Gillespie serves as a member of the president’s cabinet and is responsible for the management of the University’s budget, financial and business affairs. Gillespie oversee offices and units within Finance & Facilities, Business Services, Student Financial Services, Budget and Contracts and Facilities Management, and will also serve as liaison to University Dining Services.

Gillespie joins Minnesota State Mankato after serving higher education institutions in finance, administration and business services positions for nearly 30 years.

While serving as vice president for business and finance for the past five years at Mount Mercy, Gillespie has also served as Mount Mercy’s acting CIO (January 2019 to present) and interim vice president of enrollment and marketing (June 2020-September 2021).

Prior to her current position at Mount Mercy University, Gillespie was campus/market president from 2015-2017 for Kaplan University/Kaplan, Inc., in Indianapolis.

Gillespie served the University of Phoenix/Apollo Group, Inc., in various positions from 1994-2013, including three vice president positions in Indianapolis from 2006-2013.

Gillespie earned Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration – Finance degrees from the University of Iowa.