originally joined the state legislature in 1979, as a member of the Democratic Party...
. She testified that DiMasi had an unusually persistent interest in the Commonwealth's acquisition of a data-collection software package from Cognos
Cognos
Cognos was an Ottawa, Ontario-based company making business intelligence and performance management software. Founded in 1969, at its peak Cognos employed almost 3,500 people and served more than 23,000 customers in over 135 countries.Originally Quasar Systems Limited, it adopted the Cognos...
. Kirwan stated that she believed that it was not right time for the government to purchase such as package and that the $15 million asking price was too much, but eventually purchased the software for a reduced price of $13 million in an effort to appease DiMasi.
Harvard University
On September 25, 2009, Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
's Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Michael D. Smith
Michael D. Smith
Michael D. Smith is the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University. He is also the John H. Finley, Jr. Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences...
announced that Kirwan become the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean for Administration and Finance effective November 2, 2009.